Irish Government to Introduce New Post-Study Guidelines for Overseas Students

The world was at its stake of decline when the Covid 19 hit. At least that is what it felt after unending three months of lockdown. However, the chief aim was to survive and keep breathing locked inside the home encompassed with coronavirus outside the periphery.

But, as the situation again started becoming normal, the focus shifted towards the students, specifically the overseas students. Students pay a great deal of money in the hope of having a better education and a prosperous career.

Due to the pandemic, all those students had no other choice but to sit back at their homes and watch what they have in their destiny. Though, in the first few months, the education system was fully paused. But, after a time, online classes started taking place. But uncertainty still was prevailing.

Ireland’s government has played an active part in showing sympathy towards its huge students’ community that lands up in the nation to get a sustainable career instantly after graduating from college.

The Irish government took measures

The Government of Ireland has issued fresh guidelines for international students in virtue of public health. The concession states that overseas students can apply for the third-level graduate employment opportunities program despite their second semester’s remote completion.

The concession’s chief keystone is to limit international students from coming to Ireland for their studies. Though temporary but, the concession clearly states that the students can apply for the Third Level Graduate Programme without coming to Ireland from their home countries.

In the case of non-EEA graduates, they have permitted to remain in Ireland even after completing studies and looking for work opportunities. However, they must have an award by a recognized awarding body of Ireland to access the Third Level Graduate Programme. 

Expected outcomes of the measures

A spokesperson from the Irish Department of Further and Higher Education, research, Innovation and Science told a newspaper that this amendment was proceeded to protect public health by prohibiting overseas students from coming to Ireland for their studies.

If the world were not stuck in the pandemic due to Covid19, they would have begun studying for their semester two exam staying in Ireland. But the situations are different, and the Irish government is prioritizing the health safety of its citizens. Hence, this concession for the future generation.

By this scheme, the spokesperson also stated that overseas students could continue with their studies without any possible hindrances due to the covid19 situation. They can stay back in their own country and continue their academic career for the year 2021.

Eligibility criteria

The concession also comes with some eligibility criteria for applying to the Third Level Graduate Programme. In reaction to the concession, the students have ample questions regarding the criteria. They are concerned whether their course studies will be completed, as they have been studying remotely since the starting of the lockdown.

To apply for the concession, the students must secure some new and existing government criteria. The current session will be complete by the summer of 2021. After the courses get over, the students will be able to apply for the scheme.

However, this is only be granted if the overseas students succeed in showing the government a certificate. The institution they are studying under should approve that they studied there for the academic years 2020-2021.

It also has to confirm that the mode of studying by the particular students was fully and wholly remote. They were never present in the institution for attending any classes. The only mode of their education was online.

The higher educational institution the student comes from certifies that the student has qualified for the course he/ she had taken on. That award received by the student will make him/her eligible for applying for the Third Level Graduate Programme.

Situations might arise when a student who has passed the master’s degree from an Irish institution but has failed to register their names in the state student’s list must come to Ireland. That too before their results are out for registering their institution’s permission and become eligible for the scheme.

Announcement of a new strategy

The director of UCD Global at the University of Dublin stated that though Ireland is chosen for its qualitative programs apart from culturally rich experience. But the main reason is the employment rate of the country post completion of graduation.

A brand-new strategy is in construction by the Department of Further and Higher education, Research, Innovation, and Science, keeping in mind international education and research. The department is hopeful that the strategy will be revealed to the mass within the recent few months.

According to the spokesperson, for making changes in the future, post-study will be taken over fully by the Department of Justice in the framework of work rights.

Is Ireland the only victim?

The Irish government and all other countries are yet to find a proper measure to deal with the work scheme after graduation.

For example, Canada’s government concluded that all the students of Canada who will complete their higher education through online mode of communication are eligible to apply for employment permission post their graduation.

The country’s employment scope is a feature that attracts overseas students to come to Ireland for study. In the hope of getting employed instantly after graduating.

The new guidelines introduced by the government will give rise to new hope in the students’ hearts. The country is hopeful that it will again bounce back to the flourished nation it used to be within a brief period.

Where other countries are busy tackling the economic and political conditions, Ireland is among a few of them that emphasizes both the native and overseas students’ education. Though some students have concerns over the schemes, others are hopeful about the intention of the government.