The global competition for international students: Governmental policies and institutional practices in Singapore

As the number of students seeking higher education outside their home country continues to rise and the competition to attract these students becomes more expansive and more intense, governments and institutions strategize to draw international students to their countries and campuses. Motivations range from revenue generation to capacity building. Mechanisms include public relations and regulatory measures and individual incentives. This dissertation examines the governmental policies and institutional practices developed and implemented to increase the number of degree-seeking international students in Singapore. Drawing students from throughout the region and across the globe is a vital part of Singapore's strategy and success. Singapore has prioritized creating and then expanding its position as an economic and educational hub. Based on an in-depth case study of the country and one of its top universities, the author describes specific policies created in Singapore to increase the number of degree-seeking international students in the city-state; determines whether and how the policies promulgated by the government influence priorities and practices at one of Singapore's top universities; and demonstrates the impact of these policies, practices, and priorities. Multiple data sources and ongoing analysis were employed to examine the development of governmental policies and the implementation of institutional practices, particularly within the unique context of Singapore. Findings include discussion of how policies and practices to increase the number of international students are linked to larger economic goals alongside a pragmatic and proactive vision. The nature of collaboration between government and institution on integrated efforts is described as is the extent to which tracking progress and evaluating outcomes provides guidance for the evolution of governmental policies and institutional practices. This examination of the intersection of a country's policies with an institution's practices seeks to illustrate what as well as understand how and why Singapore seeks to draw more students from throughout the region and across the globe to the little red dot.