With its fast-growing economy, Ireland has emerged a global centre for leading IT companies such as BM, Paypal, Facebook, Intel, LinkedIn and Google. The country leads in pharma, biochemistry, IT and high-end engineering and technology.
Indian students who wish to pursue higher education in the fields of engineering, technology and communications, environmental science, literature and history and peace and conflict studies, prefer Ireland. “In fact the number of applicants has risen by 149 per cent in 2013 and this is immensely encouraging,” says James Mackrill, manager, Enterprise Ireland (EI). He was in Chennai recently to participate in a one-day Ireland Student Education Fair. EI is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. There are about 1000 Indian students currently pursuing various courses in Ireland and the number is expected to go up to 2000 this year.
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Another important aspect of education in Ireland is the seed funding that is available for international students for their start-ups in Ireland. “We at EI promote indigenous business and also internationalise it if the business idea is good.
A life-time opportunity such as this can benefit Indian students, and this can be a breakthrough for many,” he says. Under this scheme, students are supported not only with funding, but also with management training, necessary contacts and business opportunities. “Any good business model or idea will be supported by the EI. Once this business idea is successfully developed in Ireland, it will be then made international. And interestingly, Indians and the Irish seem to have somewhat similar entrepreneurship spirit,” he adds.
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There are seven universities and 14 institutions of technology in Ireland. Students who complete their postgraduation here get good placements in Ireland and globally as well. The thriving and dynamic Irish-owned businessess mean job openings for Indian students (there are 5400 technology companies and 95 per cent of them are Irish). Currently, 40 per cent of jobs are offered to Indians. The institutions here are able to directly establish contact with the top management people and this helps the students. The industry-academia bond is pretty strong in Ireland.
International students can stay back for one more year after the completion of their course and gain work experience in Ireland. This provides them the benefit of international work experience. “Academic life and business life are well-balanced in the Irish culture,” Mr Mackrill says. More information pertaining to studying in Ireland is available at: www.educationinireland.com