By Amaka Abayomi

In its bid to give her students more options to study in the UK and Ireland, Olashore International School (OIS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Institute of Education, Ireland to offer foundation courses that will serve as a platform for Olashore students who wish to study medicine to easily transit into medical universities in Ireland and UK.

Speaking during the recent visit of some Irish government officials to Lagos, the Chairman, Board of Governors, OIS, Mr. Abimbola Olashore, said the partnership became necessary so as to give the students more options of schools to study in the UK and Ireland.

He said “the essence of the MoU signing is to give students various options because we realized that quite a number of students want to study medicine and we know that medicine is one of the difficult professions to get into. So this will serve as a pathway for them to study medicine in Ireland and UK.

“It’s a foundation programme and upon graduation from the OIS, those who wish to study medicine will embark on a year foundation programme with us, and then move on for the foundation programme at Ireland which gives them the leverage to gain easy admission into any of the leading medical varsities in Ireland.

“We chose Ireland because some of the leading medical colleges are situated there, the programme is accredited, it’s a platform for smooth transition into the University in Ireland, and has a strong tie with the UK.”

Reiterating that their programme is a leading pre-university college, the Director, Institute of Education, Dublin, Ireland, Mr. Andrew Kearns, said they are proud to sign a pact with one of the most prestigious schools in Nigeria.

His words, “We are the leading pre-university college in Ireland preparing students for the Irish exams which leads to the entry of students to all the leading varsities in Ireland, UK, and in the USA.”