04/08/2005

International students welcomed to province

Over 70 students from 40 different countries were welcomed to Northern Ireland during a reception at Parliament Buildings on Wednesday.

The reception, hosted by Will Haire, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Employment and Learning, honoured students taking part in the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) Programme.

The Programme will involve some 80 overseas students, all in scientific and technical disciplines, undertaking work placements for a 10 week period during the summer in Northern Ireland. A similar number of students from Northern Ireland are on placements in almost 40 countries worldwide.

Outlining his Department's role in the Programme, Mr Haire said: "We are very keen to provide international students coming to Northern Ireland with the opportunity to gain an insight into education, industry, research and the community on this island.

"Our two Universities play an excellent role in this area. Queen's University sends and receives more students than any other single institution worldwide, whilst the University of Ulster, who joined the Programme in 1996, continues annually to increase their level of participation.

"The continued support of our Universities helps contribute to this Programme's success."

The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) is a world-wide organisation encompassing 80 countries, which provides students in higher education with course-related, practical experience in another country.

Since it was founded in 1948, it has accommodated over 300,000 exchanges.

Northern Ireland sends and receives around 50% of the UK's participating students.

(MB/SP)

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