February 1, 2021

Social Media News

If you’re looking to improve your social media game, there are some simple ways to do so: choose platforms wisely, focus on engagement, promote your accounts, stay consistent, produce quality content, keep your finger on what’s trending, and be accessible.
China still is the #1 source of intl students for the US. How are you keeping up with changes there? Need some help? Check out the PIE News webinar on Feb 3 with Sinorbis for some excellent info and options.
The team at We Are Social once again puts real numbers to the state of digital in the world today: 66% of the world's population now uses a mobile phone, 4.2 billion social media users - adding half a billion new users in the last year.
TikTok, the short-form video king is still booming, but two competitors, Byte and Clash, have just merged to fight for increased market share along with Instagram’s Reels product.
Intead’s look at the way different intl admissions offices have implemented Slate as their CRM shows that without significant tech support and manual manipulation, success will be hard to come by.
Making video ads can be a trying and sometimes costly process. Here’s a useful article on ways to make low-cost video ads that deliver results.

International Education News

Big Picture Issues

Africa clearly will receive significantly more attention from the Biden administration than its predecessor gave. If African nations are realizing the cost of China's Belt and Road Initiative, the opportunities for growth are significant.
Interestingly, though the US dominates most global rankings, not a single US institution enters the top 25 of the world’s most international universities according to TimesHigherEd.
Gotta love the two recommendations this higher ed association letter to the new Secretary of State makes: 1. (with DHS) work on reducing OPT and visa processing times and 2. allow for dual intent possibilities for F-1 visa applicants.
Very encouraging to see the Education Department considering yanking ACICS ability to accredited colleges (resetting policy to the Obama administration). Too many bad eggs got through ACICS very porous net.
10% of US business schools are opting out of rankings this year, largely due to making their admissions process more flexible due to Covid-19, i.e. making GMAT optional.

Solutions Central

Is there about to be a four-way battle royal brewing for internationally mobile students? Potentially yes as the US, UK, Australia, and Canada look to be entering 2022 from a position of strength. Strong argument being made by a trusted British colleague, Alan Preece.
I believe there is bipartisan support for this proposal, to grant green cards to all intl PhD graduates, and am glad to see this being backed up by solid research.
Managing the China challenge will be the greatest international test the Biden administration will face. Will there be a coherent policy put in place to deal with the various threats we face?
Does the way US institutions measure internationalization need to change as a result of Covid-19? Perhaps yes. Interesting case made that the metrics are too narrow.
While I’m leery of the rule by executive order approach both former President Trump and now President Biden have taken, these four ways to improve immigration-based employment opportunities make sense.

Test-Optional Updates

As we’ve discussed, the testing industry has been rocked of late. With recent changes at College Board, there’s some serious downsizing going on, n’est-ce pas?

On-Campus Happenings

What’s happening at Colgate and other selective institutions this year is nothing short of unexpected. With such a surge in applicants for first-year studies, what are the main drivers? Test-optional is certainly one of them.
Here’s another take on the recent research advocating for green cards for intl PhD grads. Data suggests that the greater majority end up getting permanent residency but face years’ long waits. Common sense action needed.
Do enrolled students want to get the Covid-19 vaccine? About 75% want to get it as soon as it becomes available.71% also believe colleges have the right to require vaccinations before coming back for in-person classes. Wow.
How have colleges made it through periods of increased Covid-19 cases this past fall? More testing, better contract tracing, and improved social distancing/mask policy enforcement.
Great summary from the Chronicle on biggest lessons learned from the fall 2020 term with regards to Covid-19 mitigation efforts.

Global Roundup

Down Under, over 165,000 intl students still cannot return to or begin studies at Australian universities. No date’s been set for the gates to be opened, but will proof of vaccination from students move the needle?
There’s some relief for Australian institutions that have taken big hits with loss of international students this past academic year - apparently domestic student numbers are up.
For international arrivals in Canada, new restrictions announced by Prime Minister Trudeau will require Covid-19 testing on arrival AND 3-day quarantine at visitors’ expense before entry to the country will be allowed.
Are you looking for a solid overview of the German education system? Check out this report from WES. Very useful.
Nothing like a national government directive to prompt action. Will the UGC’s plans in India requiring universities to set up international affairs offices to promote “Brand India” make a real difference?
For a country like New Zealand, a normal year would see 21,000 intl students start studies in the coming weeks. The best case scenario for NZ universities this year is 10,000 by year’s end.
How will UK unis adapt to the new relationships with EU partners? While there is much confusion currently, a new mercantilist approach may be in order.
What has driven UK higher ed international enrollments this academic year? Non-EU students (surprise, surprise) apparently, up 23% in the past year. Note - this doesn’t include this past fall’s enrollments.
What an interesting development. “Millions in unexplained wealth” is now in the UK from children of “politically exposed persons” in Africa. I wonder if similar, if not more substantial numbers would be reported in Switzerland.
For the UK, the renewed 2-year post-study work visa is an important step forward, but will mean nothing if prospective employers aren’t aware of the program and the necessary steps to hire intl students.

February 1, 2021

SMIE Consulting Midweek Roundup