Research shows how international student mobility can reduce poverty in low- and middle-income countries

A new study examining the impact of international student mobility finds that foreign-educated graduates reduce extreme poverty in low- and middle-income countries. The paper, published in the International Journal of Educational Research, uses 20 years of data.

Research conducted by Maia Chanccelliani, Associate Professor of Comparative and International Education, and Postdoctoral Researcher Junhyun Kwak, from the School of Education at the University of Oxford, finds that international student mobility has led to significant poverty alleviation in low- and middle-income countries. was shown.

Professor Chanxelliani said, “Our research shows that while the short-term effect of international student mobility on poverty reduction is not significant, the long-term effect over 15 years is significant in reducing poverty among low-income groups.” “This shows that there is a positive association.” Returnees can use the skills and knowledge gained abroad to drive local innovation and contribute to social change, which can lead to systemic poverty reduction in the long term.

“International student mobility has tripled, from 2 million in 1997 to more than 6 million by 2021. The development of scholarships for international study reflects a growing recognition of the value of studying abroad.

“However, in recent years, increased insularity and nationalist sentiment in some countries has increased barriers to cross-border education and cooperation, creating mobility challenges. ‘Research like ours is more important than ever to demonstrate that understanding these effects can help keep educational exchange open and accessible in an increasingly inward-looking world.’ It may be useful for policies to preserve. ”

This study explores how the skills, knowledge, and connections gained abroad often lead to change after returnees have had time to apply them in their own contexts. New practices and innovations can be introduced in areas such as governance, education, and economic development.

Maia continued, “Our findings highlight the important role of international student mobility in long-term poverty reduction. We hope that they will be recognized for the important role they play. This could lead to greater support for scholarships and social contribution activities.” Enable students from low- and middle-income countries to study abroad. ”

Junhyun said, “In low- and middle-income countries, domestic education systems do not necessarily match the quality of high-income countries, especially in the production and dissemination of knowledge and skills. People will bring back new knowledge.” , skills and international connections to help fill critical gaps and accelerate poverty reduction efforts in their home countries.

“Expanding scholarship opportunities is essential to widening access for people in low- and middle-income countries. By increasing scholarships, we can provide more opportunities for low-income people in countries. ”

The study, conducted over the past 18 months, aimed to identify trends in the relationship between student outmigration and poverty reduction through cross-national analysis. To achieve this, all low-income and middle-income countries with available data were included.

“We hope that the results of this study will provide valuable policy insights for international higher education and sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries. Expanding study abroad opportunities is , are essential not only for individual success, but also for addressing broader societal challenges such as: By increasing access to international education and strengthening local education systems, we can make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of these countries. ”