ICOS Newsletter - Issue 29 (May 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

EC study: Ireland produces most highly-employable graduates

International recruiters believe that Ireland produces the most highly-employable graduates in the world, according to a European Commission study of third-level education reported in the Sunday Business Post.

Universities in other countries have rated Ireland’s universities as ‘‘excellent’’ in the report, which was prepared for the Commission’s Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs. The EC report was based on a study of the efficiency and effectiveness of public spending on tertiary education. It found that Ireland was the top of the list of countries, which recruiters found were producing the ‘‘most employable’’ graduates.

Foreign Students not ‘cash cows’ says British Council

As international students reached record numbers in the UK, including an increase of 9.4% for non European students, the British Council issued a warning to Universities not to treat overseas students as “cash cows" at its March conference, entitled 'Going Global'. (For more see BBC News).

Fine Gael policy and the International Student Sector

More than 6,000 jobs could be created and revenue could double to €1.8bn if Ireland makes a concerted effort to bring international students here, according to a new policy document from Fine Gael, launched in March. The party argues that Ireland’s “disappointing” share of the lucrative education market could be doubled by more “joined up” thinking among Government agencies. (For more see The Irish Times)

However, responding to Fine Gael’s plan in The College View, DCU president Ferdinand von Prondzynski warned that it may lead to international students being used as cash generators to subsidise the cost of educating Irish students. He added that international students would not come here if they thought they were being used for this purpose. The president also questioned Fine Gael’s assertion that doubling the number of international students would result in the creation of 6,000 jobs, labeling the figure “bizarre and irrelevant”.

Indian students struggle to receive refunds from Australian colleges

Thousands of Indian students are struggling to retrieve refunds of their pre-paid tuition fees from Australian education institutions after being unable to secure visas under tightened rules.

The problems follow recruitment shortfalls and the collapse of a number of colleges in a crisis also hastened by much-publicised racist attacks on Indian students already studying in the country.

Australian education industry experts estimate that the outstanding fees could run into millions of dollars. However, to-date the Australian government has not disclosed the total amount. » Read more

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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 Science (now 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.

There have been two plenary meetings and numerous sub-group meetings since the HLG was appointed. Officials in DES are now working on a draft action plan based on proposals produced under three main strands. These proposals are available for viewing by ICOS members in the members' area of ICOS’ website. The HLG will meet again towards the end of June.

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Services to Members

ICOS Training

ICOS gave a well-received training session on ‘Teaching in an intercultural environment’ at Trinity College Dublin in March. A training course is scheduled for UCD in May.

Recent participant feedback on ICOS’ training has been excellent:

• “Really enjoyed the day. Very interesting. Excellent lecturer”
• “One of the best staff development courses we have had”
• “Good practical advice re teaching”
• “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

CSSI AGM

The annual Confederation of Student Services in Ireland conference will take place on June 16 in Waterford IT. The CSSI website is currently under development but the organisation can be contacted via cssireland@gmail.com

UKCISA Conference

The UK Council for International Student Affairs will hold its 2010 Conference from 12th-14th July at the University of York.

Going Global Conference

Sessions from the March 2010 UK Going Global Conference can now be viewed online at the British Council website.

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Services to International Students

Find us on Facebook!

The ICOS page on Facebook brings regular updates on international education issues and news of student events, now with well over 200 followers.

Presentation in Limerick

In March, Colin Tannam gave a presentation in University of Limerick (UL) on work permit schemes for non-EEA students who wish to work in Ireland after completing their studies as part of the college’s careers seminar for international students.

African students conference

On Saturday 1st May, African students in colleges, institutes and universities in Ireland participated in a first All African Students Conference at TCD, held with the support of ICOS and USI. The opening address was be delivered by Cllr. Rotimi Adebari, the first African Mayor in Ireland and himself a postgraduate student.

The event formed part of a process of community building aimed at fostering solidarity and welfare for African students and those of African descent in Ireland through academic, cultural and social avenues. The ultimate goal is the formation of a new student association involving the widest possible number of students.

INIS message re temporary withdrawal of telephone services

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) recently posted the following message on its website regarding temporary suspension of its telephone services:

“We are unable to provide Immigration, Citizenship or Visa helpline services at the present time. However, if you have an urgent query, please submit it in writing to the contact address indicated on the relevant section of this website. Should you wish to contact this Office by email, please ensure that you include your full postal address as, for the present, email enquiries are being responded to by post. This disruption is very much regretted.”

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Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme

Study Fellows visit Irish Aid staff in Limerick

Recipients of 2009-10 Fellowships visited Irish Aid's Limerick headquarters during April for a seminar aimed at sharing information and strengthening engagement at a programme level. They were accompanied on the visit by a number of Fellows pursuing PhDs in Ireland under the Programme of Strategic Cooperation between Irish Aid and Higher Education and Research Institutes. The seminar recognised the potential of Study Fellows to contribute significantly to Ireland’s development efforts on their return to their home countries on completion of their studies. The day included sessions exploring development issues in areas such as sustainable agriculture and water, the education and health sectors, governance and human rights.

L-R: Joyce Mpalani Magala, Minister Peter Power T.D., Clement Moonga and Abigail Khonje

Partner country strategies for Malawi, Uganda and Zambia were explored and presentations were received from fellows Joyce Mpalani Magala (Uganda), Clement Moonga (Zambia) and Abigail Achiona Khonje (Malawi).

Minister of State for Overseas Development, Mr Peter Power T.D., hosted a lunchtime reception for the study fellows. In his address, he reconfirmed Irish Aid’s commitment to the Fellowship Programme saying that education was fundamental to development and Irish Aid wanted to do more to build relationships with current and former study fellows as they had a key contribution to make in terms of informing policy and helping to implement Irish Aid’s programmes in partner countries. Minister Power ended by thanking ICOS for their excellent service over many years in supporting Irish Aid in administering the fellowship programme.

ICOS Director Sheila Power said she was delighted to be associated with the organisation of the seminar and stressed the importance of the event in building on-going relationship with study fellows which would extend beyond their stay in Ireland.

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Organisational Matters

ICOS Annual Seminar and AGM

Documentation and official notification will shortly issue for ICOS’ 2010 AGM and Seminar scheduled for Thursday 10th June in the Academy Plaza Hotel Dublin.

In an environment of cutbacks and dwindling resources, the seminar will explore what constitutes good practice in international student support, “What do students really need ?”

We are delighted to have Tim Rogers, International Education Consultant who has been involved in a European research project on this subject, as our key contributor. We also plan to run workshops on complementary themes.

Please keep 10th June free for this opportunity to meet colleagues and discuss important issues.