Published: Wednesday, 28th October, 2009 5:30pm

AIT head critical of slow progress in attracting overseas students to Ireland

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Janet O'Rourke Glasson who graduated with a Bachelor of Business(Hons) add-on from Athlone Institute of Technology.Pictured (L-R) Barry Donnelly Lecturer AIT, Margaret O'Rourke, President of AIT Prof Ciaráin Ó Catháin, Janet and Eamonn O'Rourke. Pic:Padraig Devaney

The President of Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) has criticised the government for not prioritising the internationalisation of Irish higher education.

Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin said that the Department of Education and Science had made a virtue of announcing new schemes and initiatives, but very little real progress had been made in promoting Ireland overseas.

"Attracting greater numbers of international students would improve the funding situation of Irish third level colleges. The Minister should focus on areas where we can compete successfully and generate the resources needed for a vibrant higher education sector, rather than imposing further obstacles in the paths of Irish students," he said.

"Countries such as Australia and New Zealand have made enormous strides in attracting undergraduate and postgraduate students to attend their higher education institutions, while Ireland is left languishing behind. Creating a knowledge-based economy involves communicating the strengths of our education system far and wide, but this does not seem to extend to the recruitment of students and researchers," he stated. The President made his remarks at graduation ceremonies in AIT last week.

One thousand seven hundred graduates were conferred over two days of ceremonies in Athlone. Prof. Ó Catháin told the graduates that while the current climate posed challenges for obtaining employment, "an investment in education is an enabler that opens new pathways of creative thinking and collaboration. It confers knowledge and insight; it empowers and gives confidence. It is the building blocks of a brighter future."

"AIT graduates," he said, "will be amongst those who will lead the building of an innovation island. The skills sets you have gained in business and humanities, engineering and science, are precisely those demanded by a knowledge-based economy."

He paid tribute to the support and encouragement offered by families to those who were undertaking a third level qualification. "Today we also acknowledge the commitment and support of your parents, guardians and partners, when they see the rewards of having made those sacrifices. Our graduates deserve our congratulations, but so too do those who have stood behind you," he concluded.