An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D., recently attended the Education in Ireland International Student Ambassador Awards Ceremony which took place in Farmleigh. This event honours the Student Ambassadors for their contribution in supporting the work of Enterprise Ireland in attracting international students to study in this country through the use of social media. The Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn T.D. was also present and presented the Student Ambassadors with Certificates of Recognition. Also honoured at this ceremony were the HEA Government of Ireland Scholars, on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.

The Student Ambassador programme, managed by Education in Ireland, is aimed at attracting top students from priority markets to study in Ireland and is part of a Government led International Scholarship Scheme. This programme is only in its third year and has already more than doubled in size. This year the programme included almost 50 international students from 10 countries including USA, India, Canada, China, Brazil, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia representing 23 higher education institutions across Ireland. This programme is another key part of Enterprise Ireland’s promotional efforts to raise awareness of Ireland as a centre of international education.

Marina Donohoe, Head of Education at Enterprise Ireland which manages the International Student Ambassador programme said: ‘Education in Ireland, the umbrella brand for promoting Irish higher education institutions in international markets, is actively targeting students from around the world and encouraging them to study in Ireland. The power of social media cannot be underestimated as we seek to interact with international students’.