Asian universities expand global reach, diversity as international demand grows

Korea University International Affairs Vice President professor Song Sang-kee, second from right, speaks during a discussion session for the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025 at Korea University in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Universities across Asia are stepping up efforts to attract and retain international students, recognizing that a globally diverse campus is essential amid the region’s rapid demographic shift toward multiculturalism and its growing role in global engagement.

This institutional pivot was a central theme at the recent QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025, where academic leaders detailed how their institutions are aggressively adapting to the evolving global landscape. Strategies range from adopting inclusive campus policies and launching robust new scholarship programs to fundamentally enhancing student support systems tailored for a diverse foreign demographic.

Korea University International Affairs Vice President professor Song Sang-kee emphasized the nation’s ongoing transition into a multicultural society.

“If you walk around campuses here in Korea today, you’ll see more international students than ever before,” he said.

“Even in rural areas, there are growing numbers of multicultural families, especially from Vietnam and China.”

To address these changes, Song noted that his institution has introduced special scholarships for students from multicultural backgrounds and international families.

“During my term, the number of international students has doubled,” he added. “This year alone, we’ve added 1,000.”

Hong Kong Polytechnic University Global Partnerships Associate Vice President professor Geoffrey Qiping Shen shared how his university has long benefited from its bilingual education environment.

“Compared to other parts of Asia, we face fewer challenges with English-language instruction due to our history,” he said. As Hong Kong’s universities have traditionally relied heavily on students from mainland China, however, diversification has become a growing focus.

“We now host students from around 80 countries and regions,” Shen said. “Internationalization is part of our DNA. It enriches our campus culture and nurtures globally-minded graduates.”

To support this expanding international community, Hong Kong universities are investing in dedicated student services.

“We have a team that looks after international students from day one,” Shen said.

He recalled offering free international calls to students from Kazakhstan during a national crisis — a gesture that underscored the university’s commitment to student welfare.

Despite these efforts, scholars acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly housing shortages.

“We’re located in the city center, on just 0.1 square kilometers of land,” Shen noted.

“Accommodation remains a serious issue, but we are working hard to address it.”

Song added that as Asia’s universities are now not only responding to global competition but also redefining what it means to create inclusive, multicultural campuses — ensuring that the next generation of students is equipped to thrive in a connected world.