Analysis

From a birthright in international education to a chance encounter with the industry or sometimes just a bold leap from employee to entrepreneur, many business owners started their journey. These innovators are helping shape and direct the industry, and The PIE spoke to many success stories from the education sphere to find out how, why and what next.

Just as it’s hard imagine what life was like before the internet, after 2012’s breakout year for Coursera, Edx and Udacity among others, it’s hard to speak about higher education without mention of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). But will they live up to their billing and revolutionise global higher education, or end up as another online also-ran? Sara Custer investigates.

Many countries are now keen to court foreign entrepreneurs, with Chile being one country offering financial support to those willing to relocate and start-up there. Arundati Dandapani explores the link between foreign study and migrant entrepreneurs and speaks to various success stories around the world for who overseas study led to a whole new world of opportunity.

A pilot study commissioned by the British Council offers a first glimpse into the impact of TNE on host nations, institutions and students. A profile of the typical TNE student was presented this week at a high-level HE Summit, while delegates heard from host countries for their opinions. Sara Custer reports.

With prosperity eluding the majority in Palestine, overseas study remains a luxury available to the very few. Demand is there, however, and foreign schools keen to boost diversity are starting to visit. Daniel Thomas explores the barriers facing a student market that could one day blossom.

Some 2.6 million Indonesians could enter higher education in the next decade—but despite the country's emerging prosperity, the HE sector will not be able to cater for all of them. The number of students studying overseas is likely to grow, but will, as some predict, Indonesia become another major student market? Julian Hall reports...

With good rates of local enrolment and strong demand from Asian and African students in particular, Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) is evolving into the regional higher education hub it wants to be. DIAC is clear on how it will develop in the future – building and expanding its range of HE programming to complement its current offer from 26 resident institutions and directly feed into the skills needs of the Middle East. Amy Baker reports.

Overseas education has always been a booming industry, and in billion-plus and burgeoning India, its effects can only be reaped. Surplus demand for the best domestic colleges, and unrealistically high entrance requirements, set off around 400,000 young Indians overseas in search of a more rounded education each year. Arundati Dandapani assesses the appeal of some of the top destinations vying for a share of the Indian student market.

The King Abdullah Scholarship Programme is one of the largest national scholarship schemes in history: Saudi Arabia has invested US$5 billion sending hundreds of thousands of students to study a language and targeted degree programmes overseas. The programme is not without its trials, but its benefits – both social and cultural, as well as to the bottom line of institutions – are evident. Dan Thomas reports.

The last few years have presented the international education sector with significant challenges, but the continuing demand has kept most businesses buoyant and growth on the agenda. The PIE takes a look at a selection of the key players in language, pathways and higher education that are navigating through somewhat turbulent times.

Australia's liberal approach to work rights and new generous rules on post-study work for graduates are the envy of other education destinations. Yet according to an independent report, access to Australia's labour market is being relaxed at a time when the employment boom is over. The result will mean marginalised Aussies unable to access the labour market. But sector stakeholders slam this position as too simplistic, observing migrants often do jobs shunned by locals. Sara Custer delves deeper.

Sixty per cent of the graduates of Hult International Business School find employment outside their country of origin. Many savvy operators are now enabling their students to leave "global-work-ready" by blending education with career counselling, professional experience or multi-campus instruction.

Education agents from around the world are becoming increasingly interested in Turkey as a study destination, as traditionally popular choices become less affordable and tighten their borders, The PIE News has learned. Incentives for students include Turkey’s potential to join the EU next year, more affordable education and comparatively relaxed visa system.

Russia will double the number of scholarships for foreign students at its universities from 10,000 to 20,000 in a further bid to increase interest in its education system. However, the president of Russia’s Association of Foreign Students has told The PIE News that the country has a long way to go to fulfil its potential as a study destination, and the lack of a coordinated strategy on building numbers does not help.

Using or reappraising relations with education agencies, or outsourcing other aspects of international student recruitment – whether that is social media management, enquiry management or regional representation – is on the rise within UK higher education. Jim Butler reports on the new recruitment environment, as competition intensifies for overseas students and operating conditions also turn the screw.