Weekly News Round-Up: May 18, 2023

By Shorelight Team
Published on May 18, 2023

Each week the Shorelight team rounds up trusted headlines on the latest in international education and all things impacting students and universities.

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US Announces End To “COVID-19 Flexibilities” For Online Or Hybrid Study

We all knew this was coming sooner or later! Now that the Covid emergency is over, the various policies put in place during covid are ending. SEVP announced is returning to pre-pandemic policies. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Latest SEVP FAQ 

  • "The new guidance from Homeland Security is in effect as of 11 May 2023. It provides that currently enrolled students may maintain their status in the US while studying remotely during the 2022/23 academic year and for any courses taken during the 2023 summer semester.

  • Any students continuing after summer 2023, however, as well as any new students applying for entry to the US from 11 May forward, will be subject to the normal limits in place on distance learning for purposes of qualifying for a US study visa."

Get the full story on ICEF Monitor >

Experts Push Congress For More High Skilled Immigrants To Compete With China

This article doesn’t specifically address improving processes for international students but acknowledges that more high-skilled immigrants could lead to improved post-graduation work opportunities for international students. Part of our work in D.C. is coordinating our advocacy with employers who are actively engaged in high-skilled immigrant work opportunities. International education must be a part of the conversation, it is where so many potential employees start! The letter can be found here.

Some key points:

  • "About 40% of high-skilled semiconductor workers in the U.S. were born abroad and international students make up about two-thirds of electrical engineering and computer science graduate students, per a 2020

    report from Georgetown University's Center for Security and Emerging Technology.

  • A report last year from the Institute for Progress found 82% of 'companies

    in the defense industrial base report that it is difficult to find qualified STEM workers' and 50% of those who hold advanced STEM degrees and work in the defense industrial base were born abroad.

  • The Reagan Institute's National Security Innovation Base Report Card earlier this year gave the U.S. a grade of D+ for the state of its talent base and pipeline, citing an aging domestic defense workforce and visa hurdles for foreign talent."

Get the full story on Axios >

International Students Boost UK Economy By £41.9 Billion

For those of you interested in our global competition, this won’t come as a big surprise. The UK had set a goal of 625k international students by 2025 and hit and surpassed that goal last year. For clarity, 41.9B pounds is $52B US. 

“This report further highlights the positive contribution that international students make to the UK. They offer both a cultural and social benefit to our country, and make a significant contribution to our economy. We should be proud that our universities continue to attract students from all over the world. It is vital that the UK remains an open and welcoming destination for international students, and that their contribution is recognised and valued. Higher education is one of the UK’s most important and successful exports.”

Get the full story on FE News >