International Affairs
Ireland is an active member of the European Union and plays an important role in its economic and political activities. Long renowned for its culture, it has a strong tradition of developmental and educational links with other nations.
Immigration has brought an attractive mixture of nationalities and cultures into the country. The country was voted the best place to live in the world, according to a “quality of life” assessment by ‘The Economist’ in November 2005. Researchers took into account not only income, but other factors considered important to people’s satisfaction and well-being.
The IUA works closely with the international offices of the seven universities on a number of issues including international student recruitment, marketing of the university sector internationally, joint participation at student fairs and exhibitions.
Links to the International websites of each of the seven universities are as follows:
Dublin City University http://www.dcu.ie/international/
NUI Galway http://www.nuigalway.ie/international/
NUI Maynooth http://international.nuim.ie/
Trinity College Dublin http://www.tcd.ie/ISA/
University College Cork http://www.ucc.ie/en/ProspectiveStudents/InternationalStudents/
University College Dublin http://www.ucd.ie/international/
University of Limerick http://www.ul.ie/internationaleducation/
IUA International Officers Group:
Larry Taylor- NUIM (Chair)
Liam O'Dochartaigh - UL
John McPartland - TCD
Anna Cunningham - NUIG
Eric Lithander / Alex Metcalfe- UCD
Louise Tobin - UCC
Clare Bohan - DCU
Marketing the International Sector:
In order to strengthen the marketing effort of the seven universities on the international stage a 24 page joint international brochure (June 2010) was produced by the IUA for use by the international offices at student fairs and in other promotional activities. As well as general information pages on higher education in Ireland, each university has its own double page spread giving an overview of the university and its faculties.
The Fourth Level Ireland Brochure featuring graduate studies information can be downloaded in or viewed online in Mandarin, Spanish and English. Click on this link to access www.i-studentadvisor.com/iua
Hard copies of all brochures can be requested from lia.osullivan@iua.ie.
ICOS – The Irish Council for International Students:
The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) has been supporting the General Welfare of International Students since 1970.
The council offers support and advice on a diversity of issues that international students will encounter from funding, healthcare and social welfare to information on Irish food and weather.
To find out more information on studying and living in Ireland visit the ICOS website. This can be accessed through the following link: http://www.icosirl.ie/
The Erasmus Mundus Scheme:
The HEA is keen to facilitate opportunities for students, lecturers and staff to study, teach or work in other member states. In succeeding this objective, the HEA is involved in a range of international activities and programmes. Click on the following link to find out more: http://www.hea.ie/en/node/983
Erasmus Mundus is a worldwide cooperation and mobility programme that aims to enhance quality in higher education and promote intercultural understanding. The scheme provides financial support for institutions and scholarships for individuals. For a more detailed look at what funding is available click the following link to the European commission website:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/external-relation-programmes/doc72_en.htm
