25 July 2001

INTERNATIONAL STANDING LEADS OVERSEAS STUDENTS TO NORTHERN IRELAND - FARREN

A major reception to welcome over 90 overseas students taking part in the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) Programme will be hosted today by the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Sean Farren.

Addressing the overseas students Minister Farren said: "I am delighted you have chosen to come to Northern Ireland for your placement. It is an indication of the international standing enjoyed by our education system and its increasing links with the industrial sector.

"Your placements will give you the opportunity to gain experience in your chosen areas of study and provide a platform on which to exchange ideas. This open flow of knowledge will be of long-term benefit to everyone involved."

Under the programme, students from 52 different countries are undertaking work experience here over the summer, with a similar number of Northern Ireland students on placement abroad. The overseas students, all in scientific and technical disciplines, are working in companies as diverse as NIE, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Gilbert-Ash and the BBC.

Dr Farren commenting on Northern Ireland’s proud record of participation in the scheme said: "We have again attracted the majority of foreign students coming to the UK, with students from here also representing around half of the UK contingent going abroad".

The Minister praised the dedication of staff in the IAESTE Central Bureau Belfast, saying their work had received international recognition with Northern Ireland being chosen to stage the 2002 Seminar on IAESTE Development. The seminar is an annual event attended by IAESTE representatives from across the world and will be the first time it has been held in the UK.

Media enquiries to Kevin Mulhern, Press Office, telephone 028 9025 7790 or mobile 07799 711523

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

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 285,000 exchanges.

IAESTE UK is based in the Central Bureau for International Education and Training in London, with its Northern Ireland Regional Office in Belfast. The Central Bureau is funded by the Department for Education and Skills, the Scottish Executive Education Department and the Department of Education.

Organised by the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience, the 2001 programme saw the Province play host to a total of 92 students from 52 countries including Oman, Colombia, Syria and Morocco.

Around 100 students from Northern Ireland’s Universities were involved this year and have been placed in countries throughout the world including Brazil, Ghana, and Japan.