The Minister for Overseas Development Aid and the Diaspora, Colm Brophy, T.D., today welcomed to Ireland 179 professionals from Irish Aid partner countries who have come to study at Higher Education Institutions as part of the Ireland Fellows programme.
The Fellows come from African partner countries, the occupied Palestinian territory, Vietnam, Laos and Small Island Developing states in the Caribbean, Pacific, Africa and Asia. They will undertake Master’s qualifications in a range of Irish higher education institutes.
Minister Brophy said:
“Our national experience is that education is central to development. Our aim is to help to build a cohort of people who will go on to become leaders in their home country, and to help them develop the skills that will contribute to their country’s efforts to achieve national the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Since 1974 the Ireland Fellows programme has given thousands of people the chance to get to know Ireland and its people. I hope that the personal and professional bonds and friendships that Fellows make over the course of their year in Ireland will last, and that they will stay connected with Ireland after returning to their home country.”
The aims of the programme are to nurture future leaders, develop partner countries’ capacity to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and build positive relationships with Ireland.
The Ireland Fellows Programme has been running since 1974. It promotes gender equality, equal opportunity, and welcomes diversity. Application rounds launch each summer. Programme implementation in Ireland is supported by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS).
ENDS
Press Office
14 Sept 2021
