Overseas students benefit Britain
The cultural and diplomatic benefits of educating overseas students have been highlighted in a new government-commissioned study.
The report, entitled The Wider Benefits of International Higher Education, follows a survey of students who have returned to their home countries after graduating here in the UK.
According to the findings they left with “very positive” memories of their time in this country.
And that, the authors say is good for the support of the UK and its products, culture and language overseas.
One of the former students, who studied economics at Cambridge in the 1990s before working at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, is now at director level in one of China’s national banks. He is reported to have said that because of his education, the UK has “a friend down in China”.
The Coalition has finally, it seems, switched on to the importance of overseas students to the UK economy.
Business Secretary Vince Cable has already announced plans to increase the number of overseas students in UK universities by 20 per cent over the next five years – that’s an extra 90,000 students.
The government’s new International Education Strategy revealed this summer that the UK’s education export industry is worth a staggering £17.5billion to the economy.
It’s all good, positive stuff for the UK’s higher education sector. And it comes as Portergate Property Management chairman Anthony Jackson returns this week from his investment drive in China, selling its luxury student accommodation philosophy to Asia.
However, it’s not only overseas investors that are excited about the company’s new stylish £18 million Riverside House student accommodation development in Salford.
Riverside House, which sits on the banks of the River Irwell in Blackfriars Road, is a hotel-class purpose-built building containing 242 luxury en suite student rooms and it is attracting a strong proportion of overseas students, impressed by its location and its facilities.
Parents of overseas students also get piece of mind from knowing their offspring are enjoying secure, quality accommodation so close to Manchester’s many attractions.
Mr Jackson says: “We went with a strong message to China. Our new luxury Riverside House hotel-class luxury student residence is within walking distance of the University of Salford, which each year attracts more than 3,000 international students from over 100 nations around the globe.
“We’re building on the continuing success of Britain’s higher education sector and the growing demand today’s students – and their parents – have for purpose-built, quality accommodation. They are investing in their children’s future and so are we.”
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/cultural-benefits-of-overseas-students-championed/2007300.article
