TWENTY-two students from 15 countries have been welcomed to Northern Ireland with a reception in Queen’s University’s Riddel Hall.
The students, hailing from countries as diverse as Slovenia, Brazil and the US, are here as part of the global exchange scheme IAESTE, (the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience), which is managed by the British Council.
The programme, supported by the Department for Employment and Learning, sees students from all scientific and technical disciplines work across Northern Ireland throughout the summer and beyond. In exchange, 16 students from here will travel to 16 countries worldwide, including China, Hungary and Switzerland.
Speaking at the reception, Derek Baker, permanent secretary at the Department for Employment and Learning, welcomed the opportunities IAESTE brought to both sets of students, local institutions and employers.
He said: “In 2012 the Department for Employment and Learning published Graduating to Success, the higher education strategy for Northern Ireland. The strategy identifies work experience and international experience as key ingredients of high quality higher education.
We have been working with our universities and colleges to ensure that internationalisation is embedded in higher education and that every student in Northern Ireland has the opportunity to undertake an international mobility programme.
“The IAESTE programme aligns with our policies and addresses many of our priorities. I commend the programme not only for its international dimension but also for its focus on science, technology, engineering and maths — STEM related subjects.”
Among the local companies who have taken students this year are CDE Ireland Ltd, Michelin, Devenish Nutrition, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Seagate Technologies and Translink. Also speaking about the programme was Jonathan Stewart, deputy director of British Council Northern Ireland.
He said: “The British Council recognises the economic benefits of developing stronger relationships between Northern Ireland and other countries.
“Through mobility programmes such as IAESTE, local employers and universities are able to benefit from the experience of high calibre international trainees and set the foundations for future partnerships, links and networks.”