This week's top #socialmedia and #intled news feature Sinboris's new Asian social media management platform, a new US-Vietnam strategic partnership, WVU's abandonment of foreign languages confirmed, continued challenges with international student housing (and one solution), problems with agent aggregators, and more.
- The word “game-changer” is thrown around too cavalierly in our profession, particularly in the international ed-tech space. But having seen the front end of social media management internationally for the past 15 years, this Sinorbis offering is the real deal.
- Can AI positively impact English language learning in the years to come? To find out the answers, it may well be worth attending this upcoming ICEF webinar assessing AI and linguistics.
- When it comes to soft power, there’s been a lot of debate as to what defines that for different countries lately. This Inside Higher Ed podcast shares interesting takes on how the US president’s use of Twitter impacts this nebulous concept.
- I cannot express how happy it makes me to see an article like this that expresses the need for personalization in student recruitment. Without it, we’re no better than whispering into nothingness, expecting results.
- For several decades, quality has been the primary factor prospective international students mention when choosing the US for their higher education. This QS report suggests what we should do to reinforce that in our messaging.International Education News
- Very encouraged to see education featured so prominently in the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It is particularly important to see a significant focus on STEM education across all sectors of education in both countries.
- Karin Fischer’s latest Latitudes edition leads with a useful summary of the changing attitudes of the US and China toward each other with a focus on higher education in the US and how quality for years has driven Chinese students here.
- Despite heroic efforts, nothing could save the foreign language programs (among other things) at West Virginia University last week. The light got a lot dimmer for international education in the Mountaineer State.
- Proud of the leadership of ECE in this announcement by a working group of top credential evaluation companies encouraging higher education institutions to accept the digital delivery of educational credential evaluation reports.
- What is the purpose of international education? This University World News article tackles the evolving nature of our field: “The past century has also witnessed the evolution of international education from colonisation to decolonisation to recolonisation.” Agree or disagree?
- It seems like there are new international student surveys coming out on the regular these days. This ICEF Monitor piece shares five insights into three of the largest surveys this year. Fascinating thoughts worth a read.
- The growing data on how comfortable international students are with online courses (particularly in other countries like the UK) while living abroad reflects the impending sense of a huge “missed opportunity” if the US doesn’t change immigration regulations.
- So true: “The future of college admissions does not have to be bleak.” But I do contest the assertion that international students will face a tougher time being admitted. The reality is that at the most selective schools, they already face odds under 10, if not under 5%, of being admitted.
- Australia - Anyone else seeing similarities between the current situation in Australia and Canada with record numbers of international students and significant housing shortages? Now, one in ten people in Australia is on a student or graduate visa.
- Canada - Well, according to this article, the blame for the housing crisis in Canada (and elsewhere) is squarely at the foot of governments that weren’t planning long-term. Does anyone else want to take a shot at why?
- Canada - Really, Ontario? In this runaway international education province, 76% of all tuition fees in the college sector (vocational) come from international students, who are expected to make up 50% of all students enrolled.
- Canada - It sounds like higher education north of the border is at a crossroads. Very insightful article on the challenges faced by universities in Canada, particularly with the impact of growth from international students.
- Canada - What sums up the situation in Canada these days? Do they need a “babysitter” (a bit harsh) or a reality check? This quote sums it up: “Canada’s education?export growth?has been unmatched in recent years, but these accomplishments may also be its Achilles’ heel.”
- G-20 - Within the many declarations of the G20 conference in New Delhi, it is somewhat comforting to see seven announcements about the importance of education, particularly in terms of access and inclusion.
- India - One of the agent aggregators in India has had one of their subagents run afoul of the law by having fraudulent transcripts in their offices. While this aggregator canceled the contract with the sub-agent, they have been suspended by Australia.
- Netherlands - If you’re looking for a country whose government is taking action to solve its housing crisis for students, look no further than the Netherlands. Darn Dutch, so pragmatic.
- Taiwan - A country that sees its future in recruiting and retaining international student talent to study and then stay in the country to work is Taiwan. Targeted scholarships for students in key East Asian neighboring nations are their way forward.
- United Kingdom - For European students considering the UK for higher education, the challenges with housing, higher costs, and, surprise, Brexit are turning them off from studying at British universities.
- United Kingdom - Indian students have always been drawn to the UK for higher education studies, especially in the last few years. However, challenges in obtaining employment are beginning to take the shine off the experience.
If you’d like a more in-depth analysis of the main news stories each week, check out our?#MidweekRoundup?#intled?#livechat?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.
