Annual Report 2006

The level of internationalisation achieved by higher education institutions has increasingly become a yardstick of quality and student mobility plays a big part in this process. In 2006, Irish tertiary institutions attracted over 25,000 international students to these shores generating revenues estimated at over Eur335 million for the economy. International students also contribute to Ireland’s prosperity by providing a continuous pool of skilled labour to fill skill-shortage gaps in our labour market.

International students make an important contribution to Ireland and Irish life which extends well beyond economic considerations. A point which is often overlooked. They bring new ideas which enrich our learning environment and enhance our appreciation of other cultures and worldviews. International students challenge institutions to adapt and extend their range of student support services which result in better services for all students, particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds. They also ensure that all students and indeed staff in host institutions are encouraged to address key contemporary concerns such as integration and cross-cultural communication at an early stage.

Being an international student is a wonderful opportunity. Unfortunately however, some students encounter obstacles and problems which negatively impact on their experience while in Ireland; visa and immigration procedures are often cumbersome and costly; students are vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous operators who promise educational services which they never intend or are incapable of delivering. In order to survive as students in Ireland, many accept jobs with unacceptable pay and conditions or live in below standard accommodation; some report incidents of racism both on and off campus and others feel isolated, lonely or poorly understood by those who work with them.

Against this backdrop, ICOS and its member institutions continued to work in 2006 to create a more favourable environment for international students. The organisation’s operational priorities for the year included: policy work particularly in relation to the rights of legitimate non-EEA students to work in Ireland, both while studying and after graduation; delivery of high quality information and training services to members which would increase cross-cultural awareness and communication skills among staff in HEI’s and administration of aspects of the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme. In addition, some preliminary work was carried out and plans developed for an international students’ forum to be held in UCC in November, 2007. ICOS’ achievements under each of these headings are outlined in the pages which follow.

We would like to thank all those who contributed to the work of ICOS in 2006. We appreciate the co-operation and funding we receive from Irish Aid in relation to Fellowship Programme management. We thank all our member representatives and especially those who served on committees or attended other meetings during the year. We would like to acknowledge and thank the outgoing Chair, Ms Marie Lawlor, for her drive and enthusiasm during her time in office and finally, we pay tribute to a small but dedicated staff team in the ICOS office in Donnybrook on whose work and on-going commitment we have come to rely on.

Philip Curtis (Chair)
Sheila Power (Director)