Few thoughts about the impact of #covid on #highered in #uk [thread].
So far, the discussion about impact has been concentrating on potential shift in the start date of the academic year; income substitution to offset revenue lost from drop in international student mobility 1/

very little consideration has been given to the impact on existing international students, many of whom have been left stranded in the UK or have managed to return to their home countries after a very painful process following the unclear approach by the UK government 2/

Considering that "word of mouth" is a key factor for international student demand, one should have had prioritised resolving the impact on existing students before exploring the impact on future/prospective students. 3/

What is deeply concerning is the lack of consideration about the substantial damage that the UK government's approach to the #COVIDー19 pandemic has done on the reputation of the #UK as study destination. The sector should worry less about the duration of the lockdown. 4/

Several international students, and especially those from countries with experience in similar pandemics, have been traumatised by the unclear and conflicting messages from the #UK government about the country's response to #COVIDー19 . This went on for weeks and weeks. 5/

There needs to be some urgent damage control and a careful strategy to regain the trust of international students and their families of the UK as safe study destination. And, again, this does not relate to the total number of cases or deaths. These were inevitable. 6/

Instead, it has to do with the emerging perception, which emanates from the #UK government approach, that the economy (in its very narrow sense) is more important than human lives. This is the key problem that the #highered sector needs to prioritise to resolve. 7/

The perception of the #uk as a country where human lives, including those of international students, can be put at risk on the grounds of cost-benefit considerations, will cause severe damage to the long-term prospects of the #highered sector. This is now an urgent issue. 8/8

of course, all views in the above thread, my own (entirely).