USA & CANADA
THE IMPACT OF NEW MARIJUANA LEGISLATION IN CONNECTICUT ON COLLEGE STUDENTS
The recent legalization of cannabis in Connecticut allows the possession and use of recreational marijuana for users over 21 years starting July 1. The law also permits the cultivation of a maximum of six cannabis plants at home. While users have much more freedom now, students cannot expect to light up around college campuses or grow cannabis in dorms. Moreover, they can still face penalties for breaking the rules.
YALE UNIVERSITY SUPPORTS WORK PROGRAMME FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BY JOINING THE COURT BRIEF
In a recent development, Yale University, along with 150 other colleges and universities across the United States, has filed a brief seeking a federal court to support the programme allowing international students to get work experience outside their classroom studies. The brief was filed to show support for continuing Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme in the US.
OUT-OF-STATE STUDENT ADMISSIONS IN TOP UC CAMPUSES TO WITNESS A CUT TO ACCOMMODATE MORE LOCALS
The leading University of California campuses- UCLA, UC San Diego, and UC Berkeley- are all set to cut down the admissions for out-of-state and international students. The objective of the initiative is to accommodate more local residents instead. Additionally, an amendment in state budget bills would increase the admission count with 6,230 more freshmen in 2022.
GREATER PARTICIPATION FOR SHORT MOBILITY PROGRAMMES
According to a survey report called “The Short-term mobility: long-term impact”, short-term mobility programmes are effective for breaking down barriers to participation and delivering impact. Study placements need not be lengthy to inspire international students and bring changes of a lifetime.
HELP FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY FOR BOOKING VACCINE APPOINTMENTS
The Students Union at the Cape Breton University is helping international students by booking their COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Students from other countries do not get a health card until they have spent 13 months in Nova Scotia, so it is not possible for them to book an appointment online. The secure booking programme launched on June 22 is helping them resolve this challenge.
FIRST PHASE OF BORDER REOPENING REVEALED BY CANADA
As Canada’s government gears up for the first phase of relaxing border measures for international travellers, universities see it as a positive move for an upcoming revival of the sector. From July 5, asymptomatic travellers inoculated with recognised vaccines will not have to take a Covid-19 test on day-8 or go into quarantine. The changes are already sparking interest from international students planning to pursue education in Canada.
UK & EU
END OF TERM CELEBRATIONS AT THE CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY COULD BE CANCELLED IF COVID CASES CONTINUE TO SURGE
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge declared that the end-of-term celebrations could get cancelled if the number of COVID cases among students continues to surge. The concern grows as the Delta variant spikes in the country. The asymptomatic testing regime in the university found 17 cases in the mid of June, compared to only two a week before.
STUDENTS IN THE UK WANT A REFUND FOR TUITION FEES AS A THIRD YEAR ONLINE LOOMS AHEAD
As students in the UK face a third year of online learning in a row, they expect a refund of at least part of the tuition fees charged each year. Most universities in the country are planning to provide a hybrid mix of online lectures and in-person seminars when the term begins this autumn. The exact teaching blend will depend on the current social distancing rules and double-vaccination of students in time.
EARLY COVID BOOSTERS FOR WORK OR STUDY ABROAD BY HELSINKI, ESPOO
Helsinki and Espoo are gearing up to provide COVID booster doses earlier than the regular 12-week period to residents requiring them to travel overseas for work or study. The doses will be available to eligible workers or students travelling abroad in just over a week. The vaccine will be administered on an individual basis.
INDIA
DUPLICATE CLASS 10, 12 ACADEMIC DOCUMENTS FOR CBSE STUDENTS THROUGH ‘DADS’ PORTAL
CBSE students can now access duplicate copies of their academic documents through a Duplicate Academic Document System (DADS) launched by the board. The documents available here include mark sheets, migration certificates, etc, and students can get them easily if they lose any of these. They only need to log in to the board’s official site to gain access.
ANDHRA PRADESH LAUNCHES PROGRAMME TO TRANSFORM FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING WITH THE AID OF WORLD BANK
Andhra Pradesh has launched Supporting Andhra’s Learning Transformation (SALT), a programme aimed to strengthen foundation schools and provide training and skill development to teachers. The programme is supported by the World Bank, which has approved a loan of a whopping 250 million dollars for its implementation.
HIRING OF APPRENTICES IN INDIA WITNESSES A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE AMID PANDEMIC
Even as people lose jobs and struggle to find new employment opportunities amid the pandemic, there is positive news on one front. The hiring of apprentices across India has witnessed a massive increase in the financial year 2020-21, rising by an impressive 35% during the period. Sectors such as BFSI, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, ITeS, and e-Commerce have played significant roles in this context.
SCHOOLS IN INDIA TO REMAIN SHUT, PARENTS WANT LIVE CLASSES IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS
Even as the curve flattens after a massive second wave of the pandemic in India, the government still has no plans for reopening schools in the country. A survey suggests that 70% of parents are not in favour of sending their children to school. But the other 30% reiterate the importance of reopening schools. Parents of children studying in government schools want live online classes for their wards.
ANDHRA PRADESH, TELANGANA CONSIDER REOPENING OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES WITH 50% ATTENDANCE AND STAGGERED TIMINGS
The states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are giving a thought to the idea of reopening schools and colleges in the near future. They plan to implement measures such as staggered timings and 50% attendance in morning and evening batches or on alternate days to ensure safety as students come back to campus. Telangana may reopen from July 1, and Andhra Pradesh may do it in August.
DELHI GOVT WILL TAKE OVER SCHOOL OVER ‘EXTRA FEE’ CHARGES
Delhi government will take over Swami Sivananda Memorial Secondary School, a government-aided school located in Punjabi Bagh. The school has been charged for being arbitrary and violating rules. It will be penalized under provisions of the Delhi School Education Act. The school authorities have denied the charges, stating that the government has misconstrued voluntary donations as fees.
CBSE LAUNCHES HANDBOOK FOR SKILL MODULE ON HANDICRAFTS FOR STUDENTS
CBSE has joined hands with Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council (HCSSC) to launch a handbook for a skill module on handicrafts for students enrolled in classes 6 to 8. The core objective is to create awareness about the rich cultural heritage of the country and nurture an entrepreneurial mindset amongst young Indian students.
ASIA
LACK OF INTEREST IN STUDYING ABROAD BY JAPAN’S YOUTH IS A PROBLEM FOR JAPANESE BUSINESSES
As Japanese companies expand their global operations, they need employees capable of working in foreign countries. For this reason, they want young talent with previous experience living abroad as students. However, the bad news for businesses is that the young people in the country do not have much interest in international education.
JAPANESE GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES IN THE COUNTRY
Japan is preparing to probe the operations of Chinese Confucius Institutes within its universities. The education ministry will have questions on Confucius Institute funding and participants. They will also verify if these institutes have an influence on research at universities. Currently, Confucius Institutes are hosted at 14 institutions across Japan, and they can be set up without government approval.
10,000 SCHOLARSHIP CELEBRATIONS BY EAA AND SPARK
Education Above All (EAA) and SPARK came together in 2016 to help Syrian students and internally displaced host community youth with financial aid for education. The Al Fakhoora programme made a milestone with a total of 10,000 scholarships, and the event was marked by a historic meeting between Queen Máxima of the Netherland and two Syrian students.
AUSTRALIA
GREEN-LIGHT SYSTEM BEING CONSIDERED BY AUSTRALIA FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PILOT
The Australian government is all set to bring back international students to its universities. As a part of the student pilot initiative, it may soon test a “green light/ red light” border system to allow vaccinated travellers. The federal government has already given approval to South Australia’s plan to permit the return of 160 students per fortnight this month. The NSW pilot will receive 250 international students every two weeks.
If you are considering studying abroad why don’t you discuss your prospects and opportunities with experts at Lurnable’s dedicated study abroad counselling division LurnPathways?
