A memorandum of understanding has been signed by the Irish minister for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor and the Sultanate of Oman minister of Higher Education, Rawya Al Busaidi. The MoU will further develop and enhance the cooperation between Ireland and Oman in the sector.

The MoU provides for the mobility of professors and researchers as well as students, exchange of visits, particularly in the fields of science and technology, and execution of joint research projects. It also encourages participation in scientific conferences and educational workshops.

Earlier in 2018, the two sides met to discuss means of developing relations between the two countries at higher education and research level.

Oman is aiming to mirror what Ireland has achieved by combining colleges of Applied Sciences and technological universities to create institutions that would help the Department of Higher Education identify and fill their skills shortages.

Mitchell O’Connor said during the signing ceremony in Dublin that the MoU will allow for an enhanced level of academic, staff and student exchange between HEIs in both countries.

“The Irish education system plays a key role in forging crucial global relationships and building international outlook and awareness.

“One of the core ambitions of the Government’s International Education Strategy is to support the development of internationally-oriented, globally competitive institutions and this agreement will assist us in delivering on this ambition,” she added.

Bilateral cooperation in education between Ireland and Oman has been reflected in the growing numbers of Omani students currently studying in Ireland – the country now hosts more than 500 Omani students.

Ireland has a growth target of 33% in the HE sector which will result in an increase in international students to approximately 44,000 by the end of the 2019/2020 academic year.