Developing an encompassing strategy for the internationalisation of education is essential for destination markets to remain competitive in an expanding international higher education sector, says a new report published today.
The Global Race for International Students compares the national policies and strategies specifically in support of international student mobility in ten key higher education markets outside the UK.
The policy environment in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, are compared and analysed, with specific reference to mobility, recruitment targets, transnational education, global rankings, scholarships and student residence rights.
The report says that patterns of student mobility are changing, with increasing investment in transnational education and new education technologies; technology will change the way students learn and impact on student mobility. As such, national policies will necessarily have to grow and be adjusted to envelop an even larger scope of strategies.
However, the impetus for a government to devise and implement an internationalisation policy may differ greatly from market to market.
The report finds that international education strategies that are well-integrated on a regional, as well as a national level, with other areas such as immigration and tourism are generally more comprehensive than those that are not.
Zainab Malik, Research Director at the British Council, and report author said:
‘A nation’s education industry is key to its economic prosperity as well as its long-term international diplomacy, innovation and arts and culture. Attracting internationally mobile students is pivotal to giving graduates the skills necessary to excel in a shifting economy. Government, the higher education sector and industry all benefit from joining together to create supportive policies that, in the end, provide students with the best opportunities for success.’