The pandemic forced a reckoning on many industries, including International Education. With flights grounded, borders closed, and in-person classes canceled, the International Education sector faced a crisis that is existential as much as it is practical and financial.
Higher Education Institutions responded swiftly by extending deadlines, delaying start dates, and granting deferrals, to name a few. But the real challenge was the pivot to online instruction and remote operations.
Even with the steady vaccine roll-outs, the reopening of campuses, and the trajectory to full recovery, COVID-19 has left a lingering and even permanent impact on international education.
The tough year that was ushered in improvements, accelerated advancements, and sparked unprecedented creativity. From new and improved technologies and virtual labs to responsive degrees and programs, institutions will be reaping the benefits of the innovation necessitated by the pandemic for years to come. Below are just a few examples.
The Rise of Courses Centered on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
The pandemic resulted in the doubling-down on the application of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Institutions responded with new programs designed to further its development and, eventually, utilization.
Artificial Intelligence and its subset of Machine Learning are expected to play a major strategic role in industries as diverse as fintech, healthcare, banking and finance, and the public sector.
Institutions Have Fully Embraced the Hybrid Model of Teaching
The adoption of a hybrid model of teaching across the board for higher education institutions means students get better access to the institutions’ best resources at the lowest cost. It also helps in getting rid of the stigma of online learning being low in quality and rigor.
Industry-wide, this opens up opportunities for innovative startups and other edtech players in the international education services sector.
Courses, Degrees, and Diploma Programs with Permissive Multi-Entry and Multi-Exit Options
The hybrid model also comes with flexibility and students are offered more legroom to complete their studies. Higher education institutions are restructuring their degrees and professional courses to include multi-exit and multi-entry options.
These changes help in retaining international students and attracting future international students who may have otherwise had to give up their study abroad dreams.
New Degrees Brought About by Evolving Industries
Conventional degrees are being replaced or upgraded in response to the rapidly changing technology and the evolving needs of society. Curriculum and delivery design take time and academic planners usually scramble to catch up to fill in real-world skills and knowledge gaps.
With the pandemic, not only have institutions taken stock of their degree offerings and expedited changes, but they have made their degrees available online at scale.
Companies and Organizations are Partnering with Educational institutions to Offer Online Courses
Businesses are taking full advantage of the rise of remote learning to partner with educational institutions to offer their employees training opportunities. Upskilling employees comes with a slew of benefits. It increases retention rates, boosts morale, and improves productivity and performance.
Because instruction is done online, physical proximity isn’t a consideration. Adult learners will get a chance to take classes in prestigious institutions abroad. Better and more democratized access to quality education is one of the driving forces of international education.
The Rise of Great Quality Virtual Labs
Virtual labs will not replace physical labs anytime soon but for many international students, it is the next best thing. It allowed them to complete laboratory sessions in a simulated 3D virtual environment in real-time from wherever they are in the world. It has been one of the most useful technological innovations and a complete game-changer during a school year marred by physical distance.
The COVID pandemic created the most drastic disruption to international education in recent history, but the examples mentioned above do suggest that there is a silver lining for the industry. It’s encouraging to see how the desire to learn and to educate persists not despite but because of the challenges.
Read more:
- Virtual Components of Studying Overseas Go Beyond the Pandemic
- International Students Must Hedge Their Choice of Study Destination Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic, Survey Finds
- International Students: Australia’s Loss, UK’s Gain
