International students key to future of Dublin

Today in the Mansion House, students representing all corners of the globe gathered from the Universities in the Dublin Region to be honoured by the Lord Mayor. At Dublin’s International Student Welcome, the Lord Mayor emphasized the importance of international students to the future of Dublin society and economy.

“Attracting international students to Dublin will remain an important element in the development of our economy. These students bring a wide variety of skills, experience, energy and a global view to enrich research and business development.”

The Lord Mayor also stressed the need to change national government policies that make entry for students more difficult in Ireland than in the UK. “The issue of easing restrictions on student visas has been well publicised but little concrete action has been taken” stated Lord Mayor Breen. “It is important that we adopt a more integrated and open policy in awarding study visas, ensuring that we attract students from every corner of the Globe.”

The immediate value to the Dublin economy of international students was highlighted by Robert Flood, DIT’s Head of International Affairs. Flood estimates that for every hundred students living in Dublin, fifteen local jobs in phone companies, supermarkets, shops, restaurants and other services are supported. “Between DIT and TCD alone that equates to 214 jobs and over €14million to the local economy in Dublin City.”

Peter Finnegan, Director for International Relations & Research with City Council, believes that Dublin could have a “realistic target of gaining 3% of the international student market, as New Zealand has, and could bring €1.5 billion annually into our economy. Such a target for Dublin is achievable if the international branding is clear, the national entry policies transparent, and the population sentiment among Dubliners remains open and welcoming.” He emphasized the long term benefit to Dublin in terms of foreign direct investment and opening up new market opportunities: “International education is a means of building up networks and contacts with potential business and public service leaders in other countries. This is particularly important in terms of Ireland’s capacity to attract investment from and trade with the emerging economic giants of the coming decades such as China, India, Russia and Brazil.”