Every year, there is a growing trend of Indian students pursuing their studies overseas. In February, the education ministry reported that the figure for 2022 exceeded 750,000, marking the highest in six years. In the previous decade, there has been a tenfold increase in the number of Indian students studying in Ireland. According to Barry O’Driscoll, the head of Education in Ireland for India & South Asia,

the number of Indian students who chose to study in Ireland in 2013 was approximately 700. It is anticipated that more than 7,000 Indian students will arrive in Ireland by 2023. The prevalence of COVID-19 caused a 20% drop in the figures in 2020, but they have since experienced a significant resurgence. The reason for the increase, as mentioned by him, was due to the prestigious status of Irish universities globally, the prevalence of English as the primary language in Ireland, and its membership in the European Union. Furthermore, numerous large corporations have opted for Ireland as the location for their European headquarters or branches. Additionally, Ireland serves as a preferred base for numerous multinational firms in Europe, and international graduates are eligible for a two-year stay in the country. Ireland is actively seeking competent employees who can contribute to the local branches of major companies, including Google, Apple, Meta, Twitter, Deloitte, KPMG, Pfizer, and others. Upon graduating from Irish universities, students can secure employment at multinational corporations. Students will derive a great deal of advantage from the funds they invest in their education. In addition, he mentioned that a significant number of individuals have endorsed Irish universities and colleges to others. According to his statement, Indian students in Ireland have been actively communicating their experiences to friends and younger students back home in India.- Although the specific count of Indian graduates who decide to stay and work after obtaining a visa is uncertain, it is evident that around 75% of Indian postgraduate students aspire to capitalize on job prospects once their studies conclude. Ireland is the preferred choice for a vast majority of Indian students to pursue their higher studies following the completion of their undergraduate degrees. The inclusion of a two-year visa allowing graduates to stay in Ireland has had a significant impact on India’s student preference for the country. According to an education specialist, Irish students who secure employment with global corporations immediately after graduating will improve their prospects of working internationally. According to him, pursuing higher education in an Indian university and obtaining employment with esteemed organizations like Google or Deloitte in India is a wise career decision. Students choose to remain in India due to the numerous opportunities and demands available in the area. If you seek employment at the European headquarters of multinational corporations (MNCs), you can explore various job prospects in multiple locations around the globe. There is a choice to explore different destinations from Dublin, including the US, Europe, the Middle East, and possibly India again. Non-EU/EEA students who have completed their studies at Irish universities are allowed to remain in Ireland for up to two years in order to search for employment opportunities. How the stay back works:

• Renowned Irish organizations, such as the Dublin Institute of Technology, Irish universities, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, etc., grant recognition.
• A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree.
• Graduates are eligible to be employed for a maximum of 40 hours per week.
• The Garda National Immigration Bureau issues a GNIB card that is eligible for renewal for a maximum period of 24 months.
• After 2 years, a student can meet the requirements for the Green Card or Work Permit Scheme.

O’Driscoll mentioned that a variety of subjects are taught in Irish universities. The courses that have gained significant popularity include data science/big data, IT, computer science, software/electrical engineering, artificial intelligence, business and finance, pharmaceuticals, digital marketing, biotech/Medtech, and medicine. However, the number of Indian students opting for education in Ireland is relatively low. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that a total of 1,324,954 Indian students were pursuing their studies in foreign countries in 2022. Among Indian students, the United States, with 465,791 students; Canada, with 183,310 students; the United Arab Emirates, with 164,000 students; Australia, with 100,009 students; and the United Kingdom, with 55,465 students, were the most popular choices.