| 
              New Delhi: Ireland 
              plans to offer "special scholarship" for Indian students, said an 
              Irish minister visiting India with a delegation of 16 
              universities.
 Minister for Education and Skills of Ireland Ciaran Cannon said 
              Ireland also wanted its students to come to India.
 
 "India and Ireland have old ties. May of our missionaries run 
              schools here," Cannon told IANS in an interview.
 
 India, along with Brazil and China, is one of our three priority 
              countries for Ireland's international scholarships, he said.
 
 "We want very strong education ties with India. We not only want 
              Indian students to come to Ireland but we also want Irish students 
              to come to India.
 
 "Ireland to grow, needs trade. If our students have international 
              exposure, it will be easier for us to grow."
 
 Several scholarships are on the anvil for Indian students.
 
 "In 2013 we will be offering 22 scholarships. These will be 
              extremely valuable: full fee waiver and Rs.700,000 stipend for one 
              year.
 
 "Last year, 15 scholarships were awarded to Indian students, more 
              than to any other country," he said.
 
 "To enhance ties with India, we are planning special scholarship 
              for Indian students this year."
 
 Several universities offer their own scholarships as well.
 
 "We have announced 10 scholarships for Indian students," said Jim 
              Dowling, deputy president of Dublin City University.
 
 Cannon, with a team of representatives from different Irish 
              universities, is visiting New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai, 
              organising education fairs for students.
 
 The minister says Ireland promises job-oriented education.
 
 "There is a strong link between academics, industry and research. 
              Research and development is based on the needs of the industry," 
              he added.
 
 Cannon said the visa norm allows a student to work for a year 
              after finishing their course and also provides for further 
              extension when they find employment.
 
 Cannon said: "The most popular courses for Indian students are ICT, 
              life sciences, pharmaceutical, business management, medicine. Some 
              students are also taking up hotel management."
 
 
 
 
 
 
               
 
 
              
              
 
 
 
              
 |