Visa restrictions drive workers out of US, Canada most attractive to startup founders (US for int’l students), and more in this week’s MSM Reporter

There are more jobs, workers, and resources being sent outside the United States as a result of immigration limitations, according to the 2023 Immigration Trends Report by the Envoy Global and Cint, which surveyed more than 500 human resources experts from various industries. The survey revealed that 86% of employers elected to hire personnel outside of the US for roles that were originally intended to be filled domestically due to the uncertainties surrounding visa restrictions. Meanwhile, 82% of employers had seen a foreign national employee forced to depart the country, being unable to obtain or extend an employment-based visa in the last year. Another study cited more than 50% of voters saying that increasing high-skilled employment-based immigration (57%) and allowing international students with in-demand degrees to stay and work in the country (56%) would have a positive impact on the economy.

Canada has ranked as the most attractive country for startup founders, garnering high scores in all dimensions as well as the availability of a specific start-up visa. The US trailed Canada thanks to its strong startup ecosystem environment, although the indicator of the Organization of the Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) pointed out that spouses of startup founders may not be enjoying full access to the labor market and there is no direct path to permanent from startup residency. The US still held power, though, when it came to international students. The OECD’s talent attractiveness score involved seven dimensions, namely quality of opportunities, income and tax, future prospects, family environment, skills environment, inclusiveness, and quality of life.

A recent poll conducted by Public First and Universities UK has revealed that the majority of the United Kingdom public is against limiting the number of international students in the country. According to the survey, 64% of the respondents believed that the number of international students in the UK should at least remain the same or increase rather than being restricted. Additionally, 62% of the respondents stated that international students have contributed more to the UK economy than they have received. Some 43% also thought that having students leave the country with a positive impression is an advantage for British diplomacy. Earlier this year, the media reported plans to introduce new immigration rules affecting international student numbers, specifically the ease at which they can come to the UK with their dependents.

Plans are underway for the government to pour €41 million to construct new accommodation at Dublin City University. According to Minister Simon Harris, at the helm of the Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science office, the new investment will support the delivery of 405 new student accommodation beds at DCU. These beds will add to the existing 667 new beds approved last year and are part of the Irish government’s effort to offer more purpose-built student accommodation. “By increasing the number of beds available, we are helping more people access accommodation and also helping to relieve some of the pressures in the housing market,” Harris said. 

Deakin University will soon open the first campus of an Australian university in India, as confirmed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. According to Albanese, the campus will be constructed at the new GIFT district and will offer students the opportunity to learn cybersecurity and business analytics with the renowned Australian institution. The decision comes as the demand for an Australian degree among Indian students is blooming, with almost 44,000 visa applications from India received in January and the country leapfrogging China for the first time as the number one source of international students. The courses to be offered on campus will initially comprise Master of Business Analytics and Master of Cybersecurity before expanding to degrees from the fields of science, engineering, business, law, and built environment.

Following the flooding and damage that resulted from cyclone Gabrielle, New Zealand has launched the Recovery Visa, a new visa type for entry-level migrant workers. Through this visa, skilled migrant workers would be allowed to work in the country for six months at a maximum. It will also allow the flow of international specialists to come to New Zealand and offer support in ways that include emergency response, cleanup, risk assessment, infrastructure and housing stabilization, and direct recovery support. This is not the first time the country has altered its work visa policies, following the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes, the government also shortly introduced similar visa plans aimed at recovery.

Undergraduate students are no longer required to submit ACT and SAT scores when applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, Columbia University, joining other higher education institutions that have already abolished the said requirements. As specified in the university’s announcement, the university decided to permanently remove SAT and ACT standardized test requirements from its admissions process to offer both opportunity and flexibility to students, so that they can fully represent themselves and show their academic skills, goals, and interests. Columbia also committed to “continue to evaluate all submitted information within an individualized application review process that considers the unique combination of circumstances shaping each applicant’s journey.”

The students of Fanshawe College in Canada have once again celebrated Holi, the Hindu festival of colors. As part of the festivities, the community enjoyed splashing brightly colored powders, dancing, painting, and tasting South Asian desserts. According to Sid Singh, a first-year international student studying business management and an event ambassador for the Fanshawe Student Union, the celebration of Holi – alongside other multicultural events – is intended to give the students a sense of belonging. “It makes us feel like we are back at home, so it’s good to see that Canadians are involved with us and care about our festivals,” shared Singh. Moreover, for international students, the gathering served as a respite from their studies and part-time work.

A survey conducted by the Russell Group of universities has revealed a distressing statistic: one in five students considered dropping out due to the financial strain of attending university. The findings suggested that many students have been unable to meet their basic needs, with reports of going without food or other essentials, and even suffering academically due to financial pressures. Among those most likely to leave were students from marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds and disabled and part-time students. International students, who are not permitted to work more than 20 hours a week, have also been badly affected. The Russell Group urged the government to take urgent action in the upcoming budget and provide increased financial aid to those who are most in need. 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently released a draft of regulations that paves the way for foreign HEIs to establish and operate in India, a move expected to bring some of the most highly ranked universities worldwide to Indian soil. The satellite campuses of these universities will operate with full autonomy when it comes to fee structure, admission process, and repatriation of funds. Advocates of the policy noted that Indian students will be able to benefit from the quality education provided by these universities, at affordable costs, without having to leave the country. Australia’s Deakin and Wollongong are two institutions confirmed to set up their offshore campuses in India’s Gujarat International Finance Tec (GIFT) City.

African and Asian students studying in Ukraine when conflict erupted are still in limbo: they are unable to continue due to the tumultuous environment and safety concerns. Some were compelled to return to their war-ravaged home countries in order to complete their postsecondary studies. A number of students even encountered racism at their border crossings, and certain universities in Ukraine even required their presence and the signing of a waiver, taking full responsibility for any risks associated with traveling to the region. While hundreds of students were evacuated from Ukraine by their own countries, some stayed in the bordering European nations to which they had fled – with many yet to be granted refugee status. 

Currently there are 41,850 international students from 109 countries studying in universities in Jordan, with a diversity of foreign nationalities that includes Palestinians, Syrians, Iraqis, Egyptians, Kuwaitis, Omanis, Malaysians, Filipinos, and Yemenis. To further its goal of international student diversity, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Jordan Tourism Board formulated a plan to attract more students in the coming years. Out of its international student population, 5,154 are studying pharmacy while 5,000 are engaged in medical studies. Other in-demand areas of study include educational sciences and teacher training, engineering, humanities, literature, commerce and business, mathematics, computer science, and auxiliary medical sciences.

Fox Valley Tech is committed to providing students with the opportunity to gain real-world experience, build job skills, and prepare for a new career. With over 200 programs offered, graduates of the college have an impressive employment rate, an average annual salary of $46,455 after just six months, and a satisfaction rating of 96%. The college also provides volunteering opportunities and events such as the Fox Cities Employment Fair. This commitment to student success and development is a testament to the quality of education available through the Wisconsin institution. 

The Continuing Care Assistant program is a one-year certificate program designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide care for clients in various settings. Tuition for the program includes books, health insurance, and mandatory fees. In order to gain admission to the program, applicants must meet certain requirements, such as having a Grade 12 English Language requirement, a minimum overall average of 6.5 for IELTS-academic, and 105 for Duolingo. The program is comprehensive and covers different topics related to care and communication, including long-term care philosophy, dementia management, personal care, and interpersonal communication. Those who successfully complete the program will be well-prepared to deliver quality care to the clients they serve.