Munster Express Online

Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) has agreed a significant contract with the Technical Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that will see Saudi students study in Waterford over the coming years.

The agreement with TVTC – mirroring similar arrangements with the Institutes of Technology in Athlone (AIT) and Galway/Mayo (GMIT) – was ratified during the current Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Saudi Arabia and Qatar led by Mary Coughlan TD, An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment.

The Institutes of Technology have worked with Enterprise Ireland for over two years to develop and further links with TVTC which is a Saudi government institution responsible for development of the workforce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in both technical and vocational education.

Following a joint workshop earlier in 2009, WIT, AIT and GMIT are to collectively receive some 200 TVTC scholarship students over a three-four year period.  The students will study a range of disciplines including engineering, science and business.

The total spend in the Irish economy is estimated at €20m including fees and expenditure in the local economy.

“Waterford Institute of Technology is delighted to play a role in the development of technological education in Saudi Arabia,” said Dr Venie Martin, Head of Development at WIT.

Dr Martin – who is participating in the trade mission alongside Prof Kieran R Byrne, Director, WIT – added, “This will enhance the diversity of the student profile in the Institute and the further internationalisation of Waterford and the South East.”

PHOTO: Dr Venie Martin, Head of Development, Waterford Institute of Technology (seated), is pictured signing an agreement with the Technical Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that will see TVTC scholarship students pursue programmes in Waterford in the years ahead. Also included in the photo (from left) are Mr Frank Ryan, Chief Executive, Enterprise Ireland; Prof Kieran R Byrne, Director, Waterford Institute of Technology; Mary Coughlan TD, An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment; Dr Ali Nasser Al Ghafies, Governor, TVTC and Mr Tom Russell, Irish Ambassador to Riyadh. Ms Coughlan is currently leading an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.