12 signals shaping Asia Pacific international education ahead of APAIE 2026

1. Asian Tigers ramp up internationalisation amid Big Four woes
   Key regional hubs like South Korea and Hong Kong – alongside Singapore and Taiwan – are placing international students and intra-East Asian mobility at the centre of growth strategies. While traditional destinations face headwinds, these ‘Asian Tigers’ are boosting recruitment and regional collaboration.
2. Third Australian university to open in Sri Lanka amid rising demand
   Australia’s education footprint continues its South Asian expansion, with a third campus announced in Sri Lanka. This marks deeper regional engagement and reflects demand for Australian credentials close to home.
3. Monash to open 2032 Malaysia campus with backing from Australian PM Albanese
   Australia’s largest university is doubling down on its Malaysian presence, signalling long-term commitment to regional delivery with a new campus set to open in 2032, with eventual capacity for 22,500 students and 1,700 staff. 
4. How Japan and India will shape the next decade’s workforce
   Japan’s ageing population and India’s youthful talent pool are driving closer education and labour market ties between the two countries. New mobility pathways and skills-focused partnerships signal a shift toward long-term talent pipelines.
5. China greenlights 122 new TNE projects as it eyes enrolment boost
   China approved 122 new transnational education projects in a single round, signalling a significant push to scale joint programs and diversify international partnerships. The expansion reflects Beijing’s strategy to grow enrolments and strengthen its role in global education collaboration.
6. India could host 1.1 million international students by 2047 — but concerns persist
   Ambitious inbound targets from NITI Aayog show India’s desire to transform into a major host market. But structural and operational challenges remain real constraints.
7. The UK and Australia’s bid for Southeast Asia
   While not exclusively Asia Pacific, this story highlights how major Western destinations are pivoting to Southeast Asia engagement, through targeted recruitment drives, partnerships and policy outreach, highlighting the region’s growing strategic importance.
8. International students flock to Malaysia as demand surges
   Malaysia’s sustained appeal for regional and global students reflects rising confidence in its quality, affordability, and regional connectivity.
9. Vietnamese education strategy eyes rise in intl students
   In early 2025, Vietnam unveiled a national strategy to grow international student numbers, signalling a more coordinated effort to boost inbound mobility and strengthen its profile as an emerging study destination in Southeast Asia.
10. NZ debuts growth plan as it eyes 35k more international students
    New Zealand has outlined an ambitious growth strategy to expand its international student population by 35,000, anchoring it within broader talent attraction and economic plans.
11. Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s new kid on the block for TNE
    With Indonesia’s President signalling ambitions to open a wave of new campuses and a fresh UK-Indonesia bilateral strategy in place, Indonesia’s TNE landscape appears primed for expansion.
12. Australia-China education links strengthened by major HE mission
    A high-level Australian higher education delegation visited China to reinforce partnerships and research ties, signalling both countries’ intent to deepen cooperation even amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics.

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