Significant changes have occurred in the global map of higher education in recent years. Large countries that traditionally host international students, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, have begun to tighten their admissions and persistence policies. … Immigration obstacles, visa restrictions, reductions in work permits, general increases in tuition fees, and housing issues are causing a significant decline in the number of foreign university students. In some cases, the reduction rate can be closer to 20% or 25%.
This withdrawal of academic authority has created an unprecedented situation. Thousands of young people who previously looked to these countries are now seeking more open, safe and affordable alternatives. And in this new global scenario, Seville could play a leading role. The city meets exceptional conditions for establishing itself as an international university. It has two public and two private universities, a very attractive cultural heritage environment, a cost of living much lower than in large European cities, and housing facilities (through housing and student centres) that are incomparably higher than in cities like London or Amsterdam. In cities like London and Amsterdam, the issue is not just one of price, but of availability.
However, this opportunity does not seem to be recognized with the ambition it deserves, especially in public universities. When I reviewed the election programs of the two candidates who received the most votes for the position of rector of the University of Seville, I was surprised that none of their programs included a clear strategy to attract foreign students. In one of them, we talked about Erasmus mobility, international cooperation and academic agreements, all of which were focused on promoting local student mobility, welcoming students from abroad to study throughout the undergraduate and postgraduate cycles, and not positioning the University of Seville as a reference destination for international talent. This oversight is all the more surprising given that public universities have recorded significant student enrollment declines over the past decade, due to declining birth rates and other reasons.
Attracting foreign students will not only compensate for this decline, but also improve the ecosystem of Seville’s universities, making them more diverse and multicultural, and thus making them even more attractive. The global situation demands decisive action from us. At a time when large academic centers are closing, universities that know how to open their doors wisely can double their prestige, diversity, and resources. When London cut off the influx of talented international students due to Brexit, Amsterdam took advantage of the opportunity and a significant portion of that flow ended up flowing to universities, which are now also starting to turn away students due to housing issues. Seville has all the conditions to make that happen. Why not take advantage of this opportunity? It is enough to promote three priority areas.
The first is the simplest. Eliminate access barriers associated with selectivity, especially in prestigious international programs such as the International Baccalaureate. Students who take this program end up going to the best universities in the world, but not Seville. This is because your score will be converted to 10 points instead of 14 points, and you will actually be forced to take two special Spanish language exams. It’s big nonsense.
The second is to expand academic offerings in English. You cannot compete in the global education market by simply offering programs in Spanish. Seville requires bilingual degrees and degrees or master’s degrees taught entirely in English to attract students from Europe, America and Asia. This includes not only adapting the syllabus, but also training teachers and creating a truly international environment on campus.
And the third is to improve our position in the international rankings. Visibility is the deciding factor today. International students consult major rankings such as QS, Times Higher Education and Shanghai before deciding on a destination. To improve these indicators, we need to strengthen impact research, promote publication in English, encourage international scientific cooperation, and project a modern institutional image.
These three lines of action – visibility, English language delivery and accessibility – do not require large investments, but rather political will and a vision for the future. However, the gaze of Seville’s public universities is directed inward, and when it should look upwards if it were to look outward, it seems to be directed sideways, towards private universities. Seville, Andalusia and Spain have a significantly lower proportion of international students than the European average, which is unfortunate since in a global world more students are studying abroad to make their curriculum more attractive and increase their employability.
Our city has history, heritage, quality of life and a privileged geographical location. The only thing missing is strategy. At a time when academic powerhouses are building walls, Seville has the opportunity to open its doors and become a destination for international university talent.
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