ICOS Newsletter - Issue 30 (July 2010)
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Sections:
- International Education News
- Policy and Practice
- Services to Members
- Services to International Students
- Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme
- Organisational Matters
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International Education News
International education not all about the money
ICOS welcomes Ferdinand von Prondzynski's recent contribution to the discussion on international education when he cautioned against promoting international student recruitment in terms of its money making potential alone "if we present international student recruitment primarily (or possibly even at all) as an export-led, money-making activity, we won't be very successful at it" . Professor von Prondzynski's comments were published in his regular University Blog.
Education Ireland recently released its 2009/10 report, 'International Students in Higher Education in Ireland' which showed that over 25,000 international students were studying in Irish HEIs.
Positive Impact of Study Abroad
Research in the US has found that students who study abroad have improved academic performance upon returning to their home campus, higher graduation rates, and improved knowledge of cultural practices. This study represents further important confirmation of the benefits of an international education experience for students.
Visit the Glossari Project website for further information
Bogus Students Facing Global Crackdown
'Unscrupulous' recruitment agents who bring bogus overseas students into the UK are being targeted in an international initiative, reports BBC News. The British Council has for the first time brought together countries including Ireland, the UK, the US and Australia in an attempt to keep out such students and expose dishonest agents.
A meeting of immigration and education authorities in London was intended to co-ordinate a multi-national response. In particular there are concerns about agents fraudulently sending students from Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan and parts of Africa.
Higher-Education Beating Business in Adoption of Social Media Tools
A new study shows that Higher education institutions in the US are outstripping the business world in using social media - which begs the question of how Facebook and Twitter savvy the Irish higher education sector is by comparison. Ninety-five percent of US colleges and universities use at least one form of social media to recruit prospective students. This was among the key findings of the study, "Social Media and College Admissions: Higher-Ed Beats Business in Adoption of New Tools for Third Year.
Meanwhile, SloverLinett Strategies Inc. has just released a Summary of Findings from the First Comprehensive Study of Social Media Use by Schools, Colleges and Universities
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Policy and Practice
High Level Group on International Education
Sheila Power, ICOS Director, continues to represent the organisation on the HLG appointed by the Minister of Education and Skills to support the Department in developing an action plan which will drive Ireland's ambition to become a leading provider of high quality international education.
The most recent plenary meeting took place on 29th June, when members considered a draft report which will be refined and agreed before presentation to the Tanáiste and Minister for Education and Skills in the autumn.
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Services to Members
ICOS Training
ICOS delivered a well attended half-day training programme on cross-cultural awareness at National College of Ireland in June.
Louise Staunton represented ICOS at the recent USI Conference at GMIT in July and gave a presentation to incoming USI/Union officers on international students.
Upcoming training courses are planned for GMIT and NUI Galway in September.
Recent participant feedback on ICOS' training:
- "One of the best staff development courses we have had"
- "It will be of great benefit for me in my job”
- "Really enjoyed the day. Very interesting. Excellent lecturer"
- “Will recommend this course to my colleagues”
- “Good frameworks for thinking about international students in an inclusive way”
If you are interested in booking an ICOS training session at your institution or wish to discuss other training options, please contact Louise Staunton, Programme Manager and Trainer, ICOS, on (01) 231 5326 or lstaunton@icosirl.ie
Conferences/Events
Please Talk Conference
The first Please Talk Conference will take place on August 5 in UCD. The title of the conference will be "Communicating Student Services to Students." One of the central themes of Please Talk is to encourage students to access the services that are available to them on their campuses and in their communities. The Please Talk website aims to provide a resource for students to find out about what services there are.
UKCISA Conference 2010
Papers from the recent UK Council for International Student Affairs annual conference can be viewed at the UKISA website.
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Services to International Students
New USI Equality Officer
Isobel O'Connor, who took up her position on 1st July, is the new Equality Officer with the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) - contact equality@usi.ie.
ICOS looks forward to working with Isobel who will lead USI's Equality Campaign successfully championed by her predecessor, Linda Kelly.
Irish Re-entry visa delays
A notice from the Visa Public Office advises that it is experiencing 'an unprecedented surge' in applications for Re-entry Visas at the present time with the volume of applicants is currently exceeding the amount of tickets available each day. However, the statement says that staff are currently processing postal applications within 10 working days and advises postal application.
2010/11 Guide to Education in Ireland
The new Study in Ireland guide is available for download and online browsing.
It covers topics such as the cost of living in Ireland, funding and fees as well as giving providing college profiles.
ICI Racist Incident Support and Referral Service
The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) recently launched a new service, the Racist Incidents Support and Referral Service, for people who have experienced or witnessed racism. A range of support services from information to assistance in relation to making a complaint to An Garda Siochana or the Equality Tribunal will be offered. ICI will also collate and report regularly on the data they receive. The dedicated phone line - available Fridays 10am-12.30pm - is 01 645 8058
Find us on Facebook!
The ICOS page on Facebook brings regular updates on international education issues and news of student events, now with almost 300 followers.
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Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme
45 succeed in latest round of Fellowship awards
A total of 45 applicants were successful in being awarded 2010/11 scholarships through the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme. The awards are distributed amongst Irish Aid's partner countries to support ongoing development efforts.
26 Study Fellows will commence studies in Ireland this September, with 1 applicant being awarded a Fellowship to study in the UK. Fellows will be undertaking masters programmes in:
- MA in Development Studies, Kimmage Development Studies Centre (4)
- MSc Development Studies, UCD (2)
- MSc Agr (Environmental Resource Management), UCD (3)
- MA Development, DCU (1)
- MSc Environment and Development, TCD (1)
- MA Education, UCD (4)
- MSc in Global Health (10-11), TCD (3)
- MA in Gender, Globalisation and Rights, NUIG (1)
- Masters Social Science (Social Policy), UCC (2)
- LLM International Criminal Law, NUIG (1)
- Masters in Public Health (Nutrition), UCD (1)
- MSc Agr Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, UCD (3)
- Master of Laws (LLM) Water Law, University of Dundee (1)
The remaining 18 candidates were awarded 'in region' Fellowships to study in institutions in Africa and Asia, an expanding area of the programme.
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Organisational Matters
New Institutional Members welcomed
Two new members were admitted to ICOS Council following acceptance of their membership applications at ICOS' recent AGM on 10th June. They are HSI Limerick Business School and Champlain College Dublin.
New ICOS Board
ICOS' AGM, held in the Academy Plaza Hotel in Dublin, also saw the election of two new members to ICOS' Board and the re-election of some existing members. On 1st July, Isobel O'Connor succeeded Linda Kelly as USI's nominee to the Board.
The full composition of the 2010-2011 board is:
- Ann Flynn, DIT
- Nicola Carroll, NCI
- Louise Kelly, NUIG
- Brian McNamara, WIT
- Genevieve Daly, DBS
- Erik Lithander, UCD
- Kevin Geoghegan, GCD - New
- Audrey Byrne, DCU - New
- Isobel O'Connor, USI - New
We would like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing members Suzanne Buckley (UCC), Angela Mitchell (DCU) and Linda Kelly (USI) for their commitment and loyalty to ICOS over the past number of years. Particular appreciation goes to Suzanne Buckley who has made an enormous contribution, serving on the Board for a total of six years, including as ICOS Chair for the last two years.
The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Thursday 2nd September, 2010
Death of former ICOS' Accounts Officer, Liam Bourke
ICOS staff and members send their sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Liam Bourke who sadly passed away recently. Liam had been a great friend and servant of ICOS for over 20 years serving as Accounts Officer from 1983 to 2004. He had previously shown his interest and commitment to the welfare of international students in Ireland as a volunteer with the Overseas Club going back to the 60's and 70's. May he rest in peace.
2010 ICOS Seminar:
"Enhancing the student experience - what do students really need?"
Despite the late drama of losing a key note speaker, ICOS's seminar on 10th June was a great success. Over 50 people attended the lively event which included both presentations and workshops.