Michael Garvey, representing the embassy of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, said the Irish government is keen to encourage more Malaysian students to choose Ireland for their higher studies.
Malaysian students have been going to Ireland to pursue their higher education studies for over 65years, he said.
And education links are a key foundation stone of Irish-Malaysian economic and cultural linkages.
On average, around 1,500 Malaysian students participate in the Irish higher education system each year, most of whom are studying medicine, but the Irish government is keen that students also look at other disciplines and degrees such as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), science and technology, engineering and business studies.
While Ireland has always excelled in medical education, other higher technology disciplines are now dominating the Irish education scene.
Ireland’s economy is based on high-tech production to such an extent that the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recently reported that Ireland is now one of the top three exporters of software in the world and that the Irish education system is seen as one of the best in the world in terms of producing graduates suited to international high-tech business.
It is well recognized internationally that one of the keys to the successful development of Ireland’s economy has been the high quality of the Irish education system and they graduates it now produces.
The higher education system in Ireland consists of universities, institutes of technology, and a number of private independent colleges.
The universities and institutes of technology are autonomous and self-governing, but are part of the state system.
Universities
There are nine universities in Ireland-two in Northern Ireland and seven in the Republic of Ireland. Trinity College Dublin (TCD) is the oldest university, with a history of over 500 years.
The National University of Ireland (NUI) is a federal institute comprising four constituent universities, University College Dublin (UCD). University College Cork (UCC), NUI Galway and NUI Maynooth.
The NUI also has three recognized colleges which award university degrees:
- The National College of Art and Design (NCAD)
- The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)
- St Angela’s College of Education
The University of Limerick (UL) and Dublin City University (DCU) are Ireland’s newest universities and we founded in 1989.
The two universities in Northern Ireland are the University Of Ulster (UU) and Queen’s University, Belfast (QUB).
In addition to offering degrees at bachelors, masters, and doctorate levels over the full range of disciplines, the universities and colleges also undertake research in many areas.
Undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas are also available and universities are also involved in continuing and distance education programmes.
Institutes of technology
There are 14 institutes of technology located through-out Ireland, offering programmes at degree, national diploma and national certificate levels in a variety of subjects.
Their qualifications are externally validated by Ireland’s national certification authority, which ensures that their qualifications reach the highest international standards.
Many of the institutes of technology also run postgraduate diploma and degree programmes, both taught and through research.
Independent third level colleges
There colleges offer programmes leading to degrees, diplomas and certificates which are recognized by Ireland’s national certification authority or other external accreditation institutions (such as universities).
Courses offered include accountancy and business studies, law, humanities, hotel and catering, tourism studies and art.
- For details on all education courses available in Ireland, visit www.educationireland.com
In Malaysia, interested parties can contact The Commercial Section Of Ireland, Embassy of Ireland, Ireland House, 5.0I South Block, The Amp Walk, 218 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, or call 03-21640618.
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