Surge of Chinese students in US elite unis, Universities UK chief warning on potential financial doom, and more in this week’s MSM Reporter

Amid increasing tension between the United States and China, Chinese international student enrollment at seven top US universities rose by 33% to over 12,600 in 2022. However, overall Chinese degree-seeking students in the US fell by 20% due to factors like Trump-era visa restrictions, pandemic disruptions, and anti-Asian hate incidents. Chinese students still favor elite US universities, often limiting choices to top-tier colleges due to geopolitical concerns. Affluent Chinese families continue to send their children to schools in America mainly to seek residency and in anticipation of potential political instability in China.

Canada is considering capping the number of international students admitted to address the housing affordability crisis. Immigration Minister Marc Miller has expressed concern over the “disconcerting” volume of international students, with nearly one million admitted in 2023, a record high. He has also stressed the need for a cap to alleviate housing demand, although specific details are yet to be provided.  The housing crisis, driven by supply issues, affordability challenges, and rising interest rates, also puts pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. However, a cap poses challenges for colleges relying on international student tuition fees. 

UK universities face financial deficits due to a decline in international students, partly attributed to government hostility, Universities UK CEO Vivienne Stern has warned. Reliance on non-European Union students, contributing almost 20% of income, has increased over the past decade with frozen domestic tuition fees. A PwC analysis projected around 40% of institutions may be in deficit in 2023-24, decreasing to 19% by 2025-26. Stern has called for tuition fee adjustments, increased government grants, and stabilizing the international market. The report also warns of potential compromises in education quality due to financial pressure.

Ireland’s Global Citizens 2030 strategy aims to attract high-quality students and researchers to the country by the end of the decade. The plan involves a 10% rise in overseas higher education students, deploying “talent and innovation attachés” globally, introducing an international quality mark for English language schools, and fostering ties with European universities. The goal is to position Ireland as a “first choice” destination for international learners, despite acknowledged constraints like limited accommodation and rising domestic student numbers.

Trade apprenticeships for international students in Australia are believed to help address skill shortages in the construction sector, impacting national housing goals. However, visa restrictions and misalignments between course hours and migration requirements pose challenges for foreign students seeking apprenticeships. Concerns include limited training places, potential exploitation, and safety risks due to language barriers and low wages. The federal government’s migration review has excluded tradespeople from the “specialist skills” pathway, despite a precedent set for international students in aged care.

Over the last decade, the number of Bangladeshi students in the US has soared by over 300%, reaching 13,563 in the academic year 2022-23, according to the US government’s Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange 2023. Citing The Daily Star report, among them, 2,500 are pursuing undergraduate degrees and nearly 10,000 are enrolled in graduate programs, placing Bangladesh seventh globally for graduate student enrollment in the US.

Two years ago, Canadian federal public servants were warned about the impact of increased immigration on housing affordability and services. Despite the concerns, the government decided to raise the annual intake of permanent residents to 500,000 by 2025. The surge in population, driven by immigration, has heightened housing affordability concerns and increased pressure on health care and settlement services. Per recent data, Canada’s pace of population growth is on a record-setting direction, as the country brings in a historic number of temporary residents mostly via international student and temporary foreign worker programs.

German universities currently host over 6,800 Greek students, marking Greece as the 19th country in foreign student numbers for the academic year 2022-23. The data, presented by the German-Hellenic Business Association, indicate sustained interest from Greek students in German education, with numbers consistently above 5,000 over the past decade. The economic impact of foreign students in Germany is substantial, contributing 1.531 billion euros ($1.7 billion) in consumer spending – generating 400 million euros ($435 million) in public tax revenues – and creating 22,000 new jobs.

British universities have witnessed a troubling surge in students plagiarizing personal statements for university applications over the past two years, with cases doubling and three out of five involving international students, according to Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) data. Since the launch of generative AI chatbot ChatGPT, identified plagiarism cases have increased by 15%. In 2023, UCAS detected 7,300 plagiarized personal statements, marking a 105% increase from two years ago. The majority of cases were from the UK, India, Nigeria, Romania, and China, with Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Greenwich, and Birmingham City University having the most plagiarized applications.

A report showed a 40% decrease in study permit applications from Indian students for education in Canada, citing high living costs, a housing crisis, and a tough job market as top reasons. In July to October 2022, Canada processed nearly 146,000 applications, down from less than 87,000 in the same period the previous year. Despite the decline, there’s no notable rise in interest for major English-language destinations such as the US, the UK, and Australia through a significant increase in visas issued to account for Canada’s decline.

Nigerian students are facing increased difficulty getting admitted to Canadian post-secondary institutions as some schools now limit applications due to a surge in study permit approvals, rising from 2,788 in 2019 to 23,930 in 2023. Factors like program availability and visa processing times contribute to the challenge, making it tougher for African students, including Nigerians, to enroll. This has prompted a reassessment of enrollment strategies for responsible and sustainable practices.

Saudi Arabia’s higher education sector, currently the Gulf’s largest, needs to add 800,000 seats by 2030 to meet increasing demand, particularly in technology and sustainable energy. The report underscores a reliance on public institutions, with 95% of the two million students in 2022 enrolled in them. Aligned with Vision 2030, the report also recommends increased private sector involvement and anticipates a shift toward emerging fields such as artificial intelligence. The private sector, akin to the UAE and Egypt, is urged to consider establishing branch campuses of international universities within the country, targeting institutions hosting a significant number of Saudi students.

Fox Valley Technical College, a distinguished two-year public institution located in Appleton and Oshkosh, Wisconsin in the United States, has been a cornerstone of the local community for over a century. Offering more than 200 programs, the college is dedicated to providing high-tech occupational training, catering to individuals preparing for new careers or honing their existing job skills. With a focus on hands-on education, small class sizes, and up-to-date technology, students at Fox Valley Technical College benefit from a supportive environment where instructors genuinely aim to see them grow and succeed.

The college’s mission is to provide relevant technical education, support student goals, and contribute to the economic vitality of communities. Its vision is to be a catalyst for innovative educational solutions. Core values include collaborative partnerships, continuous improvement, a culture of caring, customer focus, diversity, equity, inclusion, innovation, integrity, and sustainability.

The Interdisciplinary Health Studies program at Mount Allison University provides a comprehensive approach to health, incorporating biological, behavioral, social, environmental, ethical, historical, cultural, and population perspectives. The Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) in Interdisciplinary Health Studies integrates knowledge from life sciences, social sciences, and humanities, aiming to develop critical thinking and communication skills in students. 

The program offers options for BASc major, BASc honors, and a minor. Graduates of Health Studies are well-prepared for various careers and further studies in fields such as medicine, health promotion, public health, health law, advocacy, global health, occupational therapy, social work, and counseling.