No fewer than 15 universities in the United Kingdom have announced plans to sack some workers and even stop running some courses because of the sharp decline in enrolment by foreign students including Nigerians.
According to a report by University World News, the sharp decline in foreign student enrolment was particularly felt at the postgraduate level and the decision to downsize is targeted mainly at those running courses at that level.
The development is also connected to the decision by the UK government to reduce the inflow of international students, as some concessions given to them at that level have been whittled down.
Also, there are concerns that the high cost of living being experienced globally is also negatively affecting the enrolment of foreign students at the undergraduate level.
From the prestigious Russell Group Universities to mid-tier universities and Scottish institutions, the current situation is not sparing most universities.
Robert Gordon University (RGU) recently introduced a voluntary severance scheme in the face of staff redundancy due to its financial difficulties as a result of a notable decline in international student enrollments, a consequence of post-Brexit alterations in UK immigration policies.
RGU cited escalating cost pressures and a considerable reduction in public funding as contributing factors.
Credit: Vanguard
