Internet Learning Volume 3, Number 2, Fall 2014 | Page 35

Internet Learning
• Use Online to Expand Your Reach
Abroad – According to data retrieved
from the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization
Institute for Statistics (UIS) database,
in 2012, there were over 174 million
students outside the U.S. enrolled in
tertiary education (which Americans
commonly refer to as postsecondary education),
compared to nearly 21 million
enrolled in the United States. While the
number of global enrollments appear
substantial, in reality there is plenty of
room for growth in higher education
attainment internationally as the penetration
rate of college-aged students (up
to age 25) enrolled in tertiary education
is only 32% globally, compared to the
U.S. rate of 94% (UIS, 2014). Also, as in
the U.S., adult students are progressively
pursuing advanced education, particularly
as more companies abroad seek
better-qualified employees to address
their workforce skills gaps and workers
update their education to be competitive
and increase their income.
According to the 2013 Institute of
International Education (IIE) Open Doors
report, in the 2012/13 academic year,
819,644 international students were enrolled
in the U.S., an increase of 7.2% over
the previous year and the seventh year of
consecutive growth. Despite this growth,
international students represent only 3.9%
of the total number of students in American
undergraduate and graduate programs.
Moreover, disparity abounds as only 5% of
U.S. institutions enrolled 69% of the international
students that were in the U.S. in
2012/2013 and three states – California,
Texas, and New York hosted 32% of the international
students (IIE, 2013).
Only a small number of those international
students are studying primarily
online as most of these students want the
on-campus experience and the amount of
online learning by international students
interested in studying at U.S. institutions
is often restricted by foreign governments,
especially if the government is sponsoring
the student through scholarship programs.
However, this does not mean there are not
online opportunities for schools to consider.
In particular, institutions should explore:
• Using MOOCs to reach foreign students
and serve as a way to gauge
their qualifications for admittance
to the institution. In addition, as the
MOOC providers continue to build
their network globally with universities,
corporations, and governments,
MOOC-affiliated schools may gain
access to potential partner institutions
interested in online education.
• Creating partnerships with institutions
abroad that are interested
in joint and dual degree programs
where portions are delivered online.
• Getting online courses/programs approved
by the local Ministries of Education.
In February 2014, the United
Arab Emirates published a list of
105 colleges and universities around
the world, including 34 in the U.S.
that it recommends to UAE students
for online education. (Wam, 2014)
• Using online education as part of
global programs. For example, Duke
University has an online element to
its long-running Global Executive
MBA.
• Creating partnerships with local industry.
• For example, Apollo Global, which
oversees several international colleges
and universities, and HT Me-
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