AROUND THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WORLD THIS WEEK- ISSUE #45

UK & EU

UK UNIVERSITIES LOOKING FORWARD TO INDIAN PARTNERSHIPS

Despite the restrictions on international travel during the pandemic, Indian students aspiring for higher education abroad have made it to the UK in record numbers. The UK’s new Graduate Immigration Route is one of the main reasons for the growing numbers. UK universities are taking a cue and looking forward to Indian partnerships to spur the bilateral relationship.

YEARS TO BRING CHILDREN BACK ON TRACK AFTER THE PANDEMIC

Clare Marriott from Bishop’s Primary School in Ashington addressed children and parents at the start of the day. She stated that the road ahead is long and daunting, and it can take years to pick up the pieces after the pandemic. The disruption left children and parents isolated and without routine support, and getting back on track will take time.

UK ID CARD MOVE COULD FORCE STUDENTS TO OPT FOR IRELAND AND MALTA

According to the English language providers in the UK and agents in Europe, international students may pick alternative destinations such as Ireland and Malta due to the new entry rules that started in October. Many EU residents use ID cards to enter the UK for studying English in the short term. But they cannot use these ID cards anymore and will have to show a valid passport to get entry.

$4BN RAISED BY GLOBAL SUMMIT RAISES DESPITE AID ROW

According to Boris Johnson, investing in education in the poorest countries is the best investment in the future of humanity. The statement came during a global education summit in London. Global leaders pledged a whopping sum of more than $4bn to extend support to schools through the Global Partnership for Education. The impressive figures came despite the UK’s aid cuts.

SCHOOL AID FOR THE WAR-RIDDEN SYRIAN CHILDREN

The UK is all set to provide £15.8m funding for protecting and supporting children’s education in war-ridden zones such as Syria. School children in the country have lived their entire lives in wartime, and they know warplanes rather than shops and malls. The aid will help some of the most vulnerable children in the world.

MASK MANDATES DROPPED IN ENGLISH SCHOOLS LEADING TO A RISE IN CASES

As the virus continues to hit England, the country went high stakes gambling by sending millions of students back to school. The bigger concern is that there are no vaccines or mask mandates for them. It has led to an increase in the number of cases yet again, raising alarms in the country.

ENGLISH SCHOOLS MUST STEER CLEAR OF TEACHING WHITE PRIVILEGE

New guidance for English schools states that they should avoid teaching contested opinions and complex political issues like White Privilege to students. Conversely, they must cover topics such as racial and social justice in a balanced and factual manner.

ENGLISH MINISTERS COULD CUT SHORT STUDENT NUMBERS ON LOW-EARNING ARTS DEGREES

The English government has new plans to cut short the number of students pursuing creative and other degrees that provide lower salary returns for them. As outstanding loans in the country increase, the treasury wants to limit the number of students less likely to pay back their loans in the long run.

SPAIN TOPS STUDENTS’ SATISFACTION RANKING

A recent survey of 108,000 students worldwide has stated that Spanish universities rank at the top for international students’ satisfaction rates. Other countries that made it to the list include Austria, Estonia, Hungary, and Italy. The survey also noted that the average student satisfaction score has come down to 3.56% this year in comparison to 2019.

USA & CANADA

US STATE DEPARTMENT DETAILS INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION COMMITMENT

The US Department of State recently highlighted new commitments by the government to promote the country as an international study destination. Earlier this year, the departments of State and Education issued a statement outlining plans for federal agencies to be a part of a national approach to extend a warm welcome for international students and scholars coming to the US.

THE NUMBER OF CHINESE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE US DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY

According to the latest reports, the number of Chinese students in the US has witnessed a massive drop recently. Until now, students from Mainland China made up the largest group of international students studying in the country, but the picture has changed completely in post-pandemic times.

OHIO EXTENDS A WARM WELCOME TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FOLLOWING PANDEMIC CHALLENGES

Ohio University is one of the leading international education institutions in the US. After a bleak phase during the pandemic, the university is all set to welcome 330 international students hailing from 65 countries. In total. OHIO has enrolled 993 international students from 112 countries around the world. There are 276 undergraduate and 717 graduate students.

CALLS FOR CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES TO SUPPORT AFGHAN REFUGEES

WUSC, a Canadian global development organisation, is calling on universities and colleges in the country to support Afghans through its Refugee Support Program. The Canadian government had already announced in September this year that it would accept 40,000 Afghan refugees for resettlement following the unrest in Afghanistan.

US HIGHER EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS SEEK CLARIFICATION ON VACCINES

Higher education associations in the US are appealing to the government to let international students from countries with shortages of World Health Organization-approved Covid vaccines arrive in the country. The White House and CDC have stated that only fully-vaccinated international arrivals will be allowed to enter the country, making it hard for students not yet vaccinated with approved vaccines.

AUSTRALIA

THE RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IS THE BIGGEST QUESTION FOR AUSTRALIA

International education is the third-largest export industry for Australia, but it suffered a massive hit during the extended lockdowns amid the pandemic. As the country prepares to reopen its borders, the question right now is whether the industry will witness a revival. The picture does not seem too great as international students are unhappy with the country’s stance during the crisis.  

FUNDING CUTS FOR AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES WITH TOO MANY CASUALS

According to Australian senators, the universities in the country with too many casuals should get a funding cut. Further, they recommended a new national strategy in the country, along with top-up funding and better entry rights for the union.

ASIA

SINGAPORE ASPIRES TO BECOME A GLOBAL EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE HUB

Singapore has always been committed to human resource development. It aspires to take the mindset a step ahead by turning itself into an educational and knowledge hub. The country has already invested in research infrastructure and big budgets to build a future in the industry. However, it has a long way to go to achieve its goals in the field of international higher education.

SCHOLARS URGING JAPAN TO START ISSUING VISAS TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AGAIN

Global scholars have urged Japan to ease the restrictions on international students, warning that the stance will damage the country’s global outlook in education. Over 650 students and academics from universities across the US, Britain, Japan, and other countries have sent a petition to the Japanese authorities, urging them to resume the visa process for international students.

LEARNING DISRUPTED FOR MORE THAN 400 MILLION SOUTH ASIAN CHILDREN DUE TO THE PANDEMIC

The pandemic has hit global education hard, and some parts of the world are affected more than others. A UNICEF report stated that South Asia was among the worst hit, with learning and education disrupted for more than 400 million children in this region.

INDIA

CBSE STUDENTS MAKE BIG DEMAND OVER CLASS 10, 12 BOARD EXAM 2022

CBSE class 10 and 12 students have asked the board to provide them with the option to appear for online or offline exams in the term 1 board examinations this year. The demand came days after CBSE released the date-sheet for the upcoming examinations commencing offline from November 30.

CBSE STUDENTS TO CLASS 10 AND 12 EXAMS FROM THEIR OWN SCHOOLS

CBSE students appearing for class 10 and 12 term 1 board exams will be allowed to sit for exams from their own schools. The board has issued the guideline to cut down the travel requirements for the students. However, they will have the option to change the exam centre. Further, CBSE will have invigilators and observers at the exam centres to ensure fairness.

INDIA AIDING AFRICAN COUNTRIES TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL GAP

India is making special efforts to help African countries to support their development and extend digital literacy in this part of the world. The announcement was made by the MoS for external affairs, V Muraleedharan, at the India-Africa Higher Education and Skill Development Summit held virtually.

INDIA CAN BECOME THE GLOBAL EDTECH CAPITAL

According to Amitabh Kant, CEO of Niti Aayog, India can become the global edtech capital. The possibility is fuelled by the collaboration between the public and private sectors in the edtech field. The private sector plays a significant role, while the public sector acts as a facilitator.

NEP 2020 AND THE LANGUAGE-IN-EDUCATION POLICY

The National Education Policy of India-2020 is a key policy document that lays the national-level education strategy for the millennium. An emphasis on education in the mother tongue is one of the highlights of the policy. It will be imparted at the primary levels in the state- and privately-owned schools in the country.



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