IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL MIGRATION IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBALIZATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION (CASE OF GEORGIA)

Abstract

Given paper overviews trends and economic impact of international educational migration in Georgia. Economic outlook and recent economic indicators of Georgia demonstrate the importance of socioeconomic factors in shaping human capital. They emphasize the need for the Georgian government to consider them when designing policies, particularly, educational policy. Unemployment levels are not high in Georgia, however, the majority of employed people are self-employed and their incomes are quite small. This factor is the main cause of labor and educational migration. In recent years, the share of young people in labor and educational migration has been significantly increased in Georgia. The increase in educational mobility has been facilitated by the involvement of Georgian higher education institutions in the Bologna process. Georgia joined the Bologna process in 2005. The main directions of growing international educational migration from Georgia are the higher education institutions of Europe and USA. The number of incoming educational migrants to Georgia is also increasing. Since 2013, the most students admitted to higher education institutions have enrolled into social sciences, business and law programs. Since 2014 the proportion of students admitted into science programs has been increasing and since 2016 there has been an increase in admissions to health and welfare. The proportion of students admitted into humanities and arts in the total number of admitted students has been declining. The number of foreign students studying in Georgia in the 2017-2018 academic year is 10,152. The majority of foreign students participate in bachelor’s (31%) and master’s programs including residencies (68%). In 2017-2018 academic year, 65% of foreign students studying bachelor’s programs are students of social sciences, business and law, while 97% of foreign students studying master’s programs are pursuing health and welfare programs [Higher and Vocational Education, 2013-2017., Issues #102, 03.05.2018]. The high rate of youth migration is due to the high level of competition on the labor market, with the desire to find high quality education and higher paid jobs. Assessment of the potential of student migrants in socio-economic development has particular importance for the post-Soviet countries. The integration of qualified migrants into the society triggers the introduction of new knowledge and technologies, creates sustainable and inclusive economic growth conditions in the country. Educational-professional mobility is quite prevalent in Georgia, since the latter is considered to be one of the priority directions for acquiring the experience of self-actualization and self-realization, independent living, learning and working experience for young people in an unfamiliar environment. Labor migration is a serious problem for Georgia. It is mainly aimed at improving socio-economic conditions. Youth are actively involved in migration processes. This category is the most mobile social group. International migration for youth is an opportunity to improve life for themselves and their families, achieve educational goals and strengthen professional skills. They also have motivation to accept the challenges of socio-economic processes abroad and to implement best practice after their return to the country.