“Excluding the small population countries such as Malta and Cyprus, Ireland now has the highest per capita population of Indian students in the EU,” said Kelly, who served as the guest of honour at the OneStep Global’s Global Education Conclave 2024. 

“That’s 21 Indian students per 10,000 head of population in Ireland. Ireland saw about 11,200 Indian students last year, a 75% increase compared to five years ago.” 

According to Kelly, Ireland has already issued 9,000 study visas to Ireland-bound Indian students as of October 2024, with another 3,000 visas expected to be issued by the end of the year. 

Compared to the ‘big four’ study destinations, which are imposing a slew of policy changes impacting international students including enrolment caps, visa changes and a ban on dependents, Ireland has taken a different turn. 

The Irish government introduced the Global Citizens 2030 International Talent and Innovation Strategy early this year to become a first-choice destination for international students and researchers. 

Keeping up with its goal to increase the number of international students, researchers, and innovators in Ireland by 10% by 2030, the Irish government is focusing on priority destinations to achieve the target. 

“The new strategy helps us encourage excellence in talent and innovation into Ireland’s global footprints. It aims to confirm Ireland’s place as a solid leader in education, research, innovation, and science policy,” stated Kelly. 

Though the Indian market is increasingly being prioritised in Ireland’s education landscape, both countries share historic relations dating back to the early 20th century. 

India and Ireland developed their relations during the independence movement in the two countries with many provisions of the Indian constitution taking inspiration from the Constitution of Ireland. 

Highlighting the contribution of Irish educators and missionaries in India’s education system and creating a network of schools in the country, Kelly hailed the current educational ties between the two countries. 

“It’s really great to see the education collaborations between Irish and Indian HEIs. There are over 30 active partnerships between institutions in both countries, which includes comprehensive institution-wide MOUs and specific academic and research partnerships,” said Kelly. 

“Engineering, Design, and Law are some areas where Irish and Indian institutions are working together. There are further articulation agreements and exchange initiatives between students and faculties, especially in fields like hospitality and pharmaceutical sciences.” 

It’s really great to see the education collaborations between Irish and Indian HEIs
^{_{Kevin Kelly, Irish ambassador to India}}

The Irish Embassy in India launched the Ireland-India Affinity Diaspora Network in New Delhi last month to signify the people-to-people contact between Ireland and India. 

The network, which aims to bring together Indians who have worked and studied in Ireland, will help the countries share their “values and cultural connections”, according to Kelly.