Top 12 Trending International Education News
August 13, 2020
|
|
Experiment With Online Education Will Lead To Permanent Change, Says Harvard Professor
Harvard University’s Vice Provost for International Affairs Mark Elliott says the shift to online learning prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic will result in permanent trends that will reform the higher education system. Speaking at a lecture on the future of higher education, the professor said that though there is a sharp decline in the number of international students and scholars, there will be a rebound stage but with different trends. He added that more people will choose to take part in long-distance education ventures. While methods of instruction will continue to diversify, classrooms or seminars will remain necessary, and research collaborations and conferences will continue through alternative or hybrid forms, smaller-scale symposia, and workshops. Nearly two billion students worldwide are affected by school and university closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
|
Students From Outside Atlantic Bubble Start Arriving On P.E.I.
About 350 students are expected to arrive at Prince Edward Island in Canada, and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison has outlined initial plans to preserve health and safety guidelines. Of those students, the University of PEI expects that 150 will come from outside Canada while 200 will come from outside the Atlantic Canada bubble. Following the approval of an acceptable self-isolation plan, accepted international students are required to quarantine for 14 days in designated hotels under 24-hours supervision, and they will also be tested for COVID-19 on the 10th to 12th day of isolation.
|
|
Welsh Universities Are Going To Charter Planes To Bring Students Here From China
A group of five universities in Wales firm up plans to charter flights to bring in thousands of returning and new international students from China to the major airports in Cardiff or Bristol. Mark Garratt, interim director of marketing, recruitment and international at Swansea University, says the universities are looking at going through a broker to charter the planes, with early discussions with the Chinese airline Hainan currently in place. Safety measures for the chosen international students and adjacent local communities will be prioritized in September. More than 450,000 international students study at universities in Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom, with one third coming from China alone.
|
|
Thousands Of International Students Stranded In France Because Of COVID-19
The pandemic-caused crises have left tens of thousands of African students stranded in France this summer, long after their classes have ended. Many international students have been unable to return to their home countries where a steady rise in active COVID-19 cases are occurring. With unemployment and income loss, many are forced to ration their meals amid high stress, required isolation, and insecurity. Meanwhile, international students who can potentially go back to Algeria are thinking twice about leaving France for fear that they might not be able to return. The European Union recently reinstated travel restrictions for people arriving from Algeria because of increased COVID-19 cases in the country.
|
|
Local Universities Set Grade Bar Higher For NI Students
Following limits instated on EU students who wish to study in a UK institution, students from Northern Ireland now need higher A-level grades to secure a slot compared to students from Great Britain, with several official university websites updating to announce this change. In particular, Queen's University and Ulster University cite the need to boost income or student quality due to the cap on numbers of students from outside Great Britain, whose tuition fees are partially subsidized by the Department of the Economy. The cap, referred to as the Maximum Student Number cap (MaSN), does not include international students outside of the United Kingdom, which gives them an advantage in university matching and admission.
|
|
NZ Student Increase 'Won't Make Up Shortfall' In International Income
Universities in New Zealand warn that an unexpected leap in domestic tertiary enrolments will not be able to make up for the massive drop in international student numbers, should borders not reopen in 2021. Tertiary Education Union President Michael Gilchrist says that universities need roughly three or four domestic students to provide the same income as one international student. David Christiansen, chief executive of the Waikato Institute of Technology, says he does not expect the number of domestic students to grow enough next year to cover an expected 600-student drop in offshore enrolments. The $5 billion international student industry in the country has been facing a massive downturn following the government’s decision to close borders in March.
|
|
Scott Morrison Says It's 'Unlikely' Borders Will Open By Christmas – And The Complete Lifting Of Restrictions Isn't Looking Good Either
Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison predicts that the country’s international borders will not be open before 2021 as they work to contain an outbreak in Victoria. Morrison has also casted doubts on the complete lifting of restrictions anytime soon, citing the current medical situation in Australia. The additional six-week lockdown in Victoria will cost an estimated AU$12 billion (US$8.54 billion) to the national economy. The amount is small compared to the threat posed by the disappearance of international students as international borders remain closed, which can cost a whopping AU$40 billion (US$28.45 billion).
|
|
Chaos Coast To Coast As A School Year Like No Other Launches
Campuses across the United States leave parents and students confused as plans on the upcoming semester continue to change to accomodate pandemic health guidelines. Many institutions with hybrid teaching models are moving fully online as COVID-19 cases surge, leaving students from kindergarten to college learning remotely this fall. According to Great City Schools Executive Director Michael Casserly, “plans are changing right up [to] the moment that schools open.” While teachers in liberal-leaning communities are pushing against reopening campuses this semester, parents of students in more conservative districts are defying orders to wear masks and calling for restrictions to be lifted.
|
|
Lakehead University International Students Speak Out Against Tuition Hikes
International students from Lakehead University call to freeze tuition hikes and increase financial aid to help offshore students negatively affected by the pandemic. International student tuition for many of the university’s programs will increase 5 to 6% this year, with engineering students in particular paying 13% more. Members of the Lakehead University Student Union question the university’s decision to raise fees at a time the pandemic is disrupting service levels. Students also request the extension of payment deadlines and the creation of equal employment opportunities for international students on campus.
|
|
Five Scottish Universities On Covid ‘At Risk’ List
A number of Scottish universities struggle as restrictions continue to prevent students from going to campus. Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Campus, one of the universities in question, relies heavily on fees from offshore students. Students from overseas bring in a total of £6.5 billion (US$8.47 billion), making up more than one third of all tuition fees. Other at-risk universities have a majority of undergraduate students who come from state schools or colleges, or are promoting social ascent and working hand-in-hand with the government on higher education agendas. While universities that rely on international recruitment seem to be the most likely to struggle in the pandemic, Frontier Economics says that even universities with mostly domestic students can face the brunt of the pandemic with more institutions needing to engage a smaller pool of students.
|
|
Education Agents Back NZ As Safe Destination
Eighty-five percent of agents tell international education company Navitas that New Zealand’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic makes the country a more attractive host destination for international students. Moreover, 75% of agents ranked Australia and Canada as the next desirable destination for foreign students, while Singapore followed suit with 60%. The United Kingdom garnered positive votes from 30% of agents, while the United States got 15%. Navitas head of strategic insights and analytics Jonathan Chew says New Zealand has the ability to attract even rich and academically successful students who might normally choose to study in the UK or the US. Leader Investment Group director Jean Hu says that, while families in China and Hong Kong were keen on sending their children to New Zealand to study, the country’s popularity might not last without urgent strategies to intake potential students this year.
|
|
Indian Student Rallies Friends To Raise More Than ¥500,000 For Foodbank Sendai
Chemistry masters student at Tohoku University Trishit Banerjee moved to Sendai, Japan from Mumbai in 2015, and he is currently on a scholarship program that subsidizes his tuition and living expenses. While the Japanese government provides ¥100,000 (US$934) to every resident as part of a COVID-19 economic relief fund, Banerjee had decided to offer his share of the funds to local family-owned restaurants who are struggling more than him during the pandemic. Banerjee and his friend Justin Velgus work together to help Foodbank Sendai raise ¥400,000 (US$3,700) for the organization. In just over two weeks, the two collected ¥502,500 ($4,700) from colleagues, students, and professors for Foodbank Sendai.
|
|
Featured Institution: Nichols College, Massachusetts
Located in Dudley, Massachusetts, Nichols College is a private institution that is well-known for providing business and leadership-oriented education rooted in a liberal arts foundation. With a focus on experiential learning, the college offers plenty of opportunities for students to access a wide range of competitive internships as well as high-impact, hands-on learning experiences embedded in coursework. Nichols offers master’s degrees in business, leadership, and accounting, as well as a range of certificate programs, to promote career advancement for today’s professionals. The institution helps international students get the most from their education through several programs and services that improve their personal and professional growth and support their unique academic needs. Nichols is committed to honing the next leaders of the global economy by developing students’ communication and critical thinking skills and expanding their ethical and cultural perspectives.
|
|
Featured Program: Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology at Mount Saint Vincent University
Canada aims to build a health care system that is capable of meeting the needs of a growing and aging population. Through the Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology program, Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) trains individuals to be experts in advocating for older adults and helping them maintain their quality of life. The program helps students understand aging issues and gain the essential knowledge and clinical skills needed to enhance the health and well-being of the aging population. The program aims to motivate students to develop their interpersonal communication, conflict management, and advocacy skills. Graduates with a degree in gerontology can find diverse career opportunities across many industries that include social work, research, occupational therapy, education, healthcare management, nursing, and administration. Founded in 1873, MSVU is recognized for its small class sizes and personalized approach to learning. It offers undergraduate programs in Arts, Science, Education, and Professional Studies.
|
|
International Education Conferences & Workshops |
|
The power of place
September 1-2, 2020, Online
September 11-13, 2020 in Brussels, Belgium
October 2, 2020, Online
Inspiring thought leaders in international education
October 5-8, 2020, Online
October 29-30, 2020, Online
October 30 to November 2, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan
November 16-20, 2020, Online
Crossing boundaries, unlocking creativity
May 31 to June 3, 2021 in Aichi, Japan
September 13-16, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain
|
|
Connect With Us!
Submit Your Comments, Institution Profile Requests, Service/Program Profile Requests
|
|
M Square Media is a leading worldwide platform supporting the international education sector. Check us out at MSquareMedia.com.
RESEARCH | CONSULTING | GLOBAL OFFICES | TRAINING | BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
The MSM Reporter aims to support the worldwide knowledge base of international educators by sharing the TOP 12 TRENDING international news on a weekly basis. The digest is compiled by our worldwide team across the globe based on publicly available information. Neither the editors nor M Square Media assume liability for comments or information posted by others. The MSM Reporter features one institution and one program or service each week. Please send your comments, news releases or your institutional, program or service feature requests to pr@msquaremedia com
We hope that you have enjoyed the MSM Reporter. If you do not wish to receive future issues of the MSM Reporter, please click on the Unsubscribe link below. This will remove you from the MSM Reporter contact list only.
Disclaimer: The MSM Reporter team works hard to ensure our valued subscribers receive the very best news and information about international education each week. Unfortunately, mistakes can happen in spite of our best efforts. We ask for your patience and understanding when it does as we continue to strive for excellence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
