Danish Minister Advocates Reversal on International Student Policies Amid Labor Shortages

Danish Minister Advocates Reversal on International Student Policies Amid Labor Shortages

The minister of higher education in Denmark has urged the expansion of university spaces for international students, reversing a policy established two years ago that capped student numbers in English-language programs. 

The shift in approach is prompted by Denmark's facing substantial labor shortages, incurring significant economic costs, as reported by the Danish Chamber of Commerce. 

In 2021, an agreement among Denmark's Social Democrats and other parties aimed to reduce English-language courses at higher education institutions due to concerns about excessive spending on foreign students. However, the current education and science minister, a member of the Moderates party, now advocates for a policy reversal, emphasizing the intense competition for qualified young individuals and labor.

Christina Egelund, the minister, expressed gratitude for international interest in Denmark and stressed the urgent need for qualified individuals, asserting that the competition for such talent is intense. While recent reforms allow universities to offer 1,100 English-language places annually until 2029, Egelund believes these measures fall short, although she didn't specify the ideal number of additional spaces. Rasmus Stoklund, leader of the Social Democrats party, acknowledged the positive impact of international students working in Denmark but cautioned against using international education to bypass immigration policies. Egelund emphasized the importance of focusing on areas where labor is most urgently required.

Various labor associations have urged the government to revise its stance on international students. A report by the engineering association IDA highlighted that international graduates contribute over two million DKK (USD $282,312) to the Danish economy, even if they leave the country after studying. Additionally, research by the education think-tank DEA indicated a significant growth in the proportion of international graduates in Denmark working in STEM-related fields, where talent recruitment is generally challenging. There is a call for a national effort to attract and retain top-tier international students amid global competition. Tobias Høygaard Lindeberg, deputy director of DEA, suggested an ambition to encourage international students to participate in part-time vocational Master's programs for working professionals, but the feasibility of this proposal remains uncertain in the proposed reform.

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