http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0407/education.html
RTE News

HEA plans to double foreign students

April 7, 2008

The Higher Education Authority has said it wants to double the number of full-time foreign university students in Ireland over the next ten years.

It says the Irish education system should adopt a more international focus and do more to integrate non-Irish students into activities at universities and colleges.

There are 12,000 non-Irish third level students now studying in Ireland, with more from the United States - 2,416 students, or 20% - than any other single country. Malaysia has the next most, at 1,134. Britain, Germany, and China follow on the list, to round out the top five. Overall, there are students from 114 different countries studying in Ireland.

The number of foreign students has increased by 170% over the past decade.

Tom Boland, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Authority, says third level campuses have an obligation to tackle discrimination and actively encourage all students to play a full part in college life.

Speaking at the start of Ireland's Intercultural and Anti-Racism Week, he said those who come here to study must be given 'the full Irish welcome for which we are famous'.