Featured image appearance from left to right - Patrick O’Riordan Director Greater China, Enterprise Ireland, Prof Gerry Lacey, Dr. Yulia Kharchenko, Prof Valerie Heffernan, Minister James Browne, Ambassador of Ireland to China Dr Nicholas O’Brien, Prof Patrick McCole, Bridget Carey. A Maynooth University delegation representing our Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Science and Engineering, International Office was honoured to be joined by Ambassador of Ireland to China Nicholas O’Brien and Minister James Browne for the official launch of the Maynooth University China Office on Monday 17th March at the Embassy of Ireland, Beijing. The university is thankful to have been joined by over 70 friends, colleagues and partners for this exciting launch and we are looking forward to building on the great foundation of institutional partnerships, student, alumni and agent networks that we have established in China. The Beijing Prepare Education Office will be the new base for Maynooth University’s activities in China and will allow prospective students greater access to information and opportunities at MU.
Professor Patrick Mc Cole, Vice-President International said, “The opening of our new China office in Beijing earlier this week marks a significant milestone in our internationalisation strategy. This new base will enhance our mobility and recruitment ambitions in this crucial market while also coordinating and strengthening our existing Transnational Education (TNE) partnerships and regional partnerships. Moreover, it will provide an opportunity to establish new partnerships aligned with our strategic priorities.
The opening ceremony, held against the backdrop of St. Patrick’s Day at the Irish Embassy in Beijing, was a momentous occasion, supported by senior government officials. Maynooth University, our students, and our network of stakeholders at home and in the region are eagerly anticipating the opportunities that this strategic decision presents. We are excited to showcase the benefits of this new and exciting chapter in our history in the years to come.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all those involved in making this remarkable achievement possible.”
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Prepare Global Education, who will operate the new office, was founded in 2008 initially as an international education consulting company to provide student recruitment services and promotion in the China market for overseas institutions. With a “rocket raising” demand for internationalisation in Chinese universities, they later expanded their services to institutional partnerships by building up international programs, faculty training, and research collaboration to enable their partner institutions to meet strategic internationalisation goals. To further enhance and facilitate their foreign partners’ business in the Chinese market, they now also assist partners with in-country expertise and the operation of China offices. We look forward to working closely with Prepare Global Education to enhance our services for our prospective students from China. * Appearance from left to right -Jerry Zheng Prepare Education Beijing Office, Dr. Yulia Kharchenko, Hector Liu Beijing Prepare Education Office, Prof Valerie Heffernan, Bridget Carey, Prof Patrick McCole. ** Audience at the Irish Embassy, Beijing, China - 17 March 2025