The quest for global talent for changing economic needs: a study of student mobility and job prospects for returnees in China

ABSTRACT

Aspiring to become a world power in an increasingly globalised world, the Chinese government recognises the importance of restructuring its economic structure to sustain its economic structure to sustain future economic growth. The Chinese government has also tried to adopt appropriate measures to transform not only the economic structures but also the education systems to produce future workforce with adaptive skills catering for the changing economic and labour market needs. The major objectives of this article is to critically examine the major motivations of students choosing international learning programmes either on offer in the mainland or studying abroad, and their career developments after returning home.

KEYWORDS:

• Transnational higher education
• student motivation
• international learning
• transferrable skills
• returnees and labour market

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. In a time period within five years after graduation.

2. Note: The two Sino-foreign cooperation programmes in Hebei were dissolved by the MOE in 2014.

Source: http://www.crs.jsj.edu.cn/index.php/default/index/sort/1006, retrieved on 7 July, 2015.

3. Source: http://monitor.icef.com/2015/03/number-of-chinese-outbound-students-up-by-11-in-2014/

4. We excluded 95 respondents who are uncertain and 46 who are not planning to become outbound students.

5. 2.2% are currently not enrolled in educational institutions.

6. 1% is pursuing “other studies”.

7. Students who are planning to enrol in the German HE system often depend on their Gaokao scores because most German universities require students study for a certain time within the Chinese HE system.

8. The survey result was reported by a BBC, for details, see http://www.bbc.com/news/business-24537487, accessed on 20 July 2015.

9. Categories included “Politics”, “Education system”, “Culture” and “Economy”. On a scale of “no knowledge” (score: 1) to “very good knowledge” (score: 5) culture scored the highest mark (mean 3.37), followed by knowledge on the educational system (mean 3.34), economy (mean: 3.19) and political knowledge (mean 2.77).

10. Three possible answers. Other means of information consisted of “parents” (4%), “Chinese friends” (13%), foreign friends (23%), educational activities (14%), private classes (1%), books (22%), TV (11%) and other sources (3%).

11. Two per cent decide before they turn 10 years old. Ten per cent decide when they are 10–15 years old and 33% when they are 20–25 years old. Five per cent decide after they turn 25 years old.

12. STEM: Engineering, Math/Computer Science, Physical & Life Sciences, Health Professions, Agriculture.

13. Due to rounding the total equals 102%.

14. Due to rounding the total equals 102%.

15. Mean: 7.3 years; median: 6 years.