John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 100: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered ways to increase the number of Irish student study placements in the BRIC countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35698/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government's international education strategy encourages education institutions to promote outward mobility of staff and students as part of their own institutional internationalisation strategies.

Many education institutions already provide opportunities for some of their students to spend a period of time studying overseas, including in partner institutions in some of the BRIC countries. These institutional initiatives supplement the significant opportunities provided by the European Union's Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013 which, each year, allows thousands of Irish students to study for a period in another European country.

At national level, the Farmleigh Fellowship, which has received substantial support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Enterprise Ireland, is providing Irish graduates with experience of doing international business in Asia and will build a critical mass of professionals who will spearhead a greater business, political and cultural engagement between Ireland and the region. The Fellowship was established in 2009 by a group of Singapore based Irish business people following the 2009 Global Irish Economic Forum at Farmleigh House. The programme provides an opportunity for up to 25 Irish graduates each year to work with Irish and multinational companies in Asia while pursuing a joint MSc from UCC and Nanyang Business School in Singapore.