fbpx
Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
9th Dec 2011

Open and distance learning in the BRIC countries

The International Council for Open and Distance Education hosted a special session at the recent Online Educa Berlin conference to explore important trends and challenges in open and distance learning in the BRIC countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China. The ICDE has also presented an excellent summary of the BRIC panel on their website, including detailed reports and presentation decks from the participating panelists. This is an excellent resource for recruiters, whether for face-to-face programming or open or distance programmes, with an interest in these major world markets. A few quick highlights:

  • In Brazil, the percentage of students in distance education has risen from 1.4% in 2002 to to 14.6% in 2010. Almost one in six students enrolled in undergraduate studies in Brazil enters into a distance learning course.
  • The number of distance learning students in Russian higher education programmes increased by more than 50% from 2000 to 2010.
  • India currently has 13 open universities plus one national open university: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). IGNOU alone serves more than 4 million students from India as well as 36 other countries.
  • In China, efforts to expand open and distance education programmes now include a movement toward increasing the range of learning resources that are available and open to the public via open and distance learning systems.

Source: International Council for Open and Distance Education, Online Educa Berlin

Most Recent

  • US warns of expanded travel ban that could affect key African markets Read More
  • Breaking: US resumes student visa processing Read More
  • Is Canada valued more as a “pathway to immigration” or as a destination for education? Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

Is Canada valued more as a “pathway to immigration” or as a destination for education? During a 12 June 2025 webinar presented by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) and IDP, IDP...
Read more
Japanese outbound numbers reached 90% of pre-pandemic levels in 2024 An annual survey of Japanese education agents finds that outbound student numbers from this key sending market are...
Read more
UK: Study visa applications up by nearly a third year to date The early data we are seeing so far this year makes a couple of things clear. First, there...
Read more
Real-time insights on shifting international student interest in the US ICEF and NAFSA co-hosted a featured webinar on 11 June, and the session showcased some important data reflecting...
Read more
Irish ELT sector sounds note of “cautious stability” for 2024 After a year of very strong growth in 2023, Ireland’s English Language Teaching (ELT) sector is reporting remarkably...
Read more
Plans afoot to stimulate UK–EU student mobility under new terms The UK government has opened negotiations with the European Union to restart a youth mobility scheme to and...
Read more
Economic impact of UK ELT estimated at nearly £2 billion A new study commissioned by English UK finds that the country’s ELT (English Language Teaching) sector generated £996...
Read more
UK sets out new immigration strategy, will reduce Graduate Route work term to 18 months A white paper released by the UK government on 12 May 2025 provides a blueprint for the country’s...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links