Domestic News
Visa Operations Bring Record Achievements Worldwide
Following the news from the Open Doors report, the U.S. State Department has just released a statement touting their achievements for 2023. While these numbers are impressive, we continue to discuss with agency officials the need to expand capacity. We are seeing continued growth from India, Africa and other global south countries.
Preparing Americans for a global environment and attracting future leaders from abroad: International students at U.S. colleges and universities inject up to $38 billion dollars annually into the U.S. economy.
The Department issued more than 600,000 student visas, the highest in any year since FY 2017.
Our embassy and consulates in India issued an all-time record of more than 140,000 student visas.
The Department issued nearly 40,000 student visas to African students, of which more than 9,700 visas were to Nigerian applicants.
Read more on the State Department website >
International Student Numbers in US Show Fastest Growth in 40 Years
Following the previous article, international students are back on the rise, maintaining the US as the top choice for students seeking higher education abroad!
“Students from around the world are continuing to recognize the United States’ global leadership in higher education, ranging from two-year community colleges to four-year universities and beyond,” says Lee Satterfield, assistant secretary of state for Educational and Cultural Affairs. “With nearly 4,000 accredited institutions of higher education in the United States in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., there is plenty of capacity to increase international study here, and the U.S. government and American colleges and universities are eager to welcome them,” Satterfield says. “There’s something for everyone – whether learning a trade or pursuing a degree in technology.”
Get the full story on U.S. News & World Report >
Can US - China Student Exchanges Survive Geopolitics?
This is a really good read about the current relationship between the US and China and the impact on international student exchange. China remains a major source of international students for the US, but as we all know, we have seen those numbers begin to shift. Politics between our two countries were strained before the pandemic, which continued to further erode the relationship. The recent meeting between President Biden and President Xi was an important first step in getting our two countries back on a forward-looking track.
Both Beijing and Washington have acknowledged the importance of restoring exchanges. During his trip to San Francisco this month, China’s leader, Xi Jinping, declared that China was “ready to invite” 50,000 Americans to study in China over the next five years. The American ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, has insisted that the United States welcomes Chinese students.
Learn more on the New York Times >
AI Evolution Sparks a Worldwide Surge in STEM Enrollments Among International Students
Reviewing study trends by international students has shown that the majority of international students are choosing STEM fields. Earlier this year, the US government classified 22 new fields of study as STEM. With AI’s increasing role in the professional world, educational institutions are adapting their curricula to incorporate AI-related courses, emphasising the development of skills like machine learning, data analysis, and automation. The linked article below discusses the impact of AI on STEM.
In the realm of international education, STEM education has become a focal point, with students and professionals recognising the vast potential of AI on a global scale. India stands at the threshold of an educational renaissance, with STEM graduates projected to increase from 2 million in 2019 to an astounding 10 million by 2025. This surge is a response to the escalating demand for STEM-related skills, expected to spike by 50% within the same timeframe. This growth mirrors a global trajectory, indicating an almost 11% increase in STEM job opportunities by 2031. Such trends underscore the boundless opportunities that await individuals pursuing careers in these dynamic fields.
Read more on CXOToday.com >
State of Recruitment 2023
For those interested in data, the Keystone Education Group has a new report that includes good information around the decisions that are driving student choices, such as program and country as well as length of program.
Request the report from the Keystone Education Group >
Global News
Canada
International Students Anxious as 20-Hour-Per-Week Work Cap Could Be Re-Imposed
The lifting of the limit has allowed more than 800,000 international students to access more part-time jobs while offering them a pathway to more full-time work, according to figures from IRRC last year. While the previous cap excluded on-campus work and summer jobs, advocates say it hampered international students’ ability to gain valuable work experience in Canada — a critical step towards qualifying for permanent residence.
Read more on New Canadian Media >
Australia
Will Australia Cap International Student Numbers? Everything You Need to Know
In recent days, international students have been a popular topic of conversation in Australia’s media landscape. For instance, several publications have debated the role of international students in Australia’s rental crisis. Some have expressed that immigration – including the high volume of international students moving to Australia – is to blame for the nation’s housing shortage, while others have argued that international students and migrants are just a “convenient scapegoat”.
Learn more on Insider Guides >
UK
Satisfaction Among Overseas Postgrads Higher than Domestic - Report
When looking at satisfaction in various areas – resources, teaching, engagement, assessment and organisation – non-EU domiciled students’ satisfaction was trending higher in every category. For example, in resources, UK students reported 87% satisfaction; non-EU students reported 93%.
Read more on The PIE News >
