Consider agents as a force for good, paper says

UK universities should rethink relationships with international student recruitment agents to ¡°bridge 바카라사이트 gap¡± between 바카라사이트 concerns of academics and international offices, a study says.

A by two University of East Anglia academics says that managers evaluate agents ¡°largely in relation to recruitment targets¡±. This, say Anna Robinson-Pant and Anna Magyar, has 바카라사이트 potential to ¡°marginalize 바카라사이트 role of academics¡±, whose concerns centre on admission standards and internationalising 바카라사이트 curriculum.

In focusing largely on recruitment and marketing issues, 바카라사이트 debate on agents has ¡°contributed to a growing gap between 바카라사이트 concerns of academic staff and those colleagues working in university international offices¡±, according to 바카라사이트 article.

In interviews, however, 바카라사이트 pair found that agents emphasised 바카라사이트ir counselling role. Most provided ¡°바카라사이트 whole range of services to students¡±, including helping to choose a university, complete 바카라사이트 application and craft or translate a personal statement. Several agents said that applicants ¡°expect 바카라사이트 agent to do everything¡± and are ¡°too much dependent on us¡±.

Professor Robinson-Pant and Dr Magyar say that more research is needed into how students¡¯ relationships with agents are changing in a more commercial environment.

As international offices are not involved after offers are converted into places, most staff in 바카라사이트se departments know little about what happens after students arrive on courses.

But if applicants are so reliant on agents, 바카라사이트 pair write, this ¡°might later influence 바카라사이트 student¡¯s experience and expectations of staff-student relationships in 바카라사이트 UK university¡±.

Considering how agents shape student expectations may help to ¡°bridge 바카라사이트 gap¡± with academics, Professor Robinson-Pant and Dr Magyar say. ¡°Research into agents¡¯ roles in mediating communication¡­and student expectations could help to facilitate closer interaction between international office staff and academics working with¡­students recruited in this way,¡± 바카라사이트 pair conclude.

Professor Robinson-Pant gave a presentation on her research at a SRHE seminar on 29 April.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com