In the halo of Nobel laureates

Updated on: Tuesday, December 22, 2009

The word ‘Ireland' creates some confusion in the minds of many of us who do not follow the history of this island. Traditionally, our school text-books give a confusing statement that Britain or the U.K. comprises England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This is only partly true. Though the island of Ireland is geographically a single unit, it is politically divided into two.

The north-eastern part, measuring nearly one-sixth of the total area, is called Northern Island which is part of the United Kingdom. The remaining five-sixths form the Republic of Ireland or simply Ireland. Its Irish name is Eire.

We discuss here the opportunities for higher education in the sovereign state of Ireland. It has a fine tradition in quality education and scientific research. A country with 99 per cent literacy and the halo of Nobel laureates like George Bernard Shaw, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, and physicist Ernest Walton brings to our mind an ambience of excellence in education. As a result of sustained investment in education, 81 per cent of Irish students complete the second-level and approximately 60 per cent go on to higher education.

There are a wide range programmes at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The identification of an institution and programme that suits you is easy, if you visit the web site www.educationireland.ie. You can search for the options based simultaneously on subject keyword, higher education provider, and type of course. The academic year normally runs from September to June, divided into two semesters. The higher education system in Ireland encompasses the university sector, the technological sector, the colleges of education, and private/independent colleges. The first three types are autonomous and substantially state-funded. The entry requirements for overseas students are determined individually by each institution. The academic background of the candidate along with proven English language proficiency determines the eligibility. Many institutions stand empowered to award degrees. The Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) is authorised to make awards in the non-university sector. HETAC sets and monitors standards of higher education and training up to the doctorate level. There are vibrant bi-directional links between the university sector and industry, which enhances the employability of the graduates.

Ireland has a system called the NFQ or National Framework of Qualifications. This stipulates ten levels that represent learning from the very initial stages to the most advanced. The NFQ incorporates awards from all kinds of learning wherever it is undertaken in Ireland. The system helps students to compare qualifications and plan their education. It aids employers in recruitment. For more details, visit the site www.nfq.ie.

Some of the important centres of higher education are:

National University of Ireland, Galway: Founded in 1845. Over 11,000 students (including students from over 40 countries), It is committed to expanding and deepening its international links. Almost 1,000 international students attend the university each year. In recent years, the university has initiated many valuable international partnerships and exchange programmes. There is a range of diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses in seven faculties—arts, science, commerce, engineering, law, medicine and health sciences, and Celtic studies. Web: www.nuigalway.ie

Dublin City University: This young university has a particularly strong research record; it is a research-led university. Its research team working on sensors at the National Centre for Sensor Research is considered one of the best in the world. DCU has fifteen schools divided between four faculties: DCU Business School (DCUBS), Faculty of Engineering and Computing, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health. There are nearly 80 programmes divided almost equally among undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Web: www.dcu.ie

University College Cork: A leading university with a very wide range of courses, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. There is facility for Ph.D. research. It welcomes over 1,700 international students every year. There are eight faculties—arts, Celtic studies, commerce, engineering, food science and technology, law, medicine and science. There is a link ‘international students' in the site www.ucc.ie

National University of Ireland, Maynooth: The student body is drawn from Ireland and from more than 50 overseas countries. NUI Maynooth maintains a modern and innovative approach to teaching and research. It specially encourages international students to apply for postgraduate full-degree programmes. There are scholarship opportunities, benefiting from research councils. You may go to the ‘International Students' link in the site www.nuim.ie.

Trinity College, Dublin: This has a glorious tradition of four hundred years of excellence in learning and research. Illustrious persons like Jonathan Swift, Oliver Goldsmith, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett were educated in this college. The college has excellent infrastructure. Almost one in three students in Trinity is a postgraduate and one in ten is reading for a doctorate degree. There are several research institutes and centres under the university such as the Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices, Centre for Bioengineering, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Centre for Health Policy and Management, and Centre for Transport Research and Innovation for People.

There is a wide range of programmes covering arts, humanities and social sciences, engineering, mathematics and science, and health sciences. It is possible to register as a one-year or one-term postgraduate student not reading for a degree. Students of this status are free to continue their own researc. Web: www.tcd.ie

University of Limerick: This offers a wide variety of programmes at the undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. levels in diverse disciplines, including management, law and engineering. Web: www.ul.ie

Dublin Institute of Technology: With a history stretching back over one hundred and twenty years, Dublin Institute of Technology enjoys reputation in technological higher education and interaction with industry. There are faculties of applied arts, built environment (architecture and spatial planning), business, engineering and tourism and food. Web: www.dit.ie. There are many more reputed institutions of higher education in Ireland.

Contact: Education Ireland, Sandford Lodge, Sandford Close, Ranelagh, Dublin, Ireland; Ph: +353 1 5292400

Embassy of Ireland, 230 Jor Bagh, New Delhi 110 003; Ph: 011 2462 6733; Web: www.irelandinindia.com.

In the halo of Nobel laureates

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