A NEW STUDENT exchange initiative has been launched by Griffith College Dublin which allows students to offset or reduce their college fees if their family agrees to provide accommodation and board to an international student.

The offer is open to CAO applicants and postgraduate students who apply to do a course in the college. A spokesperson for the college told TheJournal.ie that the initiative is surplus to demand but that already they have 20 families signed up, adding that there was a strong demand for the programme and that they expected to see a jump in applicants after the weekend when first choice offers are out.

Fees offset or reduced

“Griffith College fees tend to be around  €5000. Those who agree to take on a student for the full year – 52 weeks – will have their fees completely set aside, while families who agree to accommodate an international student for 40 weeks, excluding the summer months, will have their fees reduced to €1000,” said the spokesperson.

“The key benefits of this programme include making third level education more accessible to undergraduate and post-graduate students by off-setting the fees as well as promoting language and culture transfer between Irish and international students, providing a truly global education,” said the spokesperson.

She added: “The idea was really the brainchild of the President of Griffith College, Professor Diarmuid Hegarty. It’s really a response to market needs. President Hegarty understands that families are struggling and are being forced to re-direct budget from third level fees to other areas of household expenditure.  He wants education to be as open as possible and he hopes this will make it more affordable for many.

Access to education

President of Griffith College, Professor Diarmuid Hegarty said:

These are difficult economic times for families and it is envisaged that this initiative will make third level education more accessible for all. The objective of the Student Exchange Initiative is to offer more opportunity for Irish students by eliminating fees, while offering international students a unique living experience during their time in Ireland.

When asked if the scheme will be open to abuse and how the college will ensure that the accommodation and board will be of a reasonable standard, the spokesperson said that there is a liaison officer that goes out and meets the family and inspects the facilities.

The spokesperson added: “There is also an office open for international students, so if they have any concerns they can be raised there. We have run international exchanges in the past and there have not been many issues, so we do not foresee that as an issue.”

For more information visit www.gcd.ie.

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