In its recent initiative, the Global Citizens 2030, International Talent and Innovation Strategy, launched on January 15, the government emphasizes, "Today's international learners are tomorrow's leaders, employees, researchers, social champions, climate advocates, entrepreneurs, and investors.
"It is crucial that their learning and living experience in Ireland is inclusive and excellent, fostering enduring relationships that persist long after graduation."
Ireland plans to increase the number of international students, researchers, and innovators in the country by 10% by 2030 — a growth described as "moderate" to balance the need for global talent with logistical constraints like accommodation availability, environmental sustainability, and living costs. To facilitate this, national targets for international recruitment will be "better aligned" with institutional planning frameworks, and the rollout of the International Education Mark, a statutory quality mark envisioned after a series of language school closures in the 2010s, will be completed.
The government will also appoint six Talent and Innovation Attachés in Irish embassies and consulates in priority regions by 2030 to support growth and international relations.
The identified priority regions include the west and east coasts of the US, major EU capitals and London, Asia, the Middle East, and other locations.
However, Simon Harris, Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, highlighted at the strategy launch that the plan extends beyond attracting international students. "It is also about partnering with industry to recruit hundreds of high-caliber PhD students to tackle national and global challenges like climate change, pandemics, water poverty, and cyber-security," he said.
Ireland will also concentrate on enhancing the global mindsets of domestic students and researchers through mobility opportunities and internationalization-at-home, fostering their ability "to work in multinational, multicultural, and diverse workforces, at home and abroad."
There will be a specific focus on increased collaboration with the UK, including Northern Ireland, through the development of new mobility and exchange schemes for students and researchers. Last year, Dublin fulfilled its commitment to ensure students in Northern Ireland have access to the Erasmus+ exchange program despite the UK leaving the European Union’s program.
Performance indicators, including retention and satisfaction of international students, employer satisfaction with international competencies of graduates, and mobility rates, will gauge progress against the strategy.
Harris concluded, "At a time when countries begin to look inward, I hope this strategy sends a clear message of Ireland’s commitment to continue to be a global, diverse society and for some a beacon of hope and educational opportunity. We want to attract the best generation of international learners, researchers, and innovators to Ireland.
