“We have been through a lot over the past few years, but now is the time to identify and address the issues critical to the future of international education,” Esther D. Brimmer, executive director and chief executive officer of NAFSA, said.

“Sustainability is one of the great questions of our time and we will examine it many different aspects… Of course, this is not the first time we have addressed sustainability, indeed we have addressed this issue in our work and research, and NAFSA’s sustainability SIG has been active for over a decade.”

“We want to build our sustainable future for those that need us,” says @EstherAtNAFSA from @NAFSA “Students and scholars need us. The world needs international educators… amid rising authoritarianism and violence our mission remains vital”#nafsa22 pic.twitter.com/d8ytRYejGM

— The PIE News (@ThePIENews) May 31, 2022

NAFSA “seeks to develop support and integrate sustainable practises into our work as international educators”, Brimmer added. “There is much to do. Each step counts. Thank you for being part of our sustainable path. NAFSA recommits to this effort and looks forward to working with you.”

The US is also continuing to drive ahead with targeted marketing to prospective international students globally.

While NAFSA is continuing to lead the #YouAreWelcomeHere campaign, Temple University has launched the new WhyUS? campaign that focuses on alumni stories and offers scholarships.

“Together we can work to building the numbers back up again,” Martyn J Miller from Temple University said, following several years of enrolment declines. “Let’s go out and realise fully why [international students] need to be studying in the US.”

Additionally, the Department of Commerce is leading on the USA: A Study Destination campaign, launched in late 2021, that collaborates closely with the US study state consortia.

The new US Department of Commerce engagement for the industry is “aimed at boosting US education exports by promoting the US as a premier destination for international students to study”, Gabriela Zelaya from the US Department of Commerce said.