One in Three International Students Getting Work in Denmark

More than 30 per cent of international students at higher education courses in Denmark get a job here directly after finishing their education. This is shown by a new analysis from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

– The figures are encouraging and confirm that Denmark is an attractive place to live and work for talented young researchers and highly qualified people, says Science Minister Helge Sander.

– We must naturally endeavour to make it still easier and more attractive to stay, both in terms of career guidance by universities, fieldwork by companies, and more attention to any barriers of a political nature.

– For one thing, the international young people may contribute to meeting Danish companies' need for qualified manpower, and for another, jobs in Denmark after their education will strengthen Danish relations with the foreign research environments in which the young people may be working later on in their careers, says Helge Sander.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has increased its focus on the linkage between attracting international students and the employers' need for highly qualified manpower. For instance, an education and career day was recently held in Shanghai, China, where highly qualified Chinese students had the opportunity to meet representatives of Danish educational institutions and enterprises.

– We would like to have an extended collaboration with Danish enterprises in this area. To that end, employers may help in recruiting international students, for instance by offering them traineeships or student jobs, says Helge Sander.

Science Minister Helge Sander can be contacted via the Ministry's Information Manager, Allan Boldt, tel.: +45 33 92 97 39, abo@vtu.dk .

The analysis was conducted by CIRIUS (Centre for Information and Consultancy on International Educational and Collaborative Activities) and the Danish University and Property Agency, both under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Further information about the analysis can be obtained from CIRIUS, Ken Thomassen, Chief Consultant, tel.: +45 33 92 62 43, kt@ciriusmail.dk .