Crackdown to eye schools that mismanage foreign students

The government will require universities to better manage foreign students and prevent non-performing schools from attracting foreign students to stay afloat.

The Education, Science and Technology Ministry said Wednesday that it will assess 346 universities nationwide on the attraction and management of foreign students. Those rated in the bottom 15 percent of the study will face sanctions.

The ministry will also announce the names of those included in the bottom 5 percent and team up with the Justice Ministry to limit visa issuance for foreign students who want to study in such poorly performing universities. The scope of visa limitations will be expanded to those in the bottom 10 percent next year.

Other universities that fail to meet standards must also take corrective measures or consult experts under government regulations.

A written assessment will be conducted every year to evaluate eight criteria including the number and proportion of foreign full-time teachers; the number and proportion of students dispatched abroad; the dropout rate of foreign students; tuition reduction rates for foreign students; and diversity of the foreign student body.

By contrast, universities that manage foreign students well will obtain government certificates. They will also gain preferential treatment in applying for state-sponsored programs, such as scholarships for foreign students invited by the government.

Such universities will also get government support when they hold expositions to attract foreign students.

About 196 universities nationwide will be eligible for government certificates. The education ministry excluded 17 universities that have recently had student loan limits imposed and those that have fewer than 20 foreign students (fewer than 10 for junior colleges).

Schools seeking the certificates should submit applications to the National Institute for International Education from Thursday through Oct. 4.

The institute’s committee on the attraction and management of foreign students will assess documents to sort out candidates. It will then carry out on-site evaluations on foreign student selection and management of their academic affairs to make the final list of certificate recipients.

The names of universities to get certificates will be announced in mid-December. About 10 universities included in the top 5 percent will be awarded certificates this year and more schools next year.

Choi Young-bok, chairman of the institute`s committee, said, “The attraction of foreign students in a haphazard fashion has resulted in foreign students who earn credits without attending classes,” adding, “Through the certificate system, we will set the standard for attracting and managing foreign students."

sorimoa@donga.com