From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has today published a report on Ireland’s International Education strategy.
The independent review examined Ireland’s strategy from 2016 to 2020 and carried out a full cost-benefit analysis on the value of international education to Ireland.
The report finds there has been significant success in achieving the overall objectives set out and quantifies its value at €2.38 billion to the Irish economy.
The next strategy will be a high-level document setting ambitious yet achievable strategic goals and objectives to 2025. All sectors involved in international activities were deeply impacted by the pandemic, and the new strategy will play a key role in the recovery of Ireland’s ERI sectors, and will provide a framework on which to develop and strengthen existing and new relationships.
Make a submission to the online consultation.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
“The report finds Ireland has been hugely successful in attracting international students to study and work here.
“Going forward, the review outlines opportunities for Ireland as the only English speaking country in the EU in the aftermath of Brexit as well as the impacts arising from the pandemic.
“Today we are starting the next phase of the strategy broadening it to Education, Research and Innovation.
“This is an opportunity to help shape our international education, research and innovation landscape and policy direction for years to come. A detailed and inclusive consultation process will be vital to creating the new strategy.
“We all know that our engagement internationally generates substantial economic benefits for Ireland. However, we cannot underestimate the value of the less tangible outputs such as the deepening of institution-to-institution relationships, and the forging of stronger strong cultural partnerships, to name but a few. More importantly, I want to see our higher education campuses to maximise their reputation as spaces open and welcoming of a diverse student population.
“We have seen over the last two years how the education, research and innovation sectors have adapted to the challenges of Covid-19. I want to build on these foundations to identify key strategic priorities, and actions, which could be implemented, as we set out on an ambitious journey to increase our international footprint.
“We want to hear from international education, research and innovation stakeholders, as well as the wider public about their views, and I invite them to respond to the consultation paper published today.”
A commitment to review and update of Ireland’s previous international education strategy, 'Irish Educated, Globally Connected: An International Strategy for Ireland 2016 to 2020,' was contained in the Programme for Government: 'Our Shared Future.'
In advance of drafting a new strategy, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) commissioned an independent review of the 2016 to 2020 strategy.
Indecon Research Economics was engaged to conduct this review and was tasked to:
Based on consultations with stakeholders, Indecon concluded that the strategy has been very effective in achieving its overall objectives, however, the implementation of a new strategy will play a significant role in post-pandemic recovery.
The establishment of DFHERIS offers the opportunity to bring the international education strategy and the research and innovation strategy together in an aligned framework. This, complemented by the Indecon review and wider public policy developments, provide the basis for the key drivers informing the new strategy.
The strategy will be developed in collaboration with stakeholders and key departments and agencies. It will align with the ambitions of the government’s Global Ireland strategy as well as the new research and innovation strategy, which is currently being developed.
DFHERIS has identified a number of strategic priorities and areas of action for consideration as part of the consultation process to develop the next national International Education, Research and Innovation Strategy. Among other issues, it is intended that the strategy will cover the following major themes: