GMIT, AIT and WIT sign agreement in Saudi Arabia

Author: Press Office

Date Article Written Monday 1st March 2010

Two-hundred and seventy students will register in GMIT, AIT and WIT this September at the start of four-year programmes of study. Eighty students each will attend the institutes in Galway and Waterford, with 110 due to attend Athlone.

The students will initially undertake one year of English language tuition, after which they will transfer to a variety of three-year degree courses (level 7). Their degree studies will be in areas as varied as engineering, renewable energy, software, business, accounting, financial services and tourism studies. The students will be funded under the King Abdullah Scholarship Programme.

A similar intake of students will happen in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The scholarship scheme also funds the wives of the Saudi students to attend the three institutes of technology, where they will attend English language classes in their first year. There is provision in the agreement for it to be extended by a further four years if all parties are happy with progress achieved during the initial period.

GMIT President Marion Coy welcomes the new agreement with TVTC saying it is the culmination of three years’ international activity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to assist them in upskilling their teaching staff. “The Kingdom wishes to grow its technical education provision drawing on the Irish Institute of Technology model, and GMIT is delighted to facilitate this process which will be of enormous benefit to Galway city and county.”

“This new agreement marks a further milestone in GMIT’s Strategic Plan to build strong links with expanding economies in Asia and the Middle East. added Ms Coy.

AIT President, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, said that today’s agreement was “the result of several years’ relationship-building in the Middle East by the three institutes of technology. It is also an important milestone in signalling the quality of Irish higher education to an international audience and showcasing our growing reputation as an innovation island. This will enrich the educational experiences of all students in Athlone, Galway and Waterford and provide a global learning and research environment on each of our campuses.”

He continued: “AIT has prioritised the internationalisation of its college community, with the result that overseas students comprise more than 10 per cent of full-time learners. We registered 25 Saudi students last September and their experience has been overwhelmingly positive. They have adjusted to life in the Irish midlands and have integrated very well into the local community. The visit to AIT of the Saudi ambassador last week was a further step in the strengthening of these relationships.”

Professor Kieran R. Byrne, President, Waterford Institute of Technology, said: “We welcome the latest progression in our growing network of international relationships which are a strategic priority. We currently have over 600 international students from over 60 countries and among these are 22 students from Saudi Arabia whose compatriots will join them in the autumn as we welcome some 80 degree students from the Technical Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) to Waterford.

“The links forged at higher education bind for a lifetime and the Saudi students who will spend four years or more with us will long retain an affinity to the southeast and to Ireland more widely. While here, they will also contribute greatly to our increasingly diverse learning community. The range of perspectives and backgrounds represented on campus boosts outcomes for all of our students as they learn from and support each other.”

TVTC is a government institution which is responsible for development of the workforce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in both technical and vocational education.