I'm slowly coming to the view that academia and universities are going through a generational change in several countries.
First there was the pandemic, and huge changes to the nature of delivery of academic courses.
Now, governments are increasingly looking to limit the international university business model that has developed over recent decades. Regulations on what universities can and should do will increase, with a focus on the local rather than the league table, and the sector will have to change to respond.
As one colleague suggested to me recently, using a good Aussie phrase, "it's a spill". Or more likely, a chance to 'spill and fill' as the sector adapts.
What lies ahead? Here in Australia I can envisage an increased focus on meeting national needs over international student training. No more university expansion. Long term, I can see positives. But for now, for many, it is a time of uncertainty and change.
Nicole Parsons
in reply to Andy Baker • • •In some nations, international students are viewed as sidestepping the immigration process. They obtain a student visa then declare asylum upon arrival or marry a local.
theconversation.com/setting-th…
bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cx28gm…
It's one of many xenophobic malign influence narratives, not supported by verifiable data.
In fact, these nations are skimming the best & brightest of other nations' youth in an era of historically low birth rates, caused by Republican & Tory wage suppression.
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Permanent residency for international students: Canada address issues about work permits and PR for students
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Nicole Parsons
in reply to Nicole Parsons • • •2/6
Whenever Tory or Republicans corporate interests are faced with rising wage demands to cope with a rising cost of living, these political parties will temporarily relax legal immigration policies to undercut unions etc & keep their profiteering.
International students are viewed as contributing to the affordable housing crisis & rising rents, rather than rightfully blaming price fixing algorithms like RealPage.
RealPage targets college towns deliberately.
wired.com/story/realpage-says-…
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Nicole Parsons
in reply to Nicole Parsons • • •3/6
They're blamed for rising tuition fees that price locals out of postsecondary education. Facilities subsidized by local taxation.
forbes.com/sites/annaesakismit…
However many institutions would be closing if not for the influx of international students as government support for colleges shrinks, and that's what the right wing wants, fewer college educated citizens, both foreign & domestic.
International students keep the economies of college towns alive.
theworld.org/stories/2024/03/2…
U.S. Hosts Record 1.12 Million International Students, Adding $50 Billion To Economy
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Nicole Parsons
in reply to Nicole Parsons • • •4/6
Book publishers rely on international students for their revenue.
International students have been used as vehicles for money laundering from repressive regimes like China & Russia.
Many oligarchies reserve college education for the children of their moneyed & influential classes, & bottleneck access using horrifically difficult to pass entrance exams.
The exams are intended to reduce social mobility & mixture of ethnic minorities & castes
abc.net.au/news/2024-11-09/new…
home.barclays/news/press-relea…
Chinese international students tricked into laundering scam victims' money across borders
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Nicole Parsons
in reply to Nicole Parsons • • •5/6
As a condition of getting an exit visa approved, some international students may not have a choice in becoming "money mules". Their parents & siblings are held hostage by the regime or organized crime.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/1…
Future remittances keep many overpopulated nations like the Philippines afloat.
Like international trade, international students quell the xenophobia that leads to world wars. The benefits outweigh the negatives in general.
Anything that increases contact & ...
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Nicole Parsons
in reply to Nicole Parsons • • •6/6
... breaks down social barriers decreases the risk of violence.
Ancient Rome extended the lifespan of its empire with the taking of elite hostages. It enabled diplomatic relationships (of a sort) to form.
ancient-origins.net/history/st…
chs.harvard.edu/chapter/2-the-…
It occasionally backfires though.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armini…
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle…
oig.justice.gov/reports/INS/e0…
The USA & UK uses their elite educational systems to maintain support for their empires, by co-opting the elites of other nations
The Strategic Use of Hostages in the Ancient World
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