AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
‘YOU ARE WELCOME HERE’- AUSTRALIAN MP TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Australian MP Julian Hill has criticised the Scott Morrison-led government for its stance on international students not being allowed to return to the country amid the pandemic. His favourable statements are drawing support from the international students struggling to get back to Australia.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INCLUDED IN VACCINATION PROGRAMME IN AUSTRALIA
International students in Australia will be eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccine as the rollout begins in the country in February. It is good news for approximately 520,000 international student visa holders who chose to stay back in Australia since the beginning of the pandemic. Many of these students are not eligible to access other government health and financial support programmes.
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT MEETS AS REVENUE DROPS $8.8BN
The heads of peak bodies in Australia representing the international education sector will hold a meeting with federal government ministers this week, as concerns rise over a third academic year starting without international students. It is expected that international students are unlikely to be allowed back in large numbers till at least early 2022.
NEW ZEALAND HOMESTAY BRACING FOR SLOW RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Even as New Zealand has been successful in the battle against Covid, the international education sector in the country has been hit hard. Homestay providers, in particular, are bearing the brunt of the crisis. It is a challenging time for them as the number of students staying with host families has declined to a significant extent.
INDIA
‘PARIKSHA PE CHARCHA’ BY PM MODI WILL INCLUDE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS THIS YEAR
In a recent announcement, the Indian government has stated that it would start ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’, the interaction of PM Modi with students. This time, it will be open to international students as well. The fourth edition will be conducted online in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
VISVA-BHARATI UNIVERSITY AIMED TO FREE AND MODERNISE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY: MODI
Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore created an education system at Visva-Bharati University with the aim to free and modernise the education system in the country from the shackles of subordination, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated while speaking at the convocation ceremony of the university via video conferencing.
INDIA SIGNS MOU FOR RECONSTRUCTING SIX SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NEPAL
India and Nepal signed a memorandum of understanding for reconstructing six secondary schools in Nepal. In a statement by the Indian embassy, it was announced that the cost of construction for the project will amount to 518 million Nepali Rupees.
GOVERNMENT LOOKS FORWARD TO SAVING RS 2 LAKH CRORES SPENT BY INDIAN STUDENTS OVERSEAS: RAMESH POKHRIYAL
Union minister of education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank stated that the government aims to save Rs 2 lakh crores spent by Indian students in foreign universities every year by ensuring quality education and comparable facilities in the country. Almost 8 lakh students opt for overseas educational destinations annually.
THE SECOND BATCH OF DIGIPIVOT, A GOOGLE SPONSORED PROGRAM FOR UP-SKILLING FEMALES, ANNOUNCED
After a successful inaugural run of its programme in 2020, Google is all set to bring the second cohort of DigiPivot in collaboration with Avtar Group, pioneers in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Solutions in India, and the country’s leading business school, Centre for Executive Education at Indian School of Business (ISB). The curated skilling program in digital marketing is exclusively meant for women.
CHINA
CHINA CONSIDERING RESTRICTIONS ON STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS OVER CONCERNS OF ‘WESTERN INFLUENCE’ ON YOUTH
China is considering an initiative to discourage minors from studying overseas as at least 90 percent of them preferred to move out to study abroad, preferably in the US, according to a report by South China Morning Post. In 2019, a staggering number of 700,000 Chinese migrated, this figure going up 6 percent from last reported, the Ministry of Education alleged.
UK & EUROPE
UCAS REVEALS 17% INCREASE IN NON-EU APPLICATIONS THIS AUTUMN
UCAS has reported that the January figures show a 17% jump in the number of applications from international applicants from non-EU countries for the autumn intake in the higher education landscape. The international student applications from non-EU countries increased to a record 85,610. The ones from the EU have dropped to only 26,010, with a decline of 40%.
CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL REPLACES IGCSE EXAMS WITH TEACHER ASSESSMENT
Cambridge International announced that it is moving to teacher assessment based on students’ work for iGCSE in the UK. The board stated that the switch will be available in only a few countries and regions, including the UK, where it is not possible to conduct the exams as usual.
MASSIVE FEE HIKES FOR EU STUDENTS LOOKING TO STUDY ART IN THE UK FROM SEPTEMBER
UK universities and art schools are gearing up for tough autumn ahead as the tuition fees for EU students will witness a massive fee hike. The fees for EU students will be at par with the rate for international students for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses from September 2021.
70% OF IB SCHOOLS FOLLOWING CONTROVERSIAL 2021 EXAMS
The International Baccalaureate has listed the schools that will use exams for the assessment of students using the controversial “dual route” approach with exams and teacher assessments for students in 2021. It states that as many as 70% of schools across the globe will follow this pattern.
THE £800M UK SCIENCE RESEARCH AGENCY ARIA TO START IN 2022
A new £800m military research agency, the Advanced Research & Invention Agency (Aria), will be launched next year. The agency will be spearheaded by Dominic Cummings, who served as a former Boris Johnson aide. ARIA follows the US’ Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa).
UK DEGREE FRAUD WITH 85 FAKE UNIVERSITY SITES TAKEN DOWN IN 5 YEARS
A surprisingly high number of 85 fake UK university sites have been taken down over the last five years as part of the crackdown on degree fraud in the country. Fake degrees are a serious concern in the country as career aspirants seek to stand apart in a competitive labour market.
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