In our day-to-day professional work in international education, we all struggle to manage information flow, identify opportunities, synthesize possible solutions, and act appropriately to better ourselves, our audiences, and our world. To help in this often overwhelming task, Social Media & International Education (SMIE) Consulting offers this free weekly e-news brief to share our perspectives and to provide some wisdom along the way. Happy reading!
- As we recover from the holidays, the folks at IDP Connect share a useful video clip on the 12 Days of Data. Some of the top takes - Students use TikTok more than Google for online searches and Gen Z will disrupt international higher ed.
- Interesting to see how the political winds blow with the pending legislation related to banning TikTok use in the U.S. But the question remains, is TikTok too big now to fail? What would the impact be for those who went all in on the platform?
- Following on from last week’s story on South Dakota state employees (including public unis) banning of TikTok on state devices, Auburn and U of Oklahoma specifically prohibit students accessing the platform on university wifi. Yikes.
- Are you using LinkedIn either to connect with prospective graduate students or build your influencer community for your programs? With some specific tips and tricks you can build, speaking from experience, a loyal following on the platform.
International Education News
- Ironically enough, the H1B laws allow recipients, once they have their visa stamp (for an initial 3 years, up to 6 with renewal) don’t have to leave the US if they lose their job, if they can find another employer who can sponsor them.
- I became familiar with the concept of remittance on a trip to Nepal 6 years ago (that country’s #1 source of GDP). But to see the numbers being sent back to India from Indians living/working in the US ($89+ billion) is astonishing.
- The rise of Indian-heritage and Indian-born leaders in corporate America and into university leadership over the last 55+ years is nothing short of remarkable. Long may their success and industriousness continue. Immigrant spirit.
- Student visa numbers from India continue to rise. After the first 8 months of 2022, 82K were issued. By year’s end, according to the US Consul General, that number is up to a record 122,000 student visas.
- Agent relationship management is changing for many universities. Particularly for colleges hoping to scale up and diversify their source markets, use of technology is almost a must if additional staff resources aren’t made available.
- The story of the harassment of a Chinese student at Berklee College of Music by another Chinese student for practicing free speech is a troubling one for all of us on US college campuses. US attorney prosecuting the case says, “We will not tolerate threats, harassment or any other repression attempts against those peacefully promoting their ideas, doing their jobs, or expressing their opinions. Freedom of speech is a constitutional right here in the US and we will protect and defend it at all costs.”
- Looking back at 2022, ICEF suggests three key learnings: the pandemic taught us important lessons, there’s no going back, capacity questions (housing, enrollment), and the competitive advantage of post-study work policies. True that.
- What can universities do to improve the quality assurance of internationalization at home and abroad? This University World News article takes a dive into a world most institutions find a challenge articulating answers for these days.
- Understanding all sides in the debate surrounding the relative value of agent aggregators is not always a cordial discussion. This ICEF podcast brings together four different perspectives in a rather balanced assessment.
- I think all of us in international student enrollment circles would agree that globally in 2023, our biggest wish would be for all the various student visa backlogs around the world to be resolved, tout suite, n’est-ce pas?
- Afghanistan - Though the scandalous decision by the Taliban last week to ban women from university education in Afghanistan should come as no surprise, we can be encouraged and rally to support the call for expanded scholarships for Afghan women.
- Australia - Australian universities are seeing a rebound in international students from 2021, up 32%, with another 12% rise expected in 2023. India, Nepal, and Vietnam are leading the resurgence Down Under.
- Australia - The CEO of Universities Australia makes a plea for her nation’s institutions to redouble their efforts to help international students stay in country for work and migration after studies. Apparently, only 28% do work, only 16% become permanent residents.
- Canada/US/UK - Universities receiving international students should be doing more to care for these overseas visitors during these holiday breaks. Three examples from Brock U in Ontario, Rice U in Texas, and Warwick in the UK give me hope.
- China - It truly is remarkable how the protests in China to the country’s Zero-Covid policies have changed not only the government’s approach to battling Covid but how the larger Chinese diaspora globally has been inspired to join the cause.
- China - Another sign that the Chinese government is trying new ways to stem the pandemic: universities in China are sending students home before the Lunar New Year celebrations late next month.
- United Kingdom - If you’re searching for a thorough analysis of the various challenges facing UK unis seeking to expand their global footprint through TNE and direct enrollments, this University World News article by Louise Nicol should get your attention.
- United Kingdom - One would be forgiven for wanting to adding a word or two to what Prime Minister Rushi Sunak said about Britain’s desire to enroll the “best and the brightest” international students. The word that comes to mind is “only” the best to UK’s best unis.
If you’d like a more in-depth analysis of the main news stories each week, check out our Midweek Roundup international education live chat on Wednesday at 1pm ET on the SMIE Consulting Facebook page, YouTube channel, Twitter feed, and LinkedIn. A podcast version is available as well on all major podcast provider platforms.
