From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan TD has today announced that the application process for TrustEd Ireland, a new international education mark, will open in September, 2024.
Speaking today, Minister O’Donovan said:
"The introduction of TrustEd Ireland is a significant milestone in our mission to position Ireland as a destination of choice for international learners, researchers and innovators.
"TrustEd Ireland will build on and enhance the existing quality assurance infrastructures in higher education.
"The mark will be transformative for the English language education sector in Ireland, which will be placed on a statutory footing for the first time.”
TrustEd Ireland is a quality mark that will be awarded to higher education and English language education providers who have demonstrated that they meet national standards to ensure a high-quality experience for international students, from enrolment to completion of their programme of education and training.
TrustEd Ireland will be administered and authorised by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the state agency responsible for promoting the quality, integrity and reputation of Ireland's tertiary education system.
This quality mark is underpinned by new statutory processes including:
Minister O’Donovan added:
"TrustEd Ireland will be one of the most robust schemes for the regulation of international education in existence globally.
"It will be the only statutory English language education inspection scheme in the world that includes a due diligence evaluation, and this evaluation will be rigorous.
"The quality assurance systems in place to support learners, coupled with the mandatory requirement for education providers to participate in the new statutory Learner Protection Fund, will serve as a message to international learners that the education experience they will receive in Ireland is secure, of the highest quality and globally recognised.
"I am pleased to announce that the application process for TrustEd Ireland will open in September 2024.”
The fees and charges associated with the TrustEd Ireland international education mark, due diligence and Learner Protection Fund have been approved by Minister O’Donovan and noted by Government.
A formal launch event for TrustEd Ireland will take place on 25 September.