USA
50% DECLINE IN ENROLMENTS FOR US INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM
A recent report has revealed a whopping 50% decline in the number of international students participating in US intensive English programmes in 2020. The programmes had 75,000 international students on roll in 2019 and the number came down to only 37,000 in the year of the pandemic. Countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada have also witnessed similar declines in their intensive English programmes.
HARVARD GETS 1,962 ADMISSIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2025
Harvard expects to get 1,962 students in the Class of 2025. Most of them say they will join in the fall. Harvard recently announced the plan to reopen the in the fall. It will hold the classes’ in-person and open residential accommodations at full capacity this August. Since financial aid was a crucial concern for a large number of students this year, the college has done its bit with grants.
AMENDING ENTREPRENEUR RULES CAN SPUR THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY OF THE US
A non-profit public policy organisation recommends that the US Department of Homeland and Security must focus on international entrepreneurs to speed up economic recovery from the pandemic. They should ensure the use of all green cards every year, allow job portability for people in the extended employment-based green card backlogs, and expand the list of academic fields for Optional Practical Training for STEM graduates.
SURVEY SUGGESTS THAT US HIGHER EDUCATION WILL WITNESS A COMEBACK IN 2022
A recent survey by Keystone Academic Solutions has uncovered the possibility of the higher education sector in the US making a comeback in 2022. According to the study, 83% of students favoured studying in the country after the election of Biden as the US president. Further, it found that finding is the top concern for prospective international students while deciding the courses in the US.
UK & EU
UK GOVERNMENT FORMS RESEARCH ADVISORY TEAM
The UK government has formed a research advisory team to provide key advice to researchers on safeguarding their work from hostile activity. It will also guide them to ensure safety and security in international collaboration. The Manchester-based team will work under the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Its objective is to promote government advice on high-security matters.
FULLY DIGITAL BORDER WITH UK IMMIGRATION REFORM
The UK immigration reform aspires to create a fully digital border for the country with the adoption of Electronic Travel Authorisations, similar to those used in the US. Travellers will require an ETA before they enter the country. The system will be in force by the end of 2025 and ensure better security by checking for criminals from other countries automatically.
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDS THAT UNIVERSITIES SHOULD DIVERSIFY INCOME STREAMS
According to the Scottish government report, universities in the country should consider diversifying their income streams. It is vital to address the funding gaps and resolve the concern of potentially volatile international student fees. The report also highlighted a considerable reduction of 12% in public sector funding for higher education during the last seven years.
‘BRAND SCOTLAND’ MAKING IT BIG AS SCOTTISH UNIVERSITIES EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA
‘Brand Scotland’ is gathering steam in the prospective education market, and higher education institutions across the country are taking a cautiously optimistic approach to the autumn 2021 intake. As a part of the initiative, they are focusing on India as a potential source of opportunities, with the UK reintroducing the post-study work option for international graduates.
€2.5M FOR REFUGEE SCHOLARSHIPS BY DAAD AFRICA
The German Academic Exchange Programme (DAAD) has launched a scholarship award scheme for master’s degrees in collaboration with the UN Refugees Agency. It targets refugees living in East Africa countries, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan. The programme has started with 51 scholarships, including 19 from this part of the world. These scholarships will amount to a massive €2.5 million annually.
EDUCATE VENTURES COLLABORATES TO LAUNCH THE FIRST RESEARCH-LED EDTECH ACCELERATOR IN SWEDEN
EDUCATE Ventures has come together with internationally recognised partners F6S and BESA to launch the first research-led edtech accelerator in Sweden. The research accelerator is funded partly by ERDF. The EDUCATE programme is tailored to foster within the edtech sector by providing specialised training for supporting evidence-informed educational technology.
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES WILL LOSE A WHOPPING $2BN THIS YEAR
After a disastrous 2020, Australian universities have another bad year ahead, as they are set to lose a whopping $2 billion in revenue again amid the border closures and absence of international students applying to study abroad here. The country has some of the most stringent entry requirements globally, and international students have been campaigning consistently to be allowed back.
INDIA
TELANGANA BEGINS VACCINATION DRIVE FOR STUDENTS PLANNING TO GO ABROAD
Telangana has stepped up measures to help aspiring international students by starting a vaccination drive for them at the Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM), Narayanaguda. To date, more than 7000 international students have registered for the vaccines with the government health department. The current vaccination drive at IPM will cover 350 students per day.
CENTRAL GOVT TO HELP INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUCK IN INDIA
The central government has come up with an initiative to help international students who have been stuck in the country due to the strict travel restrictions after the massive second wave of the pandemic. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asked the Indian students to connect with their OIA-II Division if stuck in the country.
WILL INDIAN STUDENTS IN THE US HAVE TO TAKE COVID VACCINES AGAIN?
Since Covaxin is yet to get a nod from the WHO, there are doubts whether the universities in the US will approve this particular vaccine for Indian students. The concern also extends to the students who have taken Covishield shots because the 12-week gap between its doses is an issue for foreign-bound students seeking admission to the US-based HEIs. The questions loom large for the Indian study abroad aspirants.
FALL IN FOREIGN ADMISSIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN BENGALURU
The pandemic and international travel restrictions have hit international schools in Bengaluru as they have witnessed a significant fall in the number of foreign admissions this year. These schools cater to expats and people of Indian origin had a hard year in 2020 when many expat families decided to shift base from India, and this year has been even worse.
JAPAN
FIRST HARROW INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WILL OPEN IN JAPAN IN 2022
Japan is gearing up for the opening of the first Harrow International School in August 2022. Harrow Appi will take both boys and girls and provide an excellent educational and boarding experience in a breathtaking landscape. Harrow School in the UK dates back to 1572 and is acclaimed for its high academic standards and enriching curriculum that challenge its students.
