The median age in OECD countries – which are the top draw for Indian college students – is above 40. Universities in these countries need a steady intake of students from across the world in order to keep themselves adequately funded and ensure maintenance of academic standards. China, the other source of students seeking foreign education, has begun to age. That leaves South Asia, Latin America and Africa to fill up Western college classrooms. Ageing Asian economies are also facing a glut in higher education. India is on the right course in asking top-tier universities to set up shop here.
Offshore campuses help destination countries secure supply of students who may be otherwise affected by economic and political disturbances, such as pandemic shutdowns, foreign exchange restrictions or diplomatic rows, like the ongoing one with Canada. Universities serve ageing economies as gatekeepers for selective addition to their shrinking labour pool and it is a competitive market as Canada must realise. White-collar emigration affects the host country less – it keeps remittances stable during an economic downturn – so long as domestic growth is robust. Globalisation is shifting jobs to where the workers are. Education needs to follow that course.
