RIYADH, Nov 4(Arab News): Ireland and Saudi Arabia have identified new areas of cooperation in the health sector, Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah told newsmen on Tuesday following talks with Batt O’Keeffe, Irish minister for enterprise, trade and innovation, who is currently visiting the Kingdom.

“The two sides discussed a number of new areas of cooperation in training programs for doctors and nurses and projects in scientific research and transfer of advanced technology in the field of health care, medical devices and health facilities,” the minister said.

Al-Rabeeah recalled that an executive program for cooperation in all areas of health with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland was signed several months ago. The agreement aimed at facilitating  the training of health workers in Saudi Arabia in various colleges and institutes in the Kingdom.

“We are trying to set up training centers of the Irish College of Surgeons and Physicians within the Kingdom that would help both medics and paramedics to update their knowledge and skills on the latest advances in the medical field,” said Al-Rabeeah.

Meanwhile, O’Keeffe announced on Wednesday that an agreement has been made between the Irish and Saudi Arabian governments to train Saudi students in vocational skills at three Irish colleges.

Carlow Institute of Technology, Cork Institute of Technology and Blanchardstown Institute of Technology have been chosen to host hundreds of students from Saudi Arabia.

O’Keeffe said they would “build on our strong relationship with Saudi Arabia, which considers Ireland among a small number of strategic partners in education.”

Athlone Institute of Technology, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and Waterford Institute of Technology already have working arrangements with Saudi authorities for vocational training and education and have around 150 students taking degree programs in Ireland.

“The new agreements with the three institutes of technology will draw hundreds more Saudi students to Ireland under the well-funded scholarship program where they will spend money in the local economy and help to create jobs,” said O’Keeffe. “Saudi students could become new ambassadors for Ireland and choose the country for key investments originating in the Middle East and North Africa region, which is our fastest-growing emerging market.”

Some 800 Saudis are studying in Ireland.