We’re not paying for it - What does it mean?

In the podcast #216, Steve, Eric & Mark - Crabbing in Vancouver, Steve said “you have to admit Mark that one of the bright spots is that because Eric is a professor in England we’re not paying for it.” What does it mean “We are not paying for it.”?

Universities are paid for mostly by the tax-payers. Since Eric is a professor in England, it is not the Canadian tax-payer ( i.e. Mark and Steve) who is paying his salary.

Thank you very much!