QGA welcomes international students to Belfast 
19 September 2016
Queen’s Graduates’ Association (QGA) introduced dozens of international students to the delights of a traditional Northern Irish breakfast – including the world-famous Belfast Bap – on Saturday (17 September) at St George’s Market.
Over 50 first-time international students attended the event and were hosted by QGA President Feargus McCauley and members of the Association committee. Guests included students from Germany, the USA and India and Malaysian Association (QUAAM) member Parnam Singh (MSc Civil Engineering, 1989), who was on a week-long return visit to Belfast to catch up with the civil engineering faculty.
Queen’s is currently ranked the 24th Most International University in the world (2016) according to Times Higher Education (THE). The survey considered each institution’s percentage of international staff, its international student numbers and the proportion of its research papers published with a co-author from at least one other country.
Commenting on the Welcome Breakfast – the first time the QGA has hosted international students at St George’s Market – Feargus McCauley said: “We are delighted to welcome so many international students to Queen’s and to Belfast as part of the University’s International Week.
“While the QGA exists primarily to keep alumni in contact with the University after they graduate, there is certainly no better time to start what we hope will be a lifelong relationship than when these individuals arrive as students in their first year.”
The QGA was established in 2003 following the merger of the Queen's University Association (QUA) and the Queen's Women's Graduates Association. The QUA was founded in 1927 and has been keeping members in touch with one another and with the University for almost 90 years.
The Association organises a varied programme of regular activities throughout the year including talks and visits (mainly in the Belfast area) and University-focused events. The highlight is always the annual 'black tie' Charter Day Dinner in the Great Hall in November, which attracts around 100-120 graduates and guests.
“In what was a really wonderful event, over 50 students from all around the world got to meet fellow international students, members of the Association and some current Queen’s staff – not to mention sampling some of our great local cuisine including soda bread and the world-famous Belfast Bap (!) – in an atmosphere that was fun, informal and very welcoming,” added Feargus.
Find out more about Queen’s as a destination for international students here.
General media inquiries to Gerry Power - Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office, Queen’s University Belfast, tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.
Back to Main News
Top of Page