Tempus Info Day Amman 21 January 2013 Gerry O’Sullivan National Contact Point Ireland

National Context National Strategy Bologna Process International Strategy

National Context

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There are more than 40 higher education institutions in Ireland, including 7 universities Dublin Institute of Technology 13 institutes of technology 6 colleges of education – teacher training (Partly) publicly-funded small colleges There are also a number of private third-level colleges - including Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Future: Reduction to 24 (Jan 2013)

Demographic Context

Data source: Philip O’Connell, David Clancy & Selina McCoy (2006) Who went to college in 2004? The persistence of inequality

National Strategy To 2030

Development of a National Strategy Switch in focus from working with individual institutions to developing the system as a whole Previous priority of improving participation rates to be tempered with a greater focus on efficiency of provision and diversification of modes of participation – Institutions responsible for their course offerings but the HEA has responsibility for efficiency of entire sector; potential tension between both responsibilities – Performance funding mechanism

Current Higher Education challenges Economic recovery Labour Market Activation Innovation and creativity must be promoted at all levels of the education system Skills profile of population vs. Skills Needs of the Economy ICT Skills Needs & e.g. Construction sector reskilling

Current Higher Education challenges Participation and flexibility of provision – Non-traditional entrants & flexibility of course offerings to meet diverse student population needs Managing growing demand despite effective fall in per- capita funding levels – CAO Demand and Demographics – Broader entry cohort Quality and standards

National Strategy National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 – The centrality of Teaching and Learning to the mission of Irish higher education – Greater innovation in the design of higher education – Greater flexibility in the delivery: 39 – 24 institutions – Integration of teaching and research – Continuing professional development through collegiate networks

Bologna Process

Degree Structure Bachelor/Master/Doctoral European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) Recognition of Awards/Lisbon National Framework of Qualifications European Diploma Supplement (DS) Ireland well placed to implement all Key Bologna Actions

International Strategy

The context is global and the international dimension is vital

Rank Country of Origin IrelandOffshore & distance2011/ /2011 Difference 64 Jordan

Characteristics Ireland as a small, open European economy relies on international engagement An internationalised education system has a crucial role to play in our international profile and attractiveness In context of national strategy for economic renewal, the government established High level Group on international education in 2010 to: Develop a national strategy Co-ordinate a national approach Report Investing in Global Relationships: Ireland's International Education Strategy published September 2010

Vision The most compelling rationale for internationalisation is investment in future global relationships with Students educated in Ireland – our future advocates overseas Educational institutions – our teaching and research partners Countries – our business and trading partners Internationalisation enhances the quality of learning, teaching and research And will contribute to Ireland ambition to become a global innovation hub

Objectives and Targets to 2015 Increase: Total international HE students 50% by >12,000 to 38,000 Full-time int’l HE students 50% by 8,500 to 25,500 Int’l students doing advanced research by 50% to 3,800 Taught postgraduate int’l students from 13% to 20% to 5,100 Exchange and JYA from outside EEA to 6,000 from 3,600 English-language students by 25% to 120,000 Offshore students by 50% to 4,500 Economic impact by €300 m to €1.2 bn Strengthen institutional links with priority partner-countries Increase outward staff and student mobility

Key findings: Numbers of international students registered in Irish higher education institutions 32,000 (2012) - an increase of around 2% over last year’s figures. The composition of Ireland’s international student cohort is also changing in important ways. PhD student numbers have increased by 35% and now account for 20% of Ireland's international students – Ireland’s performance in this area is above international norms. There has also been a 6% increase in full-time degree student numbers. International students have increased under all the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) fields. Revenue growth has continued to be strong. International education is now estimated to be a €1 billion sector for the Irish economy, with international students in higher education contributing around €700m and English language students around €300m.

The best performing priority market has been Malaysia, which saw 10% growth in student numbers. While growth in other priority markets has been more modest, a renewed focus on India, China, the US and Ireland’s participation in Brazil’s Science without Borders Programme should see stronger growth in these markets in 2013 and beyond. The crucial importance of transnational education (TNE) to the global expansion in international education - and therefore to the future prospects of Ireland in this sphere - is becoming obvious. The rate at which Irish HEIs are rising to this challenge is mixed, but already this data indicates that 23% of Ireland's international students are offshore and this had led to a shift in the profiles of some countries of origin. For example, 46% of Chinese students are now studying offshore and the numbers based in Ireland have dropped by 10% (300) in one year.

Ten Strategic Actions (1) Partnership and collaboration – greater collaboration within & between government, HE sector and English language sector, coordinated by High Level Group, with 4 Working Groups:  Implementation, market development & access (Chair: Department of Education and Skills)  Sectoral Development (Chair: HEA)  Quality Assurance and Student Experience (Chair: Quality and Qualifications Ireland)  Branding and Promotion (Chair: Enterprise Ireland)  Monitoring & Benchmarking – HEA & EI to develop database & Annual Report Renew Education Ireland Brand and strengthen marketing Quality – Quals & QA Bill, Quality mark, Code of Practice Strengthened immigration and visa regime Comprehensive HEI internationalisation strategies Develop relevant international education offerings, based on HEI capacity and student needs

Consistent & supportive government policies and actions High Level Group as key mechanism Small Strategic Fund Three new Scholarship programmes: 1.The Government of Ireland International Scholarships 2.The New Frontiers Programme 3.The Government of Ireland English Language Educators Scholarship Strengthen networks of influence – alumni associations and contacts; HEI’s with embassy & EI support Outward mobility by staff and students – part of HEI’s strategic plans North-South and EU co-operation

Three new Scholarship programmes: The Government of Ireland International Scholarships will seek to attract high calibre international students. One year €10000 for 30 scholarships The New Frontiers Programme will be open to staff and students in Irish higher education institutions that hold a Quality Mark and who wish to undertake a period of study in an institution in a non-English-speaking partner-country outside the EEA. €2500 from State for 30 scholarships The Government of Ireland English Language Educators’ Scholarship will provide for a period of study in Ireland by talented English-language educators who will become advocates for Ireland in their home country. €5000 for 15 Scholarships

Conclusion Strategy on International Education comes as part of wider response to need for economic renewal in Ireland Focus is on Ireland's international relationships, particularly on international student mobility and on educational links with future long- term trading partners However, it is not simply about trade: There is recognition of the wider perspectives of the internationalisation process, including collaborative institutional and research links, internationalisation of curricula and engagement in multilateral initiatives, such as the Bologna process. There is also recognition that the European dimension is crucial to the Irish education system and an active ongoing commitment to the EU programmes is essential.