Some International students due to start classes on Monday September 7th have yet to begin their studies due to a backlog in the issuance of visas by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. If the issue, which affects non-EU students, is not resolved by Friday September 24th applicants will be unable to take up their places as they will by that time have missed one quarter of the semester’s lectures.
Speaking to the College Tribune, Professor Ben Tonra, head of the UCD School of Politics and International Relations expressed frustration at the difficulties the applicants are facing. According to Professor Tonra, the international students, some of whom are to study at UCD on EU funded Erasmus programmes are currently being dealt with by lecturers on an individual basis. This is because the unprecedented nature of the delays has left the university in a position from which it can offer little assistance. “There are simply not enough staff in the Department of Justice, which means all that we’re getting back is a deafening silence. If we want to be taken seriously, and we do, as a provider of education as an export business than they absolutely need to do better”, the Professor said. //
