AROUND THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WORLD THIS WEEK- ISSUE #22

UK & EU

SCOTLAND MUST HAVE ITS OWN ERASMUS SCHEME- LIB DEMS

According to Lib Dems, further education centres in Scotland should give up the UK Turing Scheme and have their own Erasmus scheme in place. The government should follow a model similar to the one introduced in Wales and opt out of the UK version. The Lib Dems are a part of the Welsh Government, which has already provided a massive £65 million for its scheme to date.

G7- 40 MILLION MORE GIRLS IN LOW AND MID-INCOME NATIONS TO GO TO SCHOOL

The G7 group is all set to pursue the noble cause of making school education accessible to as many as 40 million girls from low and mid-income nations within the next five years. Foreign ministers of these countries will announce a $15bn (£10.8bn) two-year support package at a London summit to commit to this objective of providing aid to women in developing countries.

STUDENTS FROM OXFORD, CAMBRIDGE RAISE OVER RS 18 LAKH FOR HELPING COVID-STRICKEN INDIA

A joint fundraiser launched by Oxford and Cambridge societies has managed to gather Rs 18 lakh as a contribution towards Covid relief in India. The collection amounts to one-third of their target to raise £50,000. The initiative aims to help Indian charities in provisioning oxygen supplies and bringing improvement of medical care in the country, both being dire concerns right now.

PEARSON ENGLISH AND BBC COLLABORATE FOR SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM

Pearson English has collaborated with BBC Studios to launch the “Speak Out for Sustainability” initiative that aims to bring awareness and drive interaction on key sustainability issues. These include deforestation, carbon footprint reduction, deforestation, and more. The initiative will bring together English language educators and learners from around the world and encourage them to foster a more sustainable world.

AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIA- EXPERT WARNS ABOUT THE DIRE REPERCUSSIONS FROM TRAVEL BAN ON INDIA

Australia’s tough travel restrictions on India are expected to have dire repercussions on the country’s relationship with Australia, particularly in the higher education sector. India will probably have to rethink its stance if the travel ban drags on. It can be a serious matter for Australian industries, which are already trying to fortify their ties with India after the strained trade relationships with China.

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT INVESTS $53M TO SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SECTOR

The Australian government will extend a support package worth $53 million for the international education sector, which has been one of the hardest hit in the pandemic. The package covers English language and non-university higher education providers in the country. The government has taken up the initiative to encourage these providers to realign their business models and expand online course offerings.

INDIA

INDIA EMBRACES DIGITAL EDUCATION AMID THE PANDEMIC

Although the pandemic has brought immense challenges for India, the good thing about it is that it has driven a digital shift for the country’s education system. Even as the move has long been overdue, it has bridged the gap between private and government schools. The transition, despite being a forced one, will take the country a step closer to the global education standards eventually.

NATIONAL SKILL TEST WITH SCHOLARSHIPS WORTH RS 50 LAKH LAUNCHED BY AMITY UNIVERSITY ONLINE

Amity University Online is all set to launch an initiative called Amity Career Fest to bring students and potential employers on a common platform so that both can find the best fits for them. It also plans to conduct a National Skill Test to grant more than Rs 50 lakh in scholarships along with 1000 free courses and upskilling opportunities for students across India.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT COURSES SHOULD BE RESTRUCTURED IN 2021

As students and educational leaders recognize the value of skill development courses, they also recommend that these courses need to be restructured in 2021 to make students ready for the competitive world. With technologies such as AI and machine learning making inroads into the industries, reconstructing skill development courses does not remain a choice for students who want to stay relevant.

CANADA

ENTRY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN ONTARIO COULD BE BANNED AMID A COVID-19 SPIKE

Canada may impose a temporary ban on the entry of international students in Ontario following a sudden increase in the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Currently, they are exempt from the country’s travel rules and are allowed entry if they have a study permit or a letter of introduction showing approval for a study permit. But things may change once the move to restrict entry is implemented.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND LAG BEHIND WHILE UK AND CANADA EMERGE AS STUDY ABROAD LEADERS

A recent survey has suggested that Australia and New Zealand are clear laggards as destinations for students aspiring to study abroad in 2021. UK and Canada have witnessed growing popularity as international education destinations in recent months. The US is also seen as a welcoming destination, while the Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, and UAE have seen an uptick too. 

USA

HARVARD PRESIDENT TELLS WHITE HOUSE TO EASE RETURN FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Lawrence Bacow, President of Harvard University, has urged the White House government officials to ease the return of international students to the country. He also highlighted and hit back at the hurdles that the former administration put in place for students aspiring to pursue higher education in US universities. Further, he stated that colleges and universities should be allowed to extend their outreach to more students.

GOOD NEWS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE US AS THEY CAN APPLY FOR H1B VISAS AGAIN

With the executive order by former President Donald Trump banning the H1B visa expiring on 31 March 2021, international students in the US now have a big reason to celebrate. Moreover, President Biden is not likely to renew the visa suspension, making things even better for H1B visa hopefuls. President Biden has already withdrawn the ban on green cards imposed by the previous president.

US GRANTS EXEMPTION TO COVID TRAVEL RULES FOR STUDENTS FROM CHINA, BRAZIL, EUROPE, AND IRAN

International students who were previously unable to enter the US due to Covid travel restrictions will now be exempted under a National Interest Exception (NIE). The exemption applies to the students presently in China, Brazil, Iran, South Africa, the UK, Ireland, and the European Schengen area. F-1 or M-1 visa holders can enter the country if their academic programme starts August 1 2021 or later.


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