How Protectionism Threatens Global Knowledge Exchange and Higher Education

Source: The article How Protectionism Threatens Global Knowledge Exchange and Higher Education is based on article “Ideas need to travel: Without international students, American universities lose out” in The Indian Express on 13^th December 2024.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS Paper 2-International relations- Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.

Context: This article addresses the interconnectedness of global education systems, the implications of restrictive visa policies in the United States, and the challenges faced by the Indian higher education sector. It focuses on the evolving dynamics of international education, particularly under the Trump administration’s protectionist policies, and how they impact not only Indian students but also the global standing of American universities.

What is the immediate concern regarding Indian students and US visas?

1. The US is restricting visa access for Indian students.
2. This has created anxiety, particularly with Trump’s protectionist policies targeting immigration, naturalization, and student visas.
3. Trump’s administration is seen as protectionist and unwelcoming to foreigners. His focus on restricting immigration and expelling undocumented residents raises concerns about the future of international student intake in the US.

How does restricting foreign students affect American universities?

1. American universities have been significantly enriched by international students, especially those in STEM fields.
2. Limiting this access could:
   • Reduce the diversity and intellectual rigor of these institutions.
   • Impact the US’s status in the knowledge economy, as producing knowledge gives a competitive edge.

Why do Indian students prefer foreign universities over Indian ones?

1. Indian universities fail to match the quality of education offered abroad.
2. Factors include:
   • A chaotic higher education system, worsened by NEP (National Education Policy).
   • Students’ belief in better opportunities and outcomes from foreign degrees, often linked to the NRI lifestyle.
   • The projected expenditure for Indians studying overseas is expected to reach $70 billion by 2025.

What are the risks for both the US and India with current trends?

1. For the US:
   • Reduced quality in universities over time.
   • Loss of brilliant international faculty and students.
2. For India:
   • Retaining top talent but lacking the infrastructure to support their excellence.
   • Decline in the global value of India-educated individuals due to NEP’s dilution of educational standards.

What is the broader impact of protectionist policies on global education?

1. Protectionist policies, like restricting student visas, signify a step back from the equitable international ecosystem envisioned in the 21st century.
2. These policies could create a zero-sum game in knowledge expansion, stifling innovation and progress for all.

How can both nations adapt to ensure mutual benefit?

1. The US must recognize the long-term benefits of international students in maintaining its universities’ global edge.
2. India must invest in higher education reforms to retain and develop talent locally, creating a self-sufficient ecosystem of excellence.