BREXITIMPLICATIONS FOR IRISH HIGHER EDUCATION ?

Iain MacLaren, NUI Galway

12,000 Irish students in the UK

2,339 UK students in Ireland

HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY REPORTMain areas of challenge:

• Student mobility and residency rules;• International education programmes;• Academic/professional mobility &

recruitment;• Research collaboration & funding.

HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY REPORT1. Adopt a supportive negotiating stance with

respect to status of UK HE & research in post-Brexit Europe• Strong relationship: academic & student mobility,

residency, fee reciprocity, collaboration• ‘soft’ border• Key EU programmes: Erasmus +, INTERREG,

H2020, PEACE IV

HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY REPORT1. Adopt a supportive negotiating stance with

respect to status of UK HE & research in post-Brexit Europe

2. HE & Research should feature as a key component of Ireland’s Brexit strategy:• Significant to international standing of Ireland and

to benefit of society & economy• Strong links with business, industry & HE to

cushion impact in short-term, boost competitiveness in long term

• International students bring significant benefits

HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY REPORT1. Adopt a supportive negotiating stance with

respect to status of UK HE & research in post-Brexit Europe

2. HE & Research should feature as a key component of Ireland’s Brexit strategy.

3. Globally position Ireland as distinctive, high-quality, international hub for HE & research:• Boost investment as signal of leaving austerity• Targeted initiatives to boost graduate/research

opportunities, collaboration• Develop new partnerships with other EU HEIs• Attract large EU projects/centres

HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY REPORT1. Adopt a supportive negotiating stance with

respect to status of UK HE & research in post-Brexit Europe

2. HE & Research should feature as a key component of Ireland’s Brexit strategy.

3. Globally position Ireland as distinctive, high-quality, international hub for HE & research.

4. Act as a ‘talent magnet’, attracting the best students, academics and researchers:• Attract/support all international students, staff to

relocate to Ireland• New contractual arrangements to encourage Irish &

international researchers.

UNCERTAINTY‘Hard’ Brexit implications?

• Maximum restrictions/barriers• Special circumstances of Northern Ireland and Ireland/UK free

travel area• Customs, duties, continued exchange rate volatility • Rights of citizens/non-citizens, work permits, healthcare,

residency, family

Positive adjustments?• Deepen Irish connection to other EU partners• Opportunities for academics/research re-location• Opportunities for international education

DISCUSS !