In general, the main trends in the development of the modern international market for educational services at this time include:
- the recognition by the global community that the higher education sector (particularly its international component) is a profitable business that makes a significant contribution to the country’s economic development;
- changes in global trends in export and import policies in the field of education; growth in the size of educational services markets;
- The mobility of international students has become an economic sector capable of generating significant national income;
- the increase in student mobility and the steady growth in the number of international students in developed countries;
- the expansion of education exports as one of the priority areas of activity for a number of developed countries; increased competition among countries to attract international students; the emergence of new “players” in the international education market;
- a significant increase in the efforts of higher education institutions to diversify their funding sources (especially in the context of the global financial crisis);
- regionalization of educational services markets;
- the creation of educational clusters and networks;
- developing new strategies for exporting educational services;
- the transition from open enrollment to a competitive admissions process;
- developing strategies to attract talented students;
- Stepping up marketing campaigns to promote its own unique brand as a means of increasing exports of higher education services.
Research Findings and Prospects for Further Research.
An analysis of trends in the international market for educational services reveals that countries leading the way in international education have developed and are implementing national strategies in this area. Governments are introducing and funding programs to develop the export of educational services, which have clear priorities and specific measures to achieve them, as well as provisions for risks and alternative “targets” in the event of changes in the market situation. Two major macrotrends underlie the changes taking place in the global market for international students: growing demand and intensifying competition.
With the advancement of globalization, exchanges between countries in the fields of education and science are increasing; this contributes to the expansion and strengthening of international cooperation in these areas, the establishment of international quality standards, and the enhancement of innovation and the competitiveness of national education systems. In recent decades, academic mobility has been recognized as one of the most effective tools for improving the quality of human capital.
The creation of a unified global educational space entails increased student mobility and greater collaboration among faculty and researchers at universities in different countries, which helps citizens succeed in their chosen professions, improves employment opportunities for university graduates, and raising the status of these countries in the field of education. In countries that are leaders in the international market for educational services, the organization of international academic mobility is part of state policy, within the framework of which national programs to support mobility, regulatory and legal frameworks, and an effective funding system are developed, and the necessary infrastructure is created. In most countries, a special analysis of student migration flows is conducted; systems are developed to manage these flows and provide for their material and financial support; and special methods, measures, and actions are implemented to train professionals to work in the field of transnational education.