UK
UK UNIVERSITIES WARNED BY OECD OVER MASSIVE FEES FOR ONLINE LEARNING
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned British universities over the massive tuition fees even as much of the teaching remains online. These universities are charging some of the highest fees in the world. Conversely, they are struggling to balance safety concerns with the demand to reopen face-to-face teaching.
UK STUDENTS TO HAVE A SAY IN THE FUTURE OF THE ONLINE MODE OF LEARNING
The higher education regulator in England stated that students should have a say in the future of the online mode of learning. Universities in the country are likely to resume face-to-face learning this year after an extended period of online learning during the pandemic. Despite the impending move, there has to be a provision for the online mode as and when there is a need.
UK STUDENTS TO SHOW COVID STATUS IF THEY WANT TO PARTY
Student unions in the UK want students to validate their COVID status to be allowed to attend fresher’s parties in the coming weeks. They will need to provide a COVID pass or negative test result as evidence. The move intends to avoid a repeat of virus outbreaks on-campus like the ones that happened during the last year.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE UK STRUGGLE TO FIND QUALITY ACCOMMODATION
A large number of international students from India are having a hard time finding quality accommodation in the UK. Universities across the country are housing students in places from their campuses to deal with the surging demand for accommodation. The University of Bristol has had to send 100 students to Bath, while The University of York has had to place them in Hull.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN SHEFFIELD GENERATE £313 MILLION BENEFIT FOR THE ECONOMY
The latest research indicates that the Sheffield Central constituency generates a massive £313 million benefit for the UK economy with a single year’s intake of incoming international students. The total economic benefit of £25.9 billion spread across the UK, and this report gives the results for all of the 650 Westminster constituencies.
US & CANADA
VISA INTERVIEW WAIVERS FOR SOME INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BY THE US
The state department announced that select international students planning to study in the US will be eligible for visa interview waivers. These include individuals applying for M, F, and academic J-visas as students, research scholars, short-term scholars, professors, or specialists. Consulates may grant waivers to individuals previously issued any type of visa, who have no apparent or potential ineligibility, and were never refused a visa.
CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES NEED TO DO MORE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
As international students struggle with anxiety and stress during the pandemic, Canadian universities need to do more to support them. Ezgi Ozyonum, a Turkish international student and researcher pursuing a doctoral degree at Concordia University in Montreal, states that international students have encountered physical, financial, and emotional obstacles during this period and need help from institutions.
INDIA
IIT LAUNCHES AN AI-BASED TRANSLATION SOFTWARE FOR INDIAN STUDENTS
A team from IIT Bombay gas recently launched an AI-powered translation software for translating scientific and technical learning material from English to Indian languages. Project Udaan is capable of translating engineering textbooks in just one-sixth of the time taken by a team of linguistic and domain experts doing the same manually.
SURVEY SHOWS THAT 33% OF EDUCATED YOUTH IN INDIA ARE UNEMPLOYED DUE TO A DEARTH OF FUTURE SKILLS
A recent survey conducted by ImaginXP, an ed-tech and skill development company, shows that the skill development quotient in India needs a desperate upheaval. It is also an area of focus for the new National Education Policy (NEP) of the country. The survey found that nearly 33% of the educated youth are unemployed because they lack future-ready skills despite getting a degree.
SCHOOLCHILDREN IN INDIA MUST LEARN PHILOSOPHY IN CLASSROOMS
Modern India needs to introduce philosophy in schools as children need to learn the subject in classrooms. The purpose is to reconnect to the rich legacy inherited from their wise ancestors. Even as modern parents may see philosophy as a waste of time, it makes children better prepared to see opportunities and adversities in the larger context.
SKILL-BASED PROGRAMMES FOR TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY LAUNCHED
Symbiosis Skills and Professional University has collaborated with Gravittus Foundation to launch skill-based programmes for the transgender community. The aim of these courses is to facilitate inclusive learning for the community so that they can access the best employment opportunities and skilled jobs with specialized skills such as beauty services, tailoring, and herbal product making.
CHINA
NEW ORIENTAL CLOSES K-12 SUBSIDIARY IN CHINA
New Oriental has decided to close down DFUB in China. DFUB is New Oriental’s subsidiary that focuses on K-12 online education. It was founded in 2016 and had 282 branches with 2 million students registered in them. It facilitated education for students in less developed areas by experienced Beijing-based teachers via online platforms.
