In formulating Australia’s long-term international education strategy, emphasis should be placed on prioritising soft power influence over purely economic impacts, leveraging universities as key drivers. This approach aims to position Australia as a leader in addressing global challenges by harnessing the potential within its academic institutions.
The authors caution against Australia’s lack of domestic diplomacy, which poses a risk to the nation’s global standing. Particularly, any mistreatment or experiences of exploitation, exclusion, or racism faced by international students upon their return home could significantly tarnish Australia’s reputation. This is especially crucial considering the increasing global traction of soft power initiatives, exemplified by China’s endeavours to offer scholarships, Mandarin teaching, and skill support through initiatives like the Belt and Road.
The report strongly advocates for Australia’s prioritisation of educational soft power and developmental efforts within the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia regions over the next three decades. This approach involves offering higher education scholarships to individuals in these areas and facilitating cross-cultural learning experiences for Australians.
Global demographic shifts are expected to impact Australia’s international education sector. By 2050, lower-income countries are expected to have robust working-age populations, while parts of Europe and East Africa will continue to grapple with aging populations. Consequently, there will be shifts in the global demand for higher education. The report recommends Australian institutions collaborate with countries projected to experience significant working-age population growth.
In addition, the report underscores the need for greater familiarity and engagement with African markets in the international education sector. Emerging markets such as Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana display remarkable increases in international student numbers, presenting substantial opportunities for educational collaboration.
Given the challenges faced by young job seekers in China, the report anticipates a growing inclination among Chinese students to seek employment and long-term migration opportunities in Australia.
