Saudis tour institutes of technology

“A delegation from Saudi Arabia has begun a tour of institutes of technology following a recent trade mission …” (more)

[Fiona Gartland, Irish Times, 24 February]

Saudi students will ‘create jobs and boost the economy’

“A new scholarship programme that will see Saudi students transfer to Irish Technology colleges will ‘create jobs and boost the regional economy’ …” (more)

[Shane Hulgraine, Silicon Republic, 3 November]

The strange case of Citywest, 750 Saudi students and the disputed contract

“There was much fanfare when a new college, Citywest Institute of Education, unveiled ambitious plans last month to bring 750 Saudi students to Dublin. But the Saudi ministry for higher education deny all knowledge of the deal. What’s going on? …” (more)

[Gráinne Faller, Irish Times, 2 March]

Saudis deny contract for students in Citywest

“The Ministry of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia has denied that it agreed to send hundreds of students to a new private college in Citywest, Dublin. The Mansfield Group, headed by businessman Jim Mansfield, announced last week that it had secured a contract with the ministry under which 750 Saudi students would attend its new Citywest Institute of Education …” (more)

[Grainne Faller and Sean Flynn, Irish Times, 27 February]

Developing relationships with Saudi Arabia

“… The day proved a tremendous success in terms of enabling all parties to become familiar with one another and in building the personal relationships that are so central to international partnerships. The ambassador had an opportunity to visit some of AIT’s research and innovation facilities, the new engineering and informatics complex, as well as meet with the 25 Saudi students who have been attending AIT since September last year. The students who are undertaking full-time undergraduate programmes in engineering, science and business, have integrated remarkably well into campus life and especially into life in the Irish midlands …” (more)

[Ciarán Ó Catháin, A President’s Notebook, 25 February]

750 Saudi Arabian students to study English here

“Some 750 Saudi Arabian students are to begin studying English in Dublin this April at a new institute of education. The Citywest Institute of Education, developed by businessman Jim Mansfield, in Saggart, has secured a contract with the ministry of higher education in Saudi Arabia to tutor the students in English. The contract is worth €250 million to the company over six and a half years …” (more)

[Fiona Gartland, Irish Times, 20 February]

Saudi students to generate €19m for economy

“The Saudi government is planning to send 120 students to Ireland this year, a move that would generate almost €19million for the Irish economy. The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe, is also pushing for Irish students to be funded to carry out postgraduate research in Saudi Arabia …” (more)

[Martha Kearns, Sunday Business Post, 24 January]