International students are paying massive fees to third-level institutions but getting very little in return, it was claimed yesterday.
The Union of Students of Ireland (USI) said the students were being treated identically to their Irish counterparts, with no account taken of their special needs.
"We're calling on the colleges to properly address the needs of international students," said USI president, Ben Archibald.
A systematic approach had to be put in place which would include mentoring for students, support services and even halal meat for the large numbers of Muslim Malaysian students.
USI is to debate a motion on the issue at its annual conference in Ennis this weekend. More than 240 delegates are attending.
According to the Higher Education Authority, there were students from more than 150 countries in Irish colleges in 2002, including 662 Malaysians, 225 Chinese and 99 Indians.
Mr Archibald said students studying medicine were paying up to €15,000 each year in fees.
"They're paying massive fees, so this is a serious issue," he said.
There would also be motions about the problem of mental illness in college.
"There is a level of serious depression and serious stress among young people, and the suicide rate has skyrocketed. We want to get Government to identify this as a serious problem," Mr Archibald said.
The Government should follow the lead of the Health Promotion Agency in Northern Ireland, which had implemented a successful third-level mental health programme.
Among the issues to be discussed at the conference are the centralisation of the grant system, greater student input into the future of third-level education, the capitation fee as well as various issues relating to student health which would enable those currently in third level to be given support during their studies, USI said. Mr Archibald said: "This year's USI congress marks an important juncture in the national student movement's development.
"With a recently appointed Minister for Education it is vital that a clear message is sent out that students are not going to be fobbed off with empty promises.
"Our members continue to achieve their potential in spite of rather than because of the Government's third-level policies.
"Enough is not being done to ensure that students are given the support they require to complete courses, while many more are being put off going to college because they simply cannot afford to do so.
"With over 230 delegates in attendance, USI will look to introduce policy that will continue the fight against further charges being heaped upon students, who can little afford to obtain an education as it is, as well as addressing the issues that affect students in their everyday college life," Mr Archibald added.