Strategy's focus on quality welcome but momentum must be sustained

The Chair of ICOS, Nicola Carroll, acknowledged the whole-of-Government approach in the development of the strategy and welcomed the consultations which had taken place with the sector in the lead up to its publication.

"ICOS is very heartened by the strong emphasis on quality in the strategy and the importance of ensuring that every student who comes to Ireland has a positive experience", Ms Carroll said. "It will be very important now to ensure that momentum is not lost and progress will be made as planned on implementation of the promised measures including the Code of Practice and Quality Mark which will offer the necessary security and protection to genuine students".

Ms Carroll also noted the Minister's remark in her foreword to the strategy that Ireland would not seek to position itself as 'a mass-market player'.

"The driving force of international education policy should be neither a narrow focus on student numbers nor one of cherrypicking an educational elite," emphasised Carroll. "ICOS would like to see that all students who wish to apply to study here and who come to Ireland are valued and treated equitably throughout the visa application process as well as by the institutions that host them and by the wider society in which they live and work".

The strategy also confirms what most stakeholders have been saying for a long time, that success in student recruitment will not be achieved without supportive visa, immigration and labour market access policy. While ICOS has not yet had the opportunity to study all the proposals in the new student immigration regime in detail, and may well disagree with some, the general thrust of the policies, the alignment with the quality mark and the engagement with the sector, is positive.

"ICOS, is committed to working with the Government , with student organisations and educational institutions to ensure that this new strategy is a success and achieves its ambitious targets", said Ms Carroll.

For more information please contact Nicola Carroll, ICOS Chairperson, tel: 01-4498653

Note to editors: The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) is an independent non-profit network of educational institutions, NGOs and individuals interested in international education and working with government and other agencies to promote good policies and best practice in relation to the recruitment, access and support of international students in Ireland.