University College Cork is to step up its efforts to woo Chinese students by opening a representative office in Beijing to promote the college.
"The aim of the office is to strengthen our representation in northern China particularly," according to Louise Tobin, UCC's international education officer. "China is a priority area for us."
The office will provide information for students and their parents about the university.
Ms Tobin said the number of Chinese students enrolling in the college had increased from five a few years ago to close to 150 now.
An estimated 3,000 Chinese students attend Irish third-level colleges and the Chinese market is key to Government plans to double the number of third-level foreign students to about 15 per cent.
Ms Tobin said UCC could offer academic excellence and a good research reputation, as well as a safe environment for Chinese students, who liked Ireland's high-tech image. The university has set up institutional relationships with 10 Chinese colleges, .
During a trade mission in January led by the Taoiseach, Irish universities signed deals worth about €31 million. The Government has been criticised by English language schools for focusing on the top end of the market and for not doing enough to stop a crackdown on visas for Chinese students.