NORTHERN IRELAND
Economical stability
The economy shifted from agriculture to a knowledge economy, focusing on services and high-tech industries. Economic growth averaged 10% from 1995 to 2000. Industry, which accounts for 46% of GDP and about 80% of exports, has replaced agriculture as the country’s leading sector.
Natural environment
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency is an executive agency within the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. It is responsible for the conservation of Northern Ireland’s environment and natural heritage.
Political system
The Northern Ireland Executive is the devolved government of Northern Ireland, an administrative branch of the legislature – the Northern Ireland Assembly. … It is one of three devolved governments in the United Kingdom, the others being the Scottish and Welsh Governments.
The Government of Ireland (Irish: Rialtas na hÉireann) is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland. The Constitution of Ireland vests executive authority in a government that is headed by the Taoiseach, the head of government.
Demographic details
Northern Ireland is the smallest of the four components of the United Kingdom in terms of both area and population, containing 2.9% of the total population and 5.7% of the total area of the United Kingdom. It is the smaller of the two political entities on the island of Ireland by area and population, the other being the Republic of Ireland, a sovereign state which gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1921. Northern Ireland contains 28.3% of the total population and 16.75% of the total area of the island of Ireland. Many people in Northern Ireland have a Northern Irish identity, whether in addition to a British or Irish identity or by itself.
Education system
Education in Northern Ireland differs from systems used elsewhere in the United Kingdom, although it is relatively similar to Wales. A child’s age on 1 July determines the point of entry into the relevant stage of education, unlike England and Wales where it is 1 September.
All children between the ages of four and 16 are entitled to a free school place. The majority of schools are grant-aided, although there are around ten independent schools in Northern Ireland. Controlled schools are managed and funded by the Education Authority (EA) through boards of school governors.
Higher education system
Education in Northern Ireland differs from systems used elsewhere in the United Kingdom, although it is relatively similar to Wales. A child’s age on 1 July determines the point of entry into the relevant stage of education, unlike England and Wales where it is 1 September. Northern Ireland’s results at GCSE and A-Level are consistently top in the UK. At A-Level and BTEC level 3, one-third of students in Northern Ireland achieved A and distinction grades in 2007, which is a higher proportion than in England and Wales.
Why that country suitable for high education:
Higher education in Northern Ireland has existed for over 150 years. Throughout that time the sector has grown and developed, and today it plays a pivotal role in the creation of a sustainable knowledge-based economy and an inclusive society
Higher education in Northern Ireland is delivered principally through two universities, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and the University of Ulster (Ulster), and two University Colleges, St. Mar y’s University College and Stranmillis University College. The Open University in Ireland also makes a significant contribution to the higher education sector. In addition, the six further education colleges deliver a broad range of higher education courses.
Our higher education providers do not only provide a high-quality learning experience; they also play a key role in meeting the skills needs of the local economy, by providing a supply of highly qualified graduates and by reskilling and upskilling the existing workforce. The universities are also a major source of research and development activity. As such, they are critical to the development of a knowledge-based economy, capable of attracting foreign investment and high-value jobs. The universities have also developed a number of highly successful ‘spin-out’ companies. Activities in this area include the development of strategic external partnerships with industry and higher education institutions in Great Britain (GB), the Republic of Ireland (ROI), and Europe and further afield.