Some overseas NUIG students have inadequate grasp of English
Some international students’ difficulties in speaking English has been highlighted as an issue at NUI Galway.
A Governing Body meeting heard how the university plans to attract more international students to help plug reductions in its budget.
However, it was noted that some international students were not proficient in the English language.
During discussions about the Higher Education Authority’s (HEA) grant allocation, it was noted that a “much larger than expected reduction in funding” had been signalled.
The Governing Body of February 2015, heard NUIG had budgeted for a 3% reduction, but the “actual applicable figures is 9.1%”.
The university Bursar told the meeting that a three-year budget deficit plan instigated in 2014, as well as “accumulated surpluses from unfilled posts” and other “once-off savings” would help NUIG to absorb the impact of the reduction in State funding.
President Jim Browne said demographics of student enrolment at NUIG over the coming years “compares favourably” to east coast universities.
Mr Browne added: “More places could be made available on a small but significant range of academic programmes and that clear potential existed to attract more international students to the university.”
He said academic staff had “an important stake in helping to ensure the viability of their own programmes”.
The minutes of the meeting record that some members commented that “the English language competence of some international students in technical areas of academic study continue to be less than adequate”.
Cathaoirleach of the Governing Body, Catherine McGuinness, according to the minutes, said this was an issue for all universities and “one that requires additional supports from Government” as has been applied in Dublin.
One member pointed out: “English language proficiency levels required of international students by our universities are higher than those applied by Institutes of Technology”.
During the discussion on finances, a number of Governing Body members noted that “the financial strains experienced by many students and their families because of the country’s economic woes, was a constraining factor in seeking opportunities for further study.”
The Vice-President for Student Experience acknowledged the point and listed efforts to ease the burden on students including: offering instalment payments plans for fees, providing specific supports for academically talented students and arranging a student loan facility with the campus bank.
The minutes were released under Freedom of Information (FOI).