Internationalization of higher education is an issue for all students. Many choose or consider studying all or part of an education abroad, but for some, the step feels too difficult. In other countries, many are considering traveling to Sweden to study, but there are significant obstacles to being able to take the step. But above all: all higher education has a more or less international character. However, the value it has for the student varies from education to education. The Swedish National Union of Students believes that the internationalization of higher education can and should be developed.
Last year, the government decided to investigate how to strengthen the internationalization of higher education. The investigation recently presented the first of two reports. SFS will review the most important proposals in a series of blog posts. This is the first part.
The inquiry's call: That the Swedish Migration Board speed up processing times for admitted students who apply for a residence permit. The investigation urges the Swedish Migration Board to also cooperate with universities and colleges on issues regarding residence permits for incoming students.
The proposal is urgent. We often hear about students who are forced to wait far too long or are denied residence permit of unclear grounds. Both the University Chancellor's Office and the Swedish Association of Universities and Colleges (SUHF) have raised this as a critical obstacle to recruiting more international students. The issue has also been discussed in the Riksdag. In addition, the European Students' Union is working at European level to improve the process around residence permits as a way to promote mobility.
The hassle with residence permits leads to students refuse courses in Sweden. Only one in three foreign applicants starts the education they have been accepted to. The hassle of residence permits is a major obstacle to recruiting foreign students. Actually, the only obstacle that is bigger is the tuition fees.
The main responsibility lies with the Swedish Migration Board. It is the Swedish Migration Board that has long processing times. It is the Swedish Migration Board that is responsible for ensuring that the review is carried out properly.
If the Swedish Migration Board took help from the universities, the situation could be easier. The universities have the conditions to assess whether a prospective student intends to study. If a student is granted an extended residence permit, the universities can see whether a student is actually studying and passing the exams. The universities know whether their doctoral students are employed and doing the work expected of them. But the universities can only simplify the residence permit process if the Swedish Migration Board cooperates. SUHF has already shown that they want to contribute to such cooperation, so the conditions are there.
Will Sweden be able to attract more foreign students? The ball is in Mikael Ribbenvik's court.
The next post is about foreign establishment, internationalization at home, official language and proposals for student organizations.