Talking about change has been a constant for us over the past few Think Education podcasts and indeed books we have written. Today we talk about international students and the changes that are afoot. While we recorded this episode a few months ago, the subject is still as relevant today as it was then.
Political issues are driving actions and students are often at the end of the process and feeling the brunt of action – along with the financial bottom line of many universities, and the communities in which they operate, around the world.
Education may well be a public good, but it is also a political tool – particularly when we consider this within the landscape of transnational education.
Judith reflected on whether this is seen as a ‘blip’ that can be weathered and ‘got through’ or an indicator of a much broader and deeper change in higher education and identified that are conversations about programme pricing models and the reality that costs over the past decade have naturally changed and the need to ensure that this is more clearly articulated and understood. Judith further explained that research funding loses universities money and so international students are one of the only real ways in which the financial stability can be supported – and the impact that recent changes have had on universities. TNE is not the answer to this, however.
We referred to recent conversations and podcasts we have had with Jazreel Goh and Douglas Proctor about student movement, TNE hubs and changing patterns of recruitment because of policy changes.
Chris talked about the international student movement in Dubai and the relative sustainability of the model. The aspirations are certainly here to increase international student numbers and the likelihood that this will see positive impact as a result of global trends.
Students still want to travel, and they want education as a means to improve skills and to lead to employability. Where will they go now and how will this be facilitated? We talked about the changes that may well be coming and possible growth in the vocational space, apprenticeships, and indeed the work force itself.
This led us to once again consider the purpose and value of a university and how it connects people to the wider world. How do we demonstrate value to communities? To students? To parents? To employers?
#yorkies #pricing #costs #highereducation #internationalstudents #strategy
