New Patterns of Migration and Higher Education in Ireland: What Are the Implications?

Abstract

This chapter discusses the changing demographic situation in recent decades as Ireland moved from being a country with a long tradition of emigration to one of net immigration. Compared to other western countries, the pace of social change in Ireland is particularly striking and rapid shifts offer an interesting context to analyse how higher education institutions respond to changing student demographics. The chapter examines a range of good practices and challenges in connection with cultural diversity observed at one higher education institution: Trinity College Dublin. It then links this case study to wider discussions around national policy steering through the Higher Education Authority, for instance in relation to widening access, as well as globalisation and internationalisation discourses. Local data and statistics (such as student population breakdowns) are juxtaposed with national statistics to highlight the main trends within the higher education sector. The final part offers some recommendations for policymakers and practitioners including the need for further internationalisation of the curricula across higher-level institutions in Ireland as well as intercultural awareness training. While the chapter primarily draws on research and reports produced in an Irish context, the implications and findings may well be relevant in other jurisdictions in Europe and further afield.