Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin President Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland ‘Partnership-based approach as a growth strategy for Irish HEIs in
Aug 17, 2015
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