by DIRK MULDER

But one provider is working with what it might get

COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted around the country – pubs are even set to open in the Northern Territory. But a return to what used to be normal is not likely for international education.  The prime minister has made it clear, that perhaps New Zealand aside, borders are not set to open anytime soon.

This does not bode well for the thousands of students around the world looking to book their education, or the education institutions, hoping to host them.

Certainty is what they all want and what they are not getting in Australia and other countries which had international education industries in the good old days, before January.

But some institutions are working imaginatively with what they have got.

Dublin City University has developed a landing site, is packaging information for students looking to commence in 2020 and offers an “On time/On-line” initiative.

This means that all postgraduate provisions for non-EU students will be delivered on-line for the first semester, move to on-campus provision for the second and the dissertation/practicum period.

The initiative includes the foundation programme for pre-masters PGs. Students will be able to take their first semester on-line, move on-campus for their second qualifying semester and then progress to their destination degree on-campus as normal in September 2021.

Smart move, as long as Ireland opens up for international students by January 2021. But if there are odds on that happening I can’t find the bookie.