International Student Mobility in Sub-Saharan Africa: Trends in Nigeria and Ghana — Part 1
With all eyes on Africa as the next big emerging market, we have much to learn about what the drivers are behind this new student mobility. This article published by WES and WENR focuses on Nigeria and Ghana; both countries have a growing middle class and large student populations. Understanding the student profile from these countries should better help us in our recruitment efforts.
“The main beneficiaries of the trend will be host countries with liberal immigration and student visa policies, and open labor markets, as well as countries that offer inexpensive higher education, large-scale scholarship programs, or other benefits that help offset the high cost of international education for African students.”
Read more on World Education News + Reviews >
US and China Inch Towards Renewing Science-Cooperation Pact — Despite Tensions
With so much negative news on the US-China relationship, it is good to see that there are some issues that bring us together. It is important for both our countries to work together on new science and technologies. We both benefit by cooperation. With the upcoming elections, much remains to be seen.
Sources familiar with the negotiations, but not directly involved, say that despite tensions between the two countries, signs point to a renewal — but the pact is likely to become more limited in scope. They also think that the upcoming US presidential election could be factoring into the delay, given that cooperation with China is a politically sensitive issue that could affect voting.
Learn more on Nature >
ACE Calls for Policy Focus on Higher Education in Presidential Campaigns
It’s always good to see a call-to-action by a higher education association. ACE calls on the presidential candidates to focus on higher ed and they include international education!
Support for international students: ACE calls for improvements in visa processing to attract and retain global talent, which enriches American campuses and contributes to the nation’s economic growth and innovation.
Get the full story on ACENet >
Canada Announces Updates for Foreign Enrollment Cap and Post-Study Work Rules
More changes in Canada. The cap on international students now going through 2026.
The new settings include an extension of the current cap on foreign enrolment through 2025 and 2026. The cap for each of those two years will be set at 10% less than the 2024 level.
The cap now captures master’s and doctoral students for 2025 and beyond, whereas students in advanced degrees were previously exempt from cap limits.
Degree graduates will remain eligible for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) of up to three years. International students approved for a study permit after 1 October 2024 – if they graduate from college programmes – will no longer be eligible for a PGWP unless their programme is linked to an area of high labour market demand.
Spousal work permit eligibility will be further limited as well. Later this year, only spouses of master’s degree students whose program is at least 16 months in duration will be eligible for a spousal permit.
As part of changes to the PGWP Program, all applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in French or English.
Read more on ICEF Monitor >
