Minister welcomes international students to Northern Ireland

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, welcomed 42 international students from 28 different countries to Northern Ireland this evening.

Hosting a reception at Stormont, the Minister greeted students taking part in the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) Programme, managed by the British Council.

The IAESTE programme provides overseas higher education students from scientific and technical disciplines, with a 12 week work placement over the summer period. The association is a non-profit-making world-wide organisation, which provides students in higher education with course-related practical experience in another country. It operates in more than 85 countries worldwide and since its formation in 1948, has accommodated over 300,000 student exchanges.

Speaking to students at the reception, the Minister said: “I welcome that you have decided to come to Northern Ireland to gain experience in your chosen profession. The international perspective programmes that IAESTE provides, are extremely beneficial to young people like you all here this evening when entering into an increasingly global market place.”

Highlighting the importance his Department attaches to the programme, the Minister said: “My Department remains committed to providing students with the opportunity to gain the international experience inside and outside Northern Ireland. By bringing young people together from across the globe, it provides each of us with an opportunity to not only share our learning experiences, but to sample and enjoy many different cultures.”

Wendy Waring from the British Council in Northern Ireland said: “The British Council recognises the importance of strengthening international connections to help develop Northern Ireland's knowledge economy. The IAESTE programme provides a vehicle to give our local employers and universities an opportunity to benefit from international experience and develop future partnerships and links. At the same time, the programme helps to prepare our local undergraduates for working in a global economy through the experience they obtain from their international placements.”

The IAESTE programme in Northern Ireland is highly respected throughout the world with Queen’s University Belfast sending more students than any other institution in the UK. This year 46 Northern Irish students are undertaking placements in 29 countries.

Notes to Editors:

1. IAESTE UK is based in the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations, which works in over 100 countries worldwide to build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people.

2. Approximately 200 foreign students come to the United Kingdom each year, of which around 25% are placed with companies in NI. Among the local companies who have taken students this year are Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Kelvatek Limited, Graham, Northern Ireland Electricity, Translink, Larne Borough Council, William Clements Chemicals Ltd, Ulster Carpet Mills, Robinson Mcllwaine, Andrew Nesbitt Architects, and the local universities.

3. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7872 or after 17.00hrs to duty the press officer on 07699 715 440