Irish institutes to receive Saudi students

The Institutes of Technology of Athlone, Galway-Mayo and Waterford have announced significant contracts with the Technical Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  The announcement was made during the Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Saudi Arabia and Qatar led by the Tanaiste, Mary Coughlan TD.

Over the last 2-3 years, the Institutes of Technology have worked with Enterprise Ireland to develop and further links with TVTC.  TVTC is a government institution which is responsible for the development of the workforce in the of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in both technical and vocational education.

Following a joint workshop earlier in 2009, AIT, GMIT and WIT are to collectively receive 200 TVTC scholarship students over a 3 to 4 year period.  The students will study a range of courses including Engineering, Science and Business.

The total spend in the Irish economy is estimated at €20 million including fees and expenditure in the local economy.

The President of Athlone Institute of Technology, Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin   said: 'This continues the development of the international profile for AIT and in such times as these, it’s a great boost to the economy in Athlone and the wider region.'

Marion Coy, President of GMIT welcomed the signing of the contracts which follows on from the very successful delivery of a series of short programmes over the last 3 years.  'This is a further vote of confidence in the quality of the Institute of Technology sector in Ireland,' she said.

'The Waterford Institute of Technology is delighted to play a role in the development of technological education in Saudi Arabia,' said Dr Venie Martin, Head of Development in WIT.  'This will enhance the diversity of the student profile in the Institute and the further internationalisation of the city of Waterford.'