Rethinking Global Student Mobility: Can Asia Truly Become a ‘Sanctuary’?

By Rob McLay and Liang Cheng

Yojana Sharma’s timely article in University World News (9 July 2025) raises a compelling question: can Asia become a “sanctuary” for global student talent amidst increasing geopolitical tensions and restrictive visa regimes in the West?

From Singapore’s ministerial aspirations to South Korea’s nimble admissions pivots and Japan’s multimillion-dollar research incentives, the idea is not just aspirational—it’s strategic. Yet, while Asia is indeed positioning itself as an alternative hub for displaced or disillusioned international students and researchers, the path to becoming a true sanctuary is neither straightforward nor assured.

A Welcoming Message or Mixed Signals?

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan painted a picture of openness, inclusion, and scientific freedom in his speech celebrating NUS’s 120th anniversary. But as Sharma rightly notes, the closure of Yale-NUS in 2021 and recent policy shifts suggest a more complex posture. Ja Ian Chong’s observation—that a “citadel with open gates” might still limit freedom of inquiry—captures the core tension: openness to talent must be accompanied by openness to ideas.

Likewise, Japan’s unprecedented US$700 million research initiative is an unmistakable signal of ambition. South Korea’s Yonsei University has shown leadership with its emergency transfer protocol for international students. Yet in all three cases, there’s a risk of substituting mobility management for deeper commitments to academic freedom, transparency, and long-term integration strategies.

The West’s Loss, Asia’s Gain?

The shifting winds in the U.S.—with student visa policy volatility, political polarization, and concerns about discrimination—have created space for new education hubs. As of mid-2025, some Asian universities are leveraging this opening. Hong Kong’s swift “open invitation” to Harvard-bound students exemplifies Asia’s capacity for opportunistic innovation. According to The PIE News (2025), inquiries from displaced students to Hong Kong universities increased by over 40% year-on-year.

But can Asia offer more than a stopgap solution?

Experts like Rahul Choudaha (2023) emphasize that student decision-making is not driven by geopolitics alone. It is also shaped by post-study work opportunities, institutional prestige, affordability, and belonging. Countries like Australia and Canada continue to rank highly on these factors, while many Asian systems still struggle with housing, employment pathways, and cross-cultural support.

Moving Beyond the ‘Sanctuary’ Metaphor

We believe it’s time to move beyond the passive metaphor of a sanctuary. Asia’s top institutions are not just safe havens—they are emerging leaders in shaping the next wave of global knowledge. That potential will depend not only on attracting displaced talent but on investing in long-term academic ecosystems, interdisciplinary innovation, and human-centered internationalization strategies.

Indeed, new models are already forming. The University of Tokyo is building AI-powered mentorship programs for international students. Seoul National University is partnering with U.S. and European institutions to co-host displaced researchers. Singapore’s ASTAR labs are creating flexible research visas tied to priority sectors.

To sustain this momentum, countries must also address social trust. As QS International Student Survey (2024) found, students cite “a sense of belonging” and “cultural acceptance” as decisive factors—sometimes more so than tuition costs or rankings.

A Call for Evidence-Based Policy and Collaboration

As Asia repositions itself, what’s needed is not just speed but deliberation. Strategic coordination among ministries of education, science, and immigration is essential. So is transparency. While Sharma’s article is rooted in real-time developments, there is still limited comparative research tracking the effectiveness of these policies across Asia.

We recommend a multi-country research initiative—possibly supported by multilateral bodies like UNESCO or the Asian Development Bank—to track Asia’s “education diplomacy” moves and their impact on global academic flows. Institutions can also play a key role by engaging displaced students and scholars as co-designers of policy and programming, not just beneficiaries.

In this global moment, sanctuary must mean more than shelter—it must mean opportunity, equity, and voice.

References

Sharma, Y. (2025, July 9). Can Asia become a ‘sanctuary’ for global student talent? University World News. https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20250708152015952
Choudaha, R. (2023). Navigating Disruption: A Framework for Strategic International Enrollment Management. World Education Services.
The PIE News. (2025, June). Visa uncertainty shifts student flows towards Asia. https://thepienews.com/news/visa-uncertainty-shifts-student-flows
QS International Student Survey. (2024). What Matters to International Students: Belonging, Career and Community. QS Quacquarelli Symonds.
UNESCO. (2023). Transforming Education: Global Status Report. https://unesdoc.unesco.org
Altbach, P.G., & de Wit, H. (2023). A Changing Global Landscape for International Higher Education. International Higher Education, Issue 116.

A Welcoming Message or Mixed Signals?

The West’s Loss, Asia’s Gain?

Moving Beyond the ‘Sanctuary’ Metaphor

A Call for Evidence-Based Policy and Collaboration

References

Further Reading