Influx of 5,000 international students could give Wolverhampton a Latin flavour forever

After researching the international education market the university has identified Latin America as the ideal place to recruit from.

The ambitious plans were revealed by vice-chancellor Professor Ebrahim Adia at a Wolverhampton Business Forum meeting about the future of the city centre.

He said: "International students will be transformational for Wolverhampton. In our five-year financial plan we have factored in 5,000 new international students.

"We need to work with our partners to provide something special which will attract global students."

He added: "We all know about Chinese students and what they bring but we have been looking across the world and have settled on Latin America.

"There is a massive demand for Western-based university education in Latin America, with North America now too expensive.

"Now, 5,000 students - that will be worth to the university over £100 million, but to the city, these international students will have a transformational effect on the city centre.

"They will not be like community students who come in for lectures and then leave.

"They will come to Wolverhampton, unlike students from this country they do not leave during the holidays, they stay over at Christmas, will spend their money in the city."

Professor Adia oversaw a similar transformation of the University of Lancashire in Preston before moving to Wolverhampton last year.

He said: "What happens when there is a big increase in international students, there is a tipping point when the city really starts to take off, and I want for Wolverhampton."

The increase in international students is part of the change of direction for the university which has seen arts and social sciences courses axed in favour of offering degrees more attractive to international students.

Professor Adia wants to open a brand new School of Medicine in the city and has applied to be recognised as a research and development centre which benefit local hospitals.

He said: "We are a multi-million business, we have 2,000 staff and 20,000 students who come into the city and spend their money.

"We are proud to be a driver of social mobility, and will continue to be so. We are proud to increase the skills of the people of the Black Country."

The business federation meeting saw major stakeholders, employers, developers and Wolverhampton Council agree city centre living will be the catalyst for economic and cultural success in the next two decades.

Wednesfield North Councillor Phil Bateman is ready to welcome Latin American students with open arms.

He said: "We will give these South Americans a great Wolverhampton welcome. And they will need restaurants, shops, and whatever young people of their age and culture want so a Latin Quarter could spring up incredibly quickly.

"If we have to put a few Ricky Martin nights in Wednesfield to make them feel at home then we shall do that."

In 2021-22 there were 679,970 international students studying in the UK, they are a familiar sight in university cities and towns across the country and have been credited with keeping some higher education institutions open.

Penn Councillor Paul Singh is also excited about the city's ranks being swelled by Brazilians and Argentinians.

He said: "Brazil are the gods of football, it is a way of life in Latin and South America so as a fan of Wolves, there must be one out of 5,000 who could be the next superstar.

"He would certainly run out for the Wolves."

He added: "But in all seriousness, this would be great for Wolverhampton and really make us an even better global city - if there is a big community of anyone the benefits are usually clear to see."