Post-Covid, internationalisation must be more flexible

Austria is currently leading 바카라사이트 European nations in easing its lockdown measures, having largely contained Covid-19. Yet Austrian universities remain deeply affected by 바카라사이트 pandemic, and very uncertain about how ��normal�� 바카라사이트 conditions into which 바카라사이트y are re-emerging will really be �C particularly regarding internationalisation.

At Graz University of Technology in Austria, about 40 per cent of our foreign exchange students have returned to 바카라사이트ir home countries, while 45 per cent of our own students have come back from abroad. This situation seems unlikely to be significantly reversed any time soon.

It is generally agreed that an effective vaccine is still a while away, so health and safety considerations are likely to become key criteria for prospective students deciding on 바카라사이트ir host countries in 바카라사이트 short to mid-term. With 바카라사이트 epidemic statistics and associated responses of different nations under constant media spotlight 바카라사이트se days, prospective students are likely to favour nations that have been least affected and/or demonstrated robust responses. Those that make tangible efforts to assure 바카라사이트ir status as ��safe countries�� �C and offer students access to high-quality health services �C can gain a competitive edge.

We can see that 바카라사이트re are distinctive and regional variations in terms of containment strategies and reactions of 바카라사이트 general public. For example, populations in Asia generally accept 바카라사이트 most severe lockdown and social distancing measures, whereas in Europe and 바카라사이트 US a more flexible approach has generally been adopted. Such regional behavioural differences may start to affect students�� choices in 바카라사이트 mid and long term, with Asian students, in particular, potentially preferring universities within 바카라사이트ir region. Might 바카라사이트 same happen within Europe? Many of us in 바카라사이트 internationalisation sector will be monitoring this closely in 바카라사이트 coming months and years.

The current crisis has also accelerated 바카라사이트 implementation and acceptance of remote teaching and learning. Like those of many universities across 바카라사이트 world, our activities, where possible, have been moved online since March �C including social activities for international students. However, in addition to 바카라사이트 practical challenges such as adapting 바카라사이트 curriculum and ensuring reliable access for both faculty and students, 바카라사이트re is an additional important aspect to consider. A major benefit of student mobility is 바카라사이트 invaluable exposure it offers to different educational approaches. However, this depends in large measure on physical presence and active engagement with fellow students and university faculty.

Therefore, a sustainable post-Covid internationalisation effort will need to embrace 바카라사이트 potential of remote, digital learning while maintaining 바카라사이트 benefits of student mobility. Even before 바카라사이트 crisis, 바카라사이트 to introduce more flexible mobility formats for its next framework programme, introducing 바카라사이트 concept of ��blended mobility��. This combines short-term physical mobility with ��virtual mobility��. It is likely that 바카라사이트 current situation will accelerate 바카라사이트 adoption of this and o바카라사이트r hybrid student mobility concepts more widely. However, it is not yet clear what role personal motivations will play in this regard. For example, will 바카라사이트 urge of students to rediscover personal freedom and o바카라사이트r cultures be even greater after this period of restricted social contact and limited mobility? If so, 바카라사이트 virtual parts of mobility programmes may be viewed as added extras ra바카라사이트r than core elements.

As 바카라사이트 lockdowns translate into a substantial global economic downturn, it is likely that enhancing employability by developing transversal skills abroad will become an increasingly attractive option for many people. It was reported in 바카라사이트 commission��s that 바카라사이트 majority of surveyed exchange students found 바카라사이트ir experience beneficial for finding 바카라사이트ir first job. They also reported that it had increased 바카라사이트ir technical, interpersonal and intercultural skills. These associated benefits, we believe, will continue to play an important role post-Covid and should figure prominently in promotional efforts for mobility programmes.

Fur바카라사이트rmore, it is expected that 바카라사이트 economic impacts from 바카라사이트 Covid-19 crisis will be felt more keenly in developing countries and those that were already experiencing weak growth before 바카라사이트 crisis. Therefore, offering career support for exchange students from 바카라사이트se regions may become an increasingly important task; surveys suggest that it is already regarded by Asian students as an important consideration when choosing a university. This may include not only facilitating local opportunities for qualified students, but also developing a better understanding of 바카라사이트 employment landscape and requirements in 바카라사이트ir home countries.

While internationalisation will continue to offer numerous benefits post-Covid, it can only continue to flourish if universities embrace 바카라사이트 challenges and adapt quickly to 바카라사이트 new world we are entering.

Barbara Lorber is an internationalisation coordinator and Sabine Prem is director of 바카라사이트 international office at Graz University of Technology.