In a recent survey conducted by international management consultancy Nous Group and global education provider Navitas, it has been revealed that international students remain a paramount focus for university leaders in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This emphasis on international student recruitment is primarily driven by the imperative to recover from pandemic-induced losses.
The report, titled “Thriving in a Hyper Competitive World,” underscores that the need for an influx of international students is further compounded by the dearth of public funding for universities, escalating operational costs, and a notable decline in the number of Chinese students, as reported by Erudera.com.
The survey indicates that 48 percent of university leaders strongly affirmed that internationalization stands as a high priority within their respective institutions, while an additional 46 percent expressed agreement with this sentiment.
Across all three surveyed countries, approximately half of the respondents concurred, either strongly or with agreement, that their university possesses the necessary skills and capabilities for internationalization efforts. However, it is worth noting that the proportion of leaders who expressed dissent was slightly higher in Australia and the UK compared to Canada.
Furthermore, 33 percent of respondents strongly concurred that internationalization enjoys robust support at senior levels within their universities, while 43 percent expressed agreement, and 15 percent maintained a position of neutrality.
The report aptly suggests, “To ensure they can deliver on their institutional strategy, international leaders must present a vision that takes into account the university’s constrained resources and the competing agendas of diverse stakeholders.”
University leaders articulated their reliance on local representatives and private partnerships, including entities that facilitate student admissions, in their pursuit of internationalization goals.
When quizzed about their priorities in the recruitment process, leaders overwhelmingly cited the paramount importance of financial considerations. Specifically, 52 percent of leaders asserted that revenue generation was the foremost concern, with 28 percent prioritizing the attraction of more students. Surprisingly, less than 15 percent highlighted diversity or educational quality as their chief focus.
The report astutely observes, “There are thus very few universities that are planning to achieve quality and diversity by turning students away or substantially raising acquisition costs per student.”
The survey participants anticipate a probable upswing in tuition fees for international students in the forthcoming years. This outlook stems from observations made between 2020 and 2022, when fee increases were either nominal or nonexistent.
Australia, Canada, and the UK stand as global leaders in attracting international students. Recent data illustrates that Australia welcomed a total of 710,893 international students for the January-July 2023 period. In Canada, there were 807,750 study permit holders, including those in higher education, in 2022. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the United Kingdom hosted 679,970 international students during the 2021/22 academic year.
In conclusion, the survey underscores the resounding commitment of universities in Australia, Canada, and the UK towards prioritizing international student recruitment. This concerted effort is driven by the imperative to recover from pandemic-induced setbacks, alongside challenges posed by constrained funding, escalating operational costs, and shifts in international student demographics. As these institutions navigate these complexities, a strategic vision that accommodates diverse stakeholder interests and resource constraints is essential to ensure successful execution of their internationalization strategies.
