Russia’s invasion of Ukraine attracted condemnation from most Western liberal democracies, including the main international student destination countries – US, UK, Canada and Australia. Those countries have backed up their position with sanctions against Russia and military support for Ukraine.
Many universities in those countries also strongly opposed Russia’s actions, issuing public statements condemning Russia and expressing support for Ukraine and its people. Many of those universities have also severed or greatly reduced research and financial ties with Russian educational institutions.
Not all countries have been openly critical of Russia. Of note are the two biggest international student source countries – India and China. India has neither condoned nor condemned Russia’s actions, a position described as ‘strategic ambivalence’. It has abstained in the UN General Assembly resolutions condemning Russia, and refused to call out Russia as the instigator of the war. China’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war is officially neutral, emphasising peace talks and respect for sovereignty.
Recruiting for Russia
There are approximately 25,000-30,000 Indian students, and about 48,000 Chinese students studying at Russian universities. A number of those students will have sought the assistance of an education agent. Given that both India and China have taken a business-as-usual approach to Russia it is not surprising that education agents in those countries continue to work on behalf of Russian universities.
Some of those education agents also have relationships with universities in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, either directly or indirectly through an aggregator. On their websites and social media channels many of those agents promote Russian universities alongside universities in the main destination markets. As a result, universities in the US, UK, Canada and Australia that have strongly and publicly condemned Russia, and in some cases severed all ties with Russian institutions, have their institution’s name and logo displayed next to those of Russian universities.
Is that OK?…
…that’s the question for universities in the Anglophone destination markets whose name and logo are being used in this way. There is no criticism of the agents concerned here. They are doing business consistent with the laws and policies of their home countries. However, for institutions in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, there may be a question of how those agent marketing outcomes sit with their position and policies on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Working with education education agents?
AgentBee’s education agent due diligence solution supports educational institutions to implement best practice education agent due diligence processes.
Educational institutions can use it to:
- protect students – conduct initial and ongoing due diligence checks on education agents.
- protect your brand – detect cases of unauthorised agents using your institution’s name, logo or other IP without permission.
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