IAESTE
	NEWS 2005 IAESTE trainees welcomed to Northern Ireland Students with the IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) programme were welcomed to Northern Ireland at a reception in Parliament Buildings, Stormont, by Mr Will Haire, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Employment and Learning, on Wed 3 August. The event was attended by over 70 students from 40 countries, all in Northern Ireland to take up course-related work placements with local companies and university departments. Also in attendance were representatives of Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Ulster and many local IAESTE employers, including the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, White Young Green and Ulster Carpet Mills. “We are very keen to provide international students coming to Northern Ireland with the opportunity to gain an insight into education, industry, research and the community on this island,” commented Mr Haire. “This programme is an excellent way of continuing to foster more effective international relationships both within higher education and beyond, to the sectors of commerce, further education and industry. All involved greatly benefit.” In 2005 the IAESTE UK teams in London and Belfast have arranged placements for over 220 trainees from 50 nations. Funded by the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Education, Northern Ireland, the programme has also sent 185 UK science and engineering undergraduates on reciprocal placements in countries around the world, including Canada, Argentina, Kenya, Mongolia and countries throughout Europe. Left to right : Neil Martin (IAESTE UK), Pelin Kalafatoglu (Turkey), Gabriel Banjo (Nigeria), Will Haire (Permanent Secretary, DEL NI), Colm McGivern (Director British Council NI), Tugce Demir (Turkey), Pauline Ferguson (IAESTE General Secretary)
	The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience