Sectors at risk in internationalisation: where to invest, or dis-invest?

All specialised media (and general papers too: see https://bit.ly/3bH1JnH ) is urging governments for action to get HEIs out of the COVID-19 emergency.

Within the higher education industry, though, some sectors are at stake more than others.

A tentative list of sectors at risk in internationalisation may include:

1. Accommodation. HEIs build their dorms thinking to an international audience: students, and visiting professors. As student houses are often built (and run) in project financing, private counterparts will have their share of trouble, too.

2. International recruitment. This is made up of a plethora of interwoven services and activities, from agencies to fairs to conferences. Though most services are available online already, the point is: what is the product recruiters are selling today?

3. Consultancy. Consultants for the internationalisation of HEIs, which in 95% of cases are expert in international recruitment, are not exactly in need nowadays.

4. Summer and Winter Schools. With some 78% of 2021 Summer Schools already being cancelled, this niche does not look florid, either.

5. Commercial research. Companies will invest less in international research, and concentrate upon domestic activities.

6. Airlines and travel agencies. Fact is, some 5 million students will be flying considerably less than last academic year.

 

Photo by Fer Nando on Unsplash