Q&A with ETS’s Rohit Sharma: Advancing Education through Global Mobility

August 14, 2023

Picture a future with free movement of thought, labor and opportunity across the world. People and ideas could more easily move from one country to the next, creating a society that progresses humanity forward more than ever before. But how do we get there? Today’s aspiring global citizens face constant barriers when trying to reach the next step in their educational and professional journeys. To gain a better understanding of the possibilities of removing the friction that prevents true global mobility and what that means for our educational systems worldwide, ETS and experts spanning the economic, immigration, and academic spaces are vying for a spot at SXSW in March 2024 with a PanelPicker proposal.

Ahead of SXSW Community Voting, Rohit Sharma, Senior Vice President of Global Higher Education and Workskills at ETS, gave us a preview of the PanelPicker proposal, including a deep dive into his perspective on global mobility and its impact on education.

1. What does true global mobility look like to you?
   Global mobility, to me, is when the borders and barriers that separate ideas and opportunities are broken down across the globe. It’s when individuals and families are able to freely share knowledge and culture, and the world is collectively promoting accessibility and movement for all. Everyone should have the opportunity to work and learn in other countries.
2. What are the current barriers to global mobility?
   The barriers to global mobility are significant, but not unbeatable. It’s influenced by various factors and often, it can come down to how well governments are managing and facilitating policies, visas, work permits and other regulatory frameworks. Addressing these barriers requires strong collaboration between government leaders, international organizations and businesses. We need to create more inclusive and accessible pathways for global mobility while simultaneously protecting the rights and well-being of the individuals moving across borders.
3. If our society achieves true global mobility, how will it affect the future of education?
   At ETS, we believe assessments are the doors to opportunities that create global citizens in a borderless society. The future of education is also the future of labor. With true global mobility, there will be more movement of labor due to the nature of growing economies which will create more job opportunities throughout the world.

As we continue to grow toward a future with true global mobility, we are looking forward to sharing these ideas with you in more detail at SXSW in March 2024.