Sannam S4 Education Division  presents this monthly newsletter - EduChat with a brief overview of key & latest updates from Brazil, China, India, Malaysia and UAE which can impact your institution plans and operations.
EduChat                                November 2016
In This Issue
Dear Reader,
 
In this edition of EduChat we have made an effort to bring to you the most recent developments and the latest news from 5 different countries (Brazil, China, India, Malaysia and UAE). Our brief note on each of these countries tries to cite the socio-economic setting of the country.
 
Starting October 2016, we have introduced two new sections in the newsletter. "Research and Partnerships" is where you will see the Indian partnership opportunities that could be explored and the second new section is "Tête-à-tête" where every month we will introduce you to one of our exemplary staff members.
 
Your feedback is valuable to us and we would really appreciate your comments on how we can make the EduChat more meaningful and value creating. Do click on the feedback link and let us know.
 
We hope you enjoy this issue of the 'Educhat'.
 
Editorial team
Research and Partnerships Spotlight

1. One of the leading petroleum universities in India is open to partnering with institutions from Canada/United States of America for semester abroad, student exchange and faculty exchange programs.

 

2. A leading private university from the North of India is looking for partnerships in STEM courses. The university is open to 2+2, 3+1 and 4+1 arrangements, semester abroad and student exchange programs.

 

To find out more about this opportunity, please write to education@sannams4.com.

Tête-à-tête - 2: Tanuj Maini
"Coming to work itself is fun. I was a fresher to the education industry when I joined this Organization. Interviewing students and understanding the international education landscape is the best part. In my tenure of almost two years I've been dealing with things that I've never dealt with in the past or in my previous job profile in previous organization. So it has been a wonderful learning and experience so far."... says Mr. Tanuj Maini, Junior Project Officer - India, Federation University, Australia.

Click here to read more...


Brazil
The challenges have been never ending for Brazil. It has been 6 months of Michel Temer's Presidency and the situation in Brazil has turned more critical. Michel Temer through his Education Reform bill has ordered to change the currently flexible school operations to become full-time education. This move is being gravely opposed by the students all over the country. In protest, students have occupied more than 1,000 schools and the Government is showing no sign of giving into the pressure. Adding to this grim situation, the Government, in a move to reduce Federal spending, is drafting a law to freeze the Federal spending for the next 20 years which could potentially compromise the spending on education and healthcare. 



Analyzing Michel Temer's first 6 months as President

Source:  plus 55
Brazil's scientists battle to escape 20-year funding freeze

Source:  nature.com

Teen gives voice to Brazilian student protest movement


Source:  CNN
China
1 4 Chinese universities have made it to the 6th Annual employability rankings. Graduates from American Universities have been the most employable followed by Graduates from Chinese Universities. With 328,547 students China is the No: 1 supplier of higher education students to the US. Though President-elect Donald Trump's take on immigration policy is unclear, Mr. Brian Libel the Chief of Public Affairs of the US Consulate General in China said that the changes in immigration policy (if made) will not affect the growing number of Chinese students moving to the US for higher studies. United States will continue to welcome Chinese students. Currently Chinese students contribute USD 11.43 billion to the US economy as per 2015 statistics.



University links vital 14 Chinese universities make into THE global university employability ranking
 
Source:  Xinhua
University links vital for  China-Britain relations: CBI report
 

Source:  Xinhua
Chinese studying in US given assurance   


Source: China.org.cn 
India
The recent demonetization (scrapping of old 500 and 1000 rupee currency notes effective from midnight of November 8th , 2016) move by the Indian Government has come as a surprise to the entire nation. India is predominantly a cash economy with 86% of transactions in cash. The surprise announcement has stalled the economic activity in the country. Any bank deposit of greater than INR 250,000 will need to have a proof of earnings. Any unaccounted cash or undeclared income is likely to attract a tax penalty of 30% plus a surcharge of 33% on tax and a general penalty of 10%. In addition to this 25% of the undeclared income will be deposited in an interest free deposit scheme for 4 years which will be spent on welfare activities for the poor. Restrictions have been placed on withdrawals from the bank accounts. This might affect the numbers of January intake of foreign universities recruiting in India.



HRD Ministry encouraging Educational institutions to go for cashless transactions

Source:  The Economic Times
UK calls to strengthen partnership with India in higher education


Australian varsity launches initiative to boost higher education in India

 


Source:  Business Standard
Malaysia
Not only is Malaysia eyeing to become a hub for international education in the Asia Pacific region by hosting 250,000 foreign students but is also looking to build a robust education system within the nation. The Education Blueprint 2013-2025, by the Malaysian Government, includes 11 strategic and operational shifts to strengthen the education system. Malaysia through these strategies aims to use technology to improve teaching content, methods and outcomes in the schools. Microsoft has lauded Malaysia's Education Blueprint and is lending a hand in achieving the set goals.

At the higher education level Malaysia aims to churn out 60,000 PhD students by 2023 to meet the nation's need for research and innovation. RM 500 million has been allocated to continue the scholarships under MyBrain initiative. So far, 54,035 students have availed scholarships at cost of RM 800 million to the Malaysian Government.


Directions for Asia-Pacific higher education


Source:  The Star
Higher Education Ministry maintains aim of producing 60,000 PhD holders by 2023

Microsoft lauds Malaysia's education blueprint


 

QS-APPLE Conference 2016, Malaysia

QS-Asia Pacific Professional Leaders in Education (APPLE) Conference was held in Malaysia from Nov 22nd  to 24th, 2 016. Sannam S4 was represented by Ms. Sharon Bamford (Vice President) and Ms. Lakshmi Iyer (Executive Director and Head of Education) at the conference. We presented a detailed study on Indian student preferences for studying abroad and methods of maximizing the return on investment while recruiting students from India. To know more about the findings, please write to education@sannams4.com.
UAE
Two major global events, UK's BREXIT and USA's Trump victory, might prove beneficial to UAE's higher education sector. With increasing number of international branch campuses in the UAE the students now might opt to stay back and study further in UAE, instead of moving abroad for higher education. The experts feel that Trump's presidency and his take on immigration policy might deter the student going to the US for higher education and BREXIT might force the students from UAE to evaluate other options. 






Will Trump's victory boost higher education in UAE?

Source:  Khaleej Times
Brexit no dampener for UAE Students 


Source:  Gulf News
Introduction of part-time student work permits in the UAE

Source:  pwc
Travel Diaries - Meet Our Expert

Meet the representative of Sannam S4 in these cities on the following dates to discuss how we can help you Explore, Enter and Expand your business in the new markets:

December 7: Morgan town, WV, USA
December 8-9: Washington, DC, USA
December 12-16: Washington, DC, USA
December 19-23: Washington, DC, USA
December 26-28: Allentown, PA, USA
December 28-30: Vancouver, BC, Canada


Michael Green 
Director of Client & Stakeholder Relations

Upcoming Webinar - Meet Our Experts
Meet the representatives of Sannam S4 in this webinar on the following date to discuss how we can help you Explore, Enter and Expand your business in the new markets:
The Indian Government continues to push for a target date of April 1st, 2017 for the roll out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) country-wide. In this webinar we will share some of the recent updates from Government GST council meetings on rates and registrations - which is an important next step for foreign organizations doing business in India.

For deeper understanding on how GST tax rates and compliance will impact your business in India and how foreign organizations needs to be ready for the new law, join our experts, discussing the following:
  • What is tax rate structure proposed under GST?
  • How can a registration under GST be obtained?
  • What do I need to do next?
  • How do I do assess impact once GST is effective from April 1st, 2017?
  • How do we ensure that all steps are taken during the transition phase to smoothly integrate GST with current systems?
Click here to register for the webinar.
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Sannam S4 Education Division
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Sannam S4 Education Division supports over forty international educational clients from 7 countries. Our Education Research and Partnership Services (ERPS) Department works closely with institutional stakeholders and creates smooth and successful road maps for those wanting to Explore, Enter and Expand in India, Brazil, China, Malaysia and the UAE.
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