Crisis Response: Adaption and Innovation to Support International Student Success

Colleges and universities around the world are addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the full spectrum of their activities. Most have appointed a lead officer for coordinating the response, have put communication protocols in place, and have enacted risk assessment processes. As Canada’s fastest-growing tech company, ApplyBoard is actively engaging with our Partner Schools to ensure that contingency planning for the successful recovery from the COVID-19 crisis is guided by a student-first approach, informed by our knowledge, data, tech capacity, and international perspective. 

The Impact of COVID-19 on Enrollment

The risks to individual students, and the larger issue of the continuity of international student enrollment, are paramount. Canada’s success in continuously increasing international enrollments over the past ten years means that some institutions face budgetary risk approaching 30% or more of projected revenues. Prolonged restrictions on mobility will create situations of deeper isolation for thousands of international students that call Canada their home. Moreover, the longer travel restrictions are in place, the more significant the impact will be. It will be difficult for institutions to project and plan for the September 2020 intake if the typical component of international students—up to 50% of their expected new enrollments—are prevented from beginning or continuing their studies.

It is well-documented that international education, as a Canadian industry, accounts for more than $16B in economic impact. Every three international students in Canada support one FTE position. Education leaders know that off-shore activities, international research, and development projects account for just a small portion of that $16B figure. The bulk of the economic impact comes from international student enrollments in our world-renowned education system. Losing new international students is a missed Canadian employment opportunity, not to mention the negative impact this will have on individuals already working in the education sector.

A shock to international enrollment has increasingly been on the risk management agenda for Canadian educational institutions for years. Many assessed a low-to-moderate risk of a change in government policy (Canadian or another country) that would result in international enrollment decreases. Cited precedents include the ~20% losses in year-over-year enrollments Australia experienced in 2009 due to policy changes surrounding visa grants for the private sector, media coverage of reported racist incidents, and anti-immigrant shifts in political rhetoric. 

Canadian institutions are well beyond that level of risk now. As Alex Usher’s recent “One Thought for the Day” blog post underscores, thinking about September must start now. The risk assessment must begin with the possibility that September classes will begin online, even for new students who have not yet applied to study at Canadian institutions.  

Supporting International Student Success

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world, ApplyBoard held conversations with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding flexibility on international study and work permit policies. Our recommendations support the students, schools, recruitment partners, and the other sector stakeholders we work with including Universities Canada, Colleges and Institutes Canada, CBIE, and others. We recommend that the Government of Canada immediately enact policy and make supportive announcements that enable all international students with a study permit, including those dated after March 18, 2020, to either:

• Begin their studies virtually from abroad and qualify time spent in full-time virtual education from a Canadian Designated Learning Institute (DLI) toward post-graduate work permit (PGWP) eligibility, until such time that they are reasonably able to attend in-person, full-time studies in Canada; or
• Be exempt from border crossing restrictions, as has been afforded to those with a study permit approval dated prior to March 18, 2020

It was very positive to see that the IRCC has demonstrated responsiveness and international students with existing or pre-approved study permits, as of March 18, 2020, were included in the recently announced exemption categories to travel restrictions. 

Despite the expansion of post-graduation work opportunities in the UK and Australia, PGWP is a key factor in Canada’s competitive positioning for international enrollments, making further flexibility regarding online learning a necessity. PGWP is a key differentiator and benefit of obtaining a Canadian education. Post-graduation employment opportunities prepare students to become contributing members of the Canadian workforce. Moreover, such experience is key to preparing people to be successful immigrants to Canada, contributing to Canada's continuing economic and social prosperity.

If the global COVID-19 pandemic persists, requiring an online start for international and domestic students in September 2020, online classes need to be supported with online orientation, onboarding, and access to tools including learning management systems. 

It is important to recognize that even with a government policy shift enabling an online start for September 2020 classes, many international students will still need to defer their studies. While none of us know when travel restrictions will be lifted, we recognize that typical September arrivals of incoming international students will be diminished. We are urging our Partner Schools to quickly consider increasing program availability and capacity for January 2021. 

In the past, many institutions have compensated for lower September enrollments by adjusting curriculum, staffing, and scheduling to accommodate larger incoming enrollments in January. Institutions that are able to accommodate larger numbers of new international students, outside the traditional cycle of the September to May academic year, will be well-positioned to compete.

Addressing the Difficulties of International Students in Canada

Many institutions have recognized the need to move classes and the delivery of student services online. Services focused on the needs of international students will help to ensure that current students feel supported. Several of our Partner Schools are already conducting special advising webinars and online sessions focused on the international student population. Additionally, others are providing access to international student advisors, counselling support, and numerous other services online through video conferencing software. 

As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, institutions are recognizing that many international students have lost their primary source of income. This makes it even more challenging for students to pay for their rent, meals, and other necessities. There are many efforts underway, led by institutions, organizations, and individuals, to support students. For example, many student associations have increased their efforts at local food banks to provide access to food for those in need. We would like to hear from our Partner Schools about the efforts underway to support the financial and emotional needs of international students so that we can determine how ApplyBoard can support those efforts.

Turning the Corner to Be More Competitive 

ApplyBoard is engaging with our Partner Schools that recognize this period provides us with the opportunity to gear up our systems, processes, and technology to emerge more competitive. The landscape for international student mobility will likely shift. Not only will the paradigm shift in online learning affect cross-border student mobility, but the fact that China, India, and other regions—not to mention Canada, the UK, US, and Australia—will emerge from this crisis at different times, impacting opportunities available for students. During this time, we can gain technological advantages that will enable us to gear up quickly, effectively, and with agility when the opportunity comes. 

Several ApplyBoard Partner Schools have signed partnership agreements to integrate ApplyProof, developed by ApplyBoard, into their admissions and onboarding systems. ApplyProof is a document verification system that enables immigration officers to validate the authenticity of a document. By viewing the digital original held securely by ApplyProof, fraudulent documents in the visa application process are mitigated. What is currently accomplished through workarounds and time-consuming manual processes, can be accomplished in seconds. 

International admission offices will need to review and consider their processes. Official transcript submission may be delayed; institutions with policies for conditional admissions or later confirmation of official documents will have a competitive advantage. As end-of-year exams may be cancelled in many major markets, admissions offices with the foresight to determine admissions standards that do not depend on final exam marks will lead the competitive charge. The ApplyBoard Platform offers solutions to many of these challenges, including the facilitation of transcript submission and automation of steps in the application process in accordance with updates to the policies and practices of our Partner Schools. 

As has been the case during previous global crises, ESL and EFL programming has felt enrollment effects early. Likewise, the closure of testing centres for TOEFL/IELTS has already impacted many students. Many institutions have responded by deferring the assessment of language ability. Others have implemented their own online English proficiency tests or utilized platforms, like Duolingo, as alternatives to traditional testing methods. The ApplyBoard Platform offers the technological agility to communicate changes in requirements and policies to applicants.

Enabling Effective Recruitment

ApplyBoard is also a powerful solution for student recruitment. The application funnel for most international enrollments, especially from India, has traditionally depended on face-to-face interaction with recruitment partners. ApplyBoard Recruitment Partners are well-positioned to pivot toward online interaction. Our Recruitment Partners continue to assist students by using our innovative technology and responsive customer support staff, who continue to work remotely around the world. 

ApplyBoard is actively collaborating with our Partner Schools to ensure that they are able to offer programming and pricing that match market demand. Scholarships and program price adjustments, as well as programming created to meet specific market needs, have been incredibly successful in the past. Initiatives like these will likely be more necessary in the weeks and months ahead. 

Many Recruitment Partners are small to medium-sized businesses whose cash flow is restricted during contractionary periods. Educational institutions should consider expedited or advanced payment of commission fees to encourage these crucial small businesses to continue their important work.

Planning for the Future

In these times of uncertainty, it’s vital that we begin taking proactive measures to give our students the best chance of success on their educational journey. We need to look for ways to support students beyond just going digital with teaching initiatives. The impact of COVID-19 is far-reaching, beginning even before students apply to study abroad. 

With many educational institutions in source countries being forced to close for the foreseeable future, students likely won’t be able to complete their 2020 studies. As a result, final high school and university results will be delayed. Admission teams will need to adapt processes in the short-term to accommodate late student applications and provide conditional acceptances.

As COVID-19 continues to negatively impact the economy and financial system, acquiring loans for tuition and necessities will become that much more difficult. We encourage our Partner Schools to look at developing exclusive scholarships and bursaries to reduce financial strain and uncertainty. Additionally, with many countries enforcing lockdown policies, earning money to pay for tuition has become that much more difficult. Students may require more time to secure funds, requiring an extension on payment or even a reduced initial fee to secure their seats. 

Committed to Student Success

Larger enterprises have tried to copy the ApplyBoard model of supporting students, Recruitment Partners, and our network of Partner Schools for recruitment and onboarding. They have realized that we are much more than an information source. Our AI-powered platform empowers students to make informed choices about their educational journey. Further, our technology and dedicated staff allow us to efficiently and effectively assist both students and partners wherever they may be in the world—from initial inquiry through selection, admission, and enrollment. 

While international educators have faced unprecedented crises in the past, we have developed solutions and ways to move forward that we now look back on as norms. While we are likely experiencing a paradigm shift in student mobility, we are confident that our partners and colleagues have the creativity, wisdom, and commitment to student success to realize outside-of-the-box solutions.

Historically, economic turndowns have resulted in reinvestment and re-engagement with educational opportunities. Canada’s educational institutions remain global leaders for quality, inclusivity, employment, and immigration outcomes. This has been the foundation for our success over recent years. While Canada has profited during that time from other countries implementing policies that steered international students toward us, as we gear up for the return to whatever the new normal will be, we need to ensure that we continue to rely on our strong fundamentals—enabling us all to be that much more competitive.

Authors:

Meti Basiri - Co-Founder and CMO of ApplyBoard

Dan Weber - Sr. Director, Innovation and Strategy of ApplyBoard

Dr. A. Michael Allcott - Director of Partnerships for ApplyProof