The COVID-19 Pandemic has posed a major challenge to the education sector around the world since last year. It also shattered the dreams of many international students who wanted to pursue higher education abroad. Institutions all across the world were forced to postpone the start of the new academic year.
While a significant number of students did not give up their dreams of studying abroad, Ireland has begun to welcome international students for the academic year 2021-22, which begins in September. The Irish Government’s decision on admission to college and university campuses is expected to meet the hopes of all students, including Indians, who are awaiting admission.
Irish institutions have prioritised students’ physical and mental health, ensuring the best educational standards to meet the aspirations of foreign students. Ireland has taken a cautious approach to ensuring public health measures and students are welcomed into the new academic year by implementing adequate safety measures and limiting the number of participants.
Face-to-face learning
Ireland has a comprehensive national vaccination programme. The government expects to have a fully vaccinated adult population by the end of August/beginning of September. The Irish government has also placed an emphasis on face-to-face learning, which will provide students with a more in-depth education than books, tutorials, or lectures.
Virtual briefing for Indian students
Education in Ireland, in collaboration with the Embassy of Ireland and Visa office in New Delhi, hosted a virtual briefing for Indian students wanting to study in Ireland for the academic year 2021-22. The briefing included academics from higher education institutes discussing the ‘learning experience’ in Ireland and what to expect.
The virtual meeting then had a discussion with Indian graduates in Ireland who shared their experiences and answered relevant queries from students. Accommodation options for students in Ireland were also discussed. Students also had the opportunity to speak with a representative from the Irish government Visa Office one-on-one.
Addressing Indian students, Brendan Ward, Ireland’s Ambassador to India, said: “We are still in extraordinary times, and the pandemic has created challenges around the world. However, Indian students can be sure that Higher Educational Institutions in Ireland are committed to enabling you to achieve your dream of studying there. The Irish economy has been rebounding strongly following the challenges of COVID-19 and is expected to grow by over 7% in the year 2021. We also expect to see many work opportunities open up for international graduates that many of you may also seek to avail work opportunities after graduation.”
The Irish government has put in place extensive support for businesses to help them overcome the COVID-19 challenges. It also ensures that students have more part-time job opportunities in Ireland.
Mr Barry O’Driscoll, Senior Education Adviser for Education in Ireland said, “Ireland has a long history of welcoming international students and in recent years has become one of the top destinations for Indian students at undergraduate and postgraduate level. It provides the benefits of English speaking education in a country that’s at the heart and the cultural, economic and technologically leading edge of Europe.”
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