Amit Chakma: International Education Value Lies in Cross-Market Opportunities

Speaking at a conference on global higher education, Chakma said universities must prepare students for careers that span multiple regions, not just one country. He pointed to the growing demand for graduates who understand different cultural and economic contexts.

Chakma noted that cross-border academic partnerships allow institutions to share research and teaching methods, which benefits both students and faculty. He cited UWA's own collaborations with universities in Asia and North America as examples of how such ties create new pathways for learning and employment.

The professor also addressed the challenges facing international education, including visa restrictions and geopolitical tensions. He argued that these obstacles make it more important for universities to build resilient networks that can adapt to changing policy environments.

Chakma concluded by urging educators and policymakers to view international students not as temporary visitors but as long-term contributors to the global knowledge economy. Their mobility, he said, is a strength that should be supported through targeted scholarships and streamlined pathways to work visas.