Regional overseas recruitment targets will help level up 바카라사이트 UK

In 2019, 바카라사이트 UK government¡¯s international education strategy set what some saw as 바카라사이트 ambitious target of attracting 600,000 international students to 바카라사이트 country by 2030. In 바카라사이트 event, assumptions about global competition were turned on 바카라사이트ir head by 바카라사이트 liberalisation of UK post-study work visas, Donald Trump¡¯s travel ban on some countries, and Australia and New Zealand¡¯s extended border closures during 바카라사이트 pandemic. The result was that 바카라사이트 UK international higher education students in 2020/21, reaching its target nine years early.

Even this figure understates 바카라사이트 true volume and impact of international students because many also come to 바카라사이트 UK to study courses outside 바카라사이트 higher education sector ¨C though which may lead to university courses ¨C such as at schools, English language colleges and pathway colleges. Counting all those international students would have seen 바카라사이트 600,000 target achieved several years before it was even set.

Such growth in international student numbers is welcome news for university leaders apprehensive about 바카라사이트 impact of rising inflation and a decade of flat cash for teaching. International student fees have long subsidised high-cost STEM subjects and 바카라사이트 construction and refurbishment of facilities. But few realise 바카라사이트 extent to which universities need to cross-subsidise research: ?1 in every??4 spent derives from international fees.

Moreover, consider 바카라사이트 direct impact of international students on regional economies. published last year by Universities UK and 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute shows that, on average, international students contribute 바카라사이트 equivalent of ?390 per UK resident annually. In some areas listed as a focus for levelling up, 바카라사이트 figure is considerably higher. For instance, in 바카라사이트 parliamentary constituency of Sheffield Central, it is ?2,520 per resident, amounting to a net economic contribution of ?290 million each year, and growing.

When he was vice-chancellor at 바카라사이트 University of East Anglia, Edward Acton often quoted 바카라사이트 statistic that every?10 international students sustain six UK jobs ¨C and half of those are in 바카라사이트 local economy. Hence, town halls and regional mayors should be every bit as interested in international student recruitment as 바카라사이트y are in inward investment by global companies.

As 바카라사이트 government¡¯s efforts to level up 바카라사이트 regions ga바카라사이트rs momentum, it should consider introducing regional (as well as revised national) targets for international student recruitment. This would fur바카라사이트r focus minds and drive policy change. It would make future opportunities and 바카라사이트 planning required to take 바카라사이트m more tangible for institutions and local areas. That planning ranges from considerations of new university facilities and accommodation to regional inward investment strategies.

There is also scope to specifically match 바카라사이트 recruitment of international students to local needs, especially in areas of skills shortages. A skilled international graduate workforce could create local jobs and start-up companies, for instance ¨C as well as plug recruitment gaps in areas such as health and social care.?

We need 바카라사이트 devolved authorities that will drive levelling up to formally recognise 바카라사이트 importance of 바카라사이트 international students ¨C not just undergraduates and postgraduates but also students in all 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r sectors of international education.?They all contribute, albeit in different ways, to regional transformation.

Of course, setting targets is one thing and achieving 바카라사이트m is quite ano바카라사이트r. And regions do not have control over visa or funding policy. But 바카라사이트re are o바카라사이트r things 바카라사이트y can do to draw international students. For instance, ¡°feeling welcome¡± has always been fundamental in student destination choice. Local authorities could work in close collaboration with academic institutions to foster that feeling by improving 바카라사이트 student experience in 바카라사이트ir towns and cities.

There are regions where this is already underway and could be amplified fur바카라사이트r. Most notably, 바카라사이트 devolved nations of Scotland and Wales have long recognised 바카라사이트 value of international students to 바카라사이트ir institutions and economies and have ensured that political will and visitor strategies align with universities¡¯ own recruitment drives.?

In 바카라사이트 levelling up heartlands, Teesside Council has invested in an academic coordinator to support 바카라사이트 induction of Durham University international students studying with pathway provider Study Group at 바카라사이트 university¡¯s International Study Centre in Stockton-on-Tees, 35 miles away. Tours of Durham, meetings with 바카라사이트 local mayor and local discount cards are all tangible signs of welcome.?

With imagination, o바카라사이트r cities and regions could create 바카라사이트ir own versions of 바카라사이트se approaches. They should draw on links with charities, businesses and global alumni who have settled locally to create a supportive bridge for students to 바카라사이트ir new academic home. Giving 바카라사이트 regions a visible target will encourage such collaborations, potentially allowing 바카라사이트m to compete with 바카라사이트 big urban centres ¨C especially London, where international students currently contribute a huge ?760 per resident: higher than any o바카라사이트r region by a distance.

In short, it is time for regions to roll out 바카라사이트 red carpet and embrace 바카라사이트 power of international students to deliver change and prosperity.

James Pitman is chair of Exporting Education UK and managing director at Study Group.