Strategic Plan 2009-11
The strategy for 2009-2011 sought to build on what ICOS achieved over the previous 3 years and was the result of an external evaluation of our last strategic plan and wide ranging consultations with our members, supporters and key stakeholders.
Summary
What emerged is that ICOS members’ were ambitious regarding the organisation’s future. They saw ICOS as a key independent agency which uniquely focuses on international students’ rights and welfare and represents the collective view of members to Government, the media and the general public. Members wished to see ICOS build its profile as an advocate for student rights and particularly saw an opportunity for ICOS to work with other stakeholders on the protection of students through the implementation of appropriate quality assurance measures.
Members also wished to see a continuation of ICOS long established relationship with Irish Aid on the management of the Fellowship Training Programme (FTP). International education opportunity should not just be the preserve rich nations or wealthy groups within countries and Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) recognise their social global responsibilities and are happy to be associated with the FTP which seeks to build capacity for development in Ireland’s partner countries which are amongst the poorest in the world. The management of the FTP in turn gives ICOS the sort of practical experience that lends it authority and credibility when communicating with members on student welfare issues.
ICOS’ services to members including providing a learning and networking forum, filling information gaps, and the provision of training have been appreciated in the past and members wished to see these services continued and built upon over the next period. As well as providing information to members, it was felt that ICOS had a continuing role to play in the collation and provision of independent information directly to international students mainly via its website. ICOS could and should also remain a locus where international students can have their individual complaints against institutions or other authorities heard.
ICOS’ members felt that the organisation has grown and developed over the past few years. A high quality staff had produced a good return on limited resources. More needed to be done, however, to contribute to ICOS’ sustainability into the future and this could best be achieved by developing additional income streams mainly through provision of services which capitalised on ICOS’ existing expertise.