24 July 2009

College To Boost Job Opportunities

A top NI university is to bring thousands of international students to a new college - and create scores of new jobs at the same time.

Queen's University in Belfast has signed a deal with INTO University Partnerships and will bring an initial first group of 80 students to enrol in January of next year.

Some 40 jobs are to be created through the project which links QUB to the organisation which exists to help universities form relationships with other academic institutions around the world.

The university's Vice-Chancellor Peter Gregson said: "This can provide a platform for entry into any university, but of course it is aimed particularly at attracting students to Queen's and to Northern Ireland," he said.

"It is a new concept, it is about preparing students in both academic preparation and intensive English language training in an integrated and purpose built college."

Professor Gregson also highlighted the potential benefits for local students: "We need to provide the best possible education for our students from Northern Ireland and that involves making sure they develop the contacts they will need later on in their careers from whatever country other students come from," he added.

The joint venture between Queen's and INTO University Partnerships will bring hundreds of international students to Northern Ireland over the next three to five years.

INTO University Partnerships is a British limited company that specialises in setting up joint ventures with universities. It focuses on the provision of foundation courses for international students, including English language, especially English for Academic.

Andrew Colin, Chairman of INTO University Partnerships said: "UK universities are facing strong competition for international students, not only from universities in the United States and Australia, but from many emerging countries too."

See: INTO

(BMcC/JM)