“Delivering Real Education Partnership between Asia and Ireland” Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin

Prof Ciarán Ó CatháinPresident

Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland

‘Partnership-based approach as a growth strategy for Irish HEIs in Asia’

Trust as a first principal‘Guanxi’

90% of Chinese people conduct research online before buying

Food and drink exports to Asia increased by 45% last year to reach €850 million

That is close to the total value of international

traded education services for Ireland

Ireland – land of quality food and drink, Riverdance and U2 in Asia

Whither higher education?

World Class Universities

The Rankings WarThe Ranking War

MOU signed with DUFE during Presidential Trade Mission to China 2003

East China Institute of Technology

400 students enrolled on joint AIT-ECIT degrees in software & mechanical engineering

Chinese students undertake first 3 years of joint degrees, approved by MoE, in their home university

Option of transferring to Athlone to complete the final year

Ingredients for success • Harmony with official MoE

policy • Internationalised curricula • global perspectives• intercultural

communication• socially responsible

citizenship

• Long-term relationships at multiple levels

• Alumni Network

Overcoming scale differences

Connectedness to industry• Quadrangular

relationship• Chinese partner

University: Southeast University

• AIT• Ericsson Athlone• Ericsson China

Diplomacy of knowledge

‘Innovation is about crossing borders because it requires us to enlarge our imaginations and push the boundaries of what is currently thought possible.’

– David Johnston, governor general of Canada

More than a number – a person