Top 12 Trending International Education News July 2 , 2020

MSM REPORTER EXCLUSIVE | The Reimagined University Amid Covid-19: An Interview With Marguerite J. Dennis In this exclusive interview, MSM Reporter talks with international education recruitment and retention veteran Marguerite J. Dennis about her pioneering research on the “reimagined university” and how it can be a key for colleges and universities that seek to rise above the current global pandemic. Dennis points to existing strategic plans for higher education institutions (HEIs) as already archaic. It’s high time for HEIs to “listen to the customer” and prepare well ahead of the upcoming fall and spring terms. In the “reimagined university,” a Chief Innovation Officer, traditionally found in the corporate world, takes charge of thinking out of the box and the HEI’s vision planning committee tasked to look for new trends that can translate to market value and post-coronavirus growth and survival. She also answers the tough questions, such as who will likely emerge as the biggest losers post-pandemic. Read More

U.S. Universities Reach Out To Intl Students Amid Visa Restrictions As the Trump administration passes an executive order that suspends new visas for international workers and students, universities reach out to their students to allay related fears. Carnegie Mellon University, an institution with a large population of international students, ensures commitment to their international students, alumni, faculty, and staff and works with state, federal, and local leaders and higher education experts. The university is yet to announce any specific plans or solutions. Meanwhile, the University of Pittsburgh reiterates to its students that the executive order does not affect scholars, students, researchers, or professors. It has assured continuing work with the industry to advocate fairness and humanity in the United States immigration system. Trib LIVE

Students’ Union In Canadian Uni Creates Hardship Fund For Intl Students The Students’ Union of The University of Ottawa has created a COVID-19 Hardship Fund to help students in dire need of financial support. The fund helps alleviate the strain on international students who are ineligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB). Students who apply for the CHF can receive up to $1,000 (US $737) in financial support. However, most students receive between $250 ($184) to $500 ($368). The current budget for the fund is $105,000 ($77,320) and comes from the surplus of funds from the fiscal year 2019-20 as well as donations. The Fulcrum

Study: NZ, AU, Canada Eyed To Replace US, UK As Intl Ed Destinations Universities in the United States and in the United Kingdom are losing their places as top choices for international students partly due to their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an analysis of professional services firm Ernst and Young, international students are looking for alternatives to the US and the United Kingdom in the form of countries such as New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. Canada is expected to garner an extra six percent share of the worldwide international education market, while Australia and New Zealand are looking to gain two percent and one percent respectively. While an estimated 47 percent drop in international student enrollments will cost UK universities £1.5 billion ($1.8 billion), the UK is expected to weather the storm as more Indian students are interested in studying there now compared to last year. This development comes as the UK government updates its post-study work policies. Consultancy UK

Indian Students On Course For UK Universities Despite Lockdown Disruption More Indian students express desires to study in the United Kingdom as applications from India rise by 32.9 percent in 2020. Despite the uncertainty brought about by the coronavirus lockdowns all over the globe, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has found a spike in university applications this year, with most applicants taking offers to start their courses in late September. According to UCAS Chief Executive Clare Marchant, more students are eager to take the life-changing opportunities of studying in the UK. Livemint

NZ International Students Hardship Fund Fully Paid Out Through a fund from Education New Zealand, about 11,000 international students will be assisted through their financial hardships with cash grants, food parcels, and accommodation support. The fund has been disseminated by multiple education providers and community organizations to perpetuate the value of hospitality toward visitors within the country. Meanwhile, a separate fund worth NZ $37.6 million ($24.1 million) is set to open for applications on July 1 to be administered by the Department of Internal Affairs. With overall financial support still limited, students who are unlikely to adequately support themselves in the country are advised to return home as soon as possible. The Indian Newslink

Western AU Universities Fear Chinese Students Might Never Return Months after the revealed extent of financial dependence Australia has on Chinese students, government officials continue to argue whether to keep borders closed to China. According to an expert, the presence of Chinese and Indian students alone has added AU $791 million ($545 million) to Western Australia, translating to the creation of one job for a local resident for every three international students in the state. With 75 percent of international enrollments involving them, education agents are the stakeholders who have received the most substantial payment per student, amounting to 10 to 15 percent of first year tuition. WAtoday

UK University Asks Intl Students To Vacate On-Campus Accommodation Halls Despite travel restrictions for international students, Scotland's University of Stirling has requested they vacate on-campus accommodation halls by July 22, the Stirling Student's Tenants Union has revealed. If students fail to empty their rooms by July 12, the university claims that they will dispose of belongings that have been left behind. Amid students’ struggle with the costs of transferring living spaces, the notice is prompted by the expected arrival of students for the fall semester, echoing the recent sentiments of some of the UK's international students regarding the lack of support from governments and their institutions of study. Brig News

Undergraduate Acceptances Increase 14% For 2020-21 Despite the impact of COVID-19 globally, Queen’s University in Canada is on track to meet its target for the school year 2020-21. Queen’s has received 46,000 applications for 4,700 first-year undergraduate spots and met its target number by June 1. Overall acceptances have climbed by 14 percent. However, the acceptance rate for international students is down 13 percent compared to last year. The university attributes the drop to the pandemic as many international students cannot travel abroad as of yet. Despite this, the university is hopeful that numbers will rise during the summer intake as restrictions loosen. The Queen's Journal

Brexit: EU Students Will Be Charged More To Study At UK Universities Following Brexit, students from the European Union face higher fees to pay should they wish to study in Britain. According to Universities Minister Michelle Donelan, EU students are no longer eligible for the Student Finance England financial support for undergraduate, postgraduate and advanced learners as well as home fee status. This comes as no surprise to the director of the think tank Higher Education Policy Institute, Nick Hillman, who stresses that these price increases and lack of access to loans will risk a 60 percent decline in the number of EU students studying in the UK. Euronews

International Students In Canada Decry Tuition Hike During Pandemic International students at Lakehead University say that tuition increases have added to the challenge of staying in their programs without available employment opportunities. Though tuition increases have been a norm throughout the years, students claim that it is inappropriate to implement during the pandemic, especially as domestic students saw a 10 percent decrease this year and none in AY 2020-21. According to the university provost, the fee increase has been decided on before the pandemic, and a relief fund worth more than CA $100,000 ($73,000) has been made available to assist some international students with housing and food security. Tbnewswatch

ACT Unis Still Waiting For Approval For International Students  Universities in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are still waiting for federal government approval on the planned charter flights for 350 hand-picked international students in the next couple of weeks. Though the flights have been announced almost three weeks ago, the selected students have yet to be named despite the efforts of universities to determine students who are interested in participating. Once approved, the charter flights will lead students to a two-week quarantine in hotels in Canberra where they will also be tested for the coronavirus. The strengthened quarantine rules are expected to provide the local community with “even greater confidence.” The Canberra Times

Meals Support International Students During COVID-19 International students at Griffith University have been left jobless by the pandemic. Unfortunately, they are unable to gain access to government financial support and have been forced to rely on their dwindling savings to survive. To remedy this, a local consortium has begun to supply international students with frozen meals, groceries, and extra funding to help support them during these trying times. The consortium is able to provide these students an average of 5 meals a week. This scheme has been extended until August 7. Griffith News

Featured Institution: Transport and Telecommunication Institute Located in Riga, the capital of Latvia, the Transport and Telecommunication Institute is the largest technical university in the city. Originally an institute focused on aviation, TSI has grown to provide programs in computer science, transport and logistics, electronics and robotics, and business management. TSI is committed to conducting diverse research and scientific work, making it the only private university included in Latvia’s list of leading scientific institutions. TSI is proud to have a thriving international community with students from Ukraine, Turkey, Russia, India, Egypt, Spain, and other countries across Europe. Transport and Telecommunication Institute

Featured Program:  Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Child and Family Studies in Nipissing University This program prepares students to work in mental health services, child developmental services, education, government, or child welfare. In this course, students will learn about human development and behavior analysis, among others, for a multidisciplinary approach to the study of children and families. It produces competent graduates who are knowledgeable about the social impacts that affect children and adults, equipping them with tools necessary for social justice and service to the community. Nipissing University is a primarily undergraduate university in Ontario, Canada, with a reputation for excellence and a high-quality academic environment. Nipissing University

International Education Conferences & Workshops

THE Virtual World Academic Summit The power of place September 1-2, 2020, Online The PIEoneer Awards 2020 New date TBA, online The PIE Live Inspiring thought leaders in international education September 10, 2020, Online 2nd World Conference on Future of Education September 11-13, 2020 in Brussels, Belgium The 3rd International Conference on the Future of Education 2020 October 29-30, 2020 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  The 12th Asian Conference on Education (ACE2020) October 30-November 2, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan CBIE 2020 Conference November 15-18, 2020 in Ontario, Canada THE Asia Universities Summit Crossing boundaries, unlocking creativity May 21 to June 3, 2021 in Nagoya, Japan EAIE Conference and Exhibition September 13-16, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain

Connect With Us! Submit Your C omments, 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.