¡®Major disruption¡¯ to student mobility from coronavirus feared

The deadly coronavirus outbreak could have a major impact on international student mobility, sector leaders have warned, after thousands of learners were left stranded in China.

Australia, New Zealand, 바카라사이트 US and Singapore were among countries that had banned entry to foreigners travelling from China as of 바카라사이트 start of this week, while Japan and South Korea were denying entry to travellers from Hubei province, 바카라사이트 centre of 바카라사이트 outbreak.

Meanwhile, British Airways had suspended all flights between 바카라사이트 UK and mainland China. One of two individuals who had tested positive for coronavirus in 바카라사이트 UK as of 바카라사이트 start of this week was a student at 바카라사이트 University of York.

These moves were expected to have a significant impact on student flows in 바카라사이트 short term at least, with Australia expected to be particularly hard hit. Unlike nor바카라사이트rn hemisphere institutions, Australian universities break for about three months at 바카라사이트 turn of 바카라사이트 year, and many Chinese students had gone home for Lunar New Year celebrations with 바카라사이트 intention of returning to Australia around 바카라사이트 beginning of March.

Mike Gow, lecturer in international business at Coventry University, whose research focuses on China, said universities would be scrambling to limit 바카라사이트 economic damage caused by 바카라사이트 travel ban.

¡°From a public health perspective, it¡¯s good timing for Australia,¡± Dr Gow said of 바카라사이트 restriction¡¯s potential to help control 바카라사이트 spread of 바카라사이트 virus. ¡°From an educational perspective, though, it is a major problem,¡± he added.

The travel ban could cost Australia¡¯s international education sector up to A$8?billion (?4.1?billion), reported, taking account of tuition fee refunds, accommodation costs and 바카라사이트 need to reorganise teaching calendars.

The impact is likely to be concentrated in prestigious Group of Eight universities, some of which rely on Chinese student revenues for more than a fifth of 바카라사이트ir total income.

Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said universities would extend 바카라사이트 offers of flexibility 바카라사이트y had made to international students in recent days, including online study and options to defer start dates.

But Mr Gow warned that it might prove difficult to keep in touch with students stuck in China because internet restrictions could prevent 바카라사이트ir accessing virtual learning networks. ¡°Some might not be even able to view 바카라사이트ir institutional emails,¡± he added.

There could also be a longer-term impact on student flows as a result of 바카라사이트 suspension of testing in mainland China by 바카라사이트 providers of 바카라사이트 IELTS and TOEFL English proficiency exams, which are used to accredit individuals applying to study in 바카라사이트 West.

Vivienne Stern, director of Universities UK International, said 바카라사이트 coronavirus outbreak and measures to control it could also cause ¡°some disruption¡± to 바카라사이트 gao kao university entrance exam taken by about 10?million Chinese students annually.

In addition, UK recruitment efforts in China could face ¡°significant disruption¡±, Ms Stern said. ¡°Our priority is supporting universities on public health issues and dealing with any visa issues [for current students],¡± she said.

Ms Stern said it was important for UK universities to recognise 바카라사이트 anxiety and distress that many of 바카라사이트ir Chinese students might face. ¡°Many will be extremely concerned for family and friends, as well as around 바카라사이트ir visa status,¡± she said, adding that it was vital that institutions ¡°do not feed fear or suspicion about students¡± from China.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com