Ireland is on track to more than double the number of students from India coming to the country to study at third-level by the end of 2014, most of who will be at advanced post-graduate level.
That’s according to Ireland’s Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, TD, who is on a five-day trade and investment mission to India.
Enterprise Ireland aims to increase the number of Indian students in Ireland to more than 5,000 over the next five years, with an expected increase of more than 2,000 over the next 18 months alone.
It appears Enterprise Ireland will meet its goal, if the 120pc increase in the number of Indian student visa applications for Ireland to date this year is anything to go by.
These students’ impact on the economy is significant, as well. They will generate fee income of about €50m, with a further €50m direct spend in the economy on accommodation, services and other related expenditure, according to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
Bruton said this influx of students will also lead to job creation.
“We can anticipate over 650 new jobs on the basis that approximately 13 new jobs are estimated to be created for every 100 international students that come here,” he said.
“These Indian students also play an important role in deepening the business, cultural, education and research ties between India and Ireland.
“International education is a sector where Ireland can really excel, and the progress being made by our colleges in the Indian market is tremendously encouraging,” Bruton added.
Just yesterday, two Indian technology companies, Synowledge and Aditi, announced the creation of 75 jobs in Ireland between them.
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