Pamela Baxter on English Proficiency, Access, and Integrity in International Education

When Pamela Baxter first came to Australia, it was as a wide-eyed traveller with a backpack and a dream. Decades later, she’s back, this time as Chief Product Officer at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, with a front-row seat to some of the biggest shifts happening in global education.In this episode of Global Horizons, Pamela joins host Rob Malicki in Canberra to talk about the changing face of international higher education, from her unlikely career path (including a stint in Westminster politics!) to her long tenure at Cambridge, where she’s seen firsthand how language, access, and integrity intersect in universities around the world.The conversation winds from light-hearted stories of gap years and cycling through Cambridge to deeply reflective questions about responsibility, equity, and the standards we uphold in global education.🔹 Highlights include:How Pamela went from political researcher to international education leader.What makes Cambridge one of the world’s most international cities.Why English proficiency isn’t just an entry requirement, it’s a key to student wellbeing and success.The global dilemma: universities balancing financial pressures with educational integrity.The real-world consequences of under-prepared students—from isolation to poor post-study outcomes.Pamela’s advice for universities: “Be honest with students. Set them up for success, not struggle.”You can find the report from Jobs and Skills Australia, mentioned in this episode, here. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Angelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. For guest suggestions and feedback, email [email protected]