Ireland has embarked on an ambitious plan to enhance the diversity of its university student population by setting a target to double the number of African students to 3,000 within the next five years[^1]. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to increase the international student body to 30% across Irish universities[^1]. The current African student population in Ireland stands at approximately 1,500, and efforts are underway to attract more students from various regions of Africa, including West, East, and Southern Africa[^1].
The approach to achieving this goal involves direct engagement with international high schools and the implementation of marketing strategies that utilize social media and educational fairs[^1]. African students are particularly valued for their high motivation levels and the fact that they are predominantly self-financing, which enhances the quality of the student community[^1]. Irish universities offer competitive advantages such as lower tuition fees compared to other traditional study destinations and the opportunity for graduates to remain in the country for two years post-study to work[^1].
Despite these attractive propositions, there are challenges that need to be addressed, such as the absence of an online application portal for visas and the extended duration of the visa process in countries where Ireland does not have an embassy[^1]. Nevertheless, there has been a significant increase in the number of African students studying in Ireland, with a 61% rise recorded between 2018 and 2021[^1]. The year 2019 marked the most substantial growth, with enrollments jumping from 800 to 1,230[^1].
Ireland’s higher education institutions are not only competing with traditional study destinations like the UK, US, and Canada but also with emerging ones such as Cyprus, Dubai, and China[^1]. They promote Ireland as a “welcoming and safe” environment, highlighting the global ranking of Irish universities among the top 5% and the presence of over 1,000 multinational companies in the country, which presents potential industrial attachment and internship opportunities for students[^1].
Suggested Reading:
[https://thepienews.com/news/ireland-to-double-number-of-african-students-in-five-years/](https://thepienews.com/news/ireland-to-double-number-of-african-students-in-five-years/)
