Cheaper but professional education system in India

Many Indian students want to study abroad, paying through their nose in the process. At the same time, students from across the world are filling university seats here for “cheap, professional and internationally ranked” Indian education.On an average, about 3,500 students visit India on educational programmes from over 70 countries every year, courtesy the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).................. “It is even more advanced here and easily accessible to outsiders. If we study over here, we get better job opportunities back home or anywhere in the world.”…………. “Every student in Afghanistan prepares to come to India. In fact, most of the students don’t want to work in their own countries; they want to study abroad and serve as a UN member and studying here makes it easier for them,”………….(view Full Article)

Increasing rate of Malaysian students in USA

The number of Malaysian students in the United States rose to 5,428 from 5,281 in the last academic, reversing a 10-year decline, the US Institute of International Education said here Monday.Malaysia ranks number 22 in the list of foreign students making up 0.9 per cent of total foreign students in the US.Malaysian students in the US are mainly made up of 61.9 per cent undergraduate students and 25.2 per cent graduate students.The report says the number of internationals students at colleges and universities in the US increased by 7 per cent to a record high of 623,805 in the 2007/08 academic year. [ View full Article]

Malaysian Students In The US On The Rise

…….. The number of Malaysian students in the United States rose to 5,428 from 5,281 in the last academic, reversing a 10-year decline, the US Institute of International Education said here Monday.Malaysia ranks number 22 in the list of foreign students making up 0.9 per cent of total foreign students in the US.Malaysian students in the US are mainly made up of 61.9 per cent undergraduate students and 25.2 per cent graduate students.In the meantime, the number of American students heading to Malaysia to study has also risen from 108 students in the 2005/06 academic year to 121 in 2006/2007.…………..[View full Article]

Indian students number highest on US campuses

NEW YORK: India has, for yet another year, emerged as the leading place of origin for international students in the United States with 94,563 enrolling into campuses across the nation in 2007/08. The double-digit increase at 13% from the previous year, is followed by China in second place with 81,127 students (up 20%), South Korea in third place with 69,124 students (up 11%), and Japan in fourth place with 33,974 students (down 4%). The number of international students at colleges and universities in the United States increased by 7% to a record high of 623,805 in the 2007/08 academic year, ………………Open Doors data show an even stronger increase in the number of "new" international students, those enrolled for the first time at a U.S. college or university in fall 2007. International students contribute over $15.5 billion to the US economy, through their expenditures on tuition and living expenses. …………………………..Open Doors 2008 reports that 62% of all international students receive the majority of their funds from personal and family sources. When other sources of foreign funding are included, such as assistance from their home country governments or universities, 67% of all international students' primary funding comes from sources outside of the United States. …………………..The majority of Indian students study at the graduate level. ………….Business & Management remains the most popular field of study for international students in the United States, increasing 7% and comprising 20% percent of the total, followed by Engineering with an 8% increase and comprising 17% of the total. Agriculture is the field of study showing the largest percentage increase (from a smaller base number), up 20% from the prior year. Also continuing to increase is Intensive English, showing a gain of 15%. …………….[ view full Article]

India's wealthy students opt to study in Britain

Wealthy Indian students who fail to get into elite universities at home see the UK as an "easy alternative", a British Council report says.The study, published this week, says that, as a result of exceptionally stiff competition for places at Indian universities, well-off students are looking overseas to avoid middle-of-the-road institutions at home.It says: "For Indian students who have wealthy parents - and ... rapid economic growth means that there are an increasing number of these - but who lack either the talent or the ambition to obtain admission to a top Indian university, attending a good university abroad is far preferable to attending a mediocre university at home."It adds that one of the factors attracting them to the UK is the "relative ease of entry criteria into the top universities" .………..In the case of India, it predicts continued growth in students travelling to the UK. Indian students are the second-largest group from overseas at universities in the UK.……….Unlike China, where the number of 15-19-year-olds peaked in 2007 and is now in decline, the number of Indians of student age is expected to grow by 8 per cent by 2015. [view full Article]

Better edu opportunities in US attracting students: Study

CHENNAI: A majority of Indian students going to the United States are attracted by better educational opportunities, primarily in the fields of
engineering, computer science, business and management, physical and life sciences, according to a study by the US Consulate here. A recent count showed that 94,563 Indian students study in US colleges and universities in various disciplines. Since 2001, the trend has shown no sign of abating. However, the number of American students studying in India was small in comparison at just 2,627, the consulate said.It said that many in India are unfamiliar with the American community college system, which at relatively low cost, allows students to complete the first two years of the typical four years of undergraduate study. Many American students in India focus on the study of Indian civilisation -- its languages, literature, history, religions, among others. Colleges and universities in both countries benefit from the presence of international students, who contribute to an intellectual and cultural ferment on campus and in the wider community. The Consulate study also revealed that the trend toward studying abroad has myriad benefits. …………………..[View full Article]

Record numbers of college students studying abroad

Learning at a global level is 2-way street, with record traffic in both directions
If there’s any doubt the world is getting smaller, look what’s happening on college campuses. Not only are more Americans studying abroad than ever before, but there are record numbers of foreign students enrolled at U. S. institutions. …………………….. Students are coming and going for many reasons, educators say. Colleges encourage students to spend time overseas, as the job market becomes more international. Families have had the means to send them. At the same time, a shortage of higher education in some parts of the world has a growing middle class turning to other countries, notably the United States, which is more than happy to take in bright, young scholars. “The great universities in America have reached out to international students for a long time,” said Allan E. Goodman, president of the Institute of International Education, “but what we’re learning is that education is still in really short supply globally.” The number of international students studying in the United States rose last year to an all-time high of 623,805, according to a recent report by the institute. The largest numbers come from India, China, South Korea, Japan and Canada to study business, engineering and the sciences, the most popular programs for foreign students. …………………… [View full Article}]

Weak dollar attracts students to United States,

The falling dollar and economic growth in home countries are favorable for international students. The falling value of the dollar and the improvement of the economy abroad has opened the door for more international students to come to the University of Kansas. The low exchange rate, mixed with China’s economic boom, has given students an opportunity to study abroad and become a Jayhawk. Peter Morgan, Hastings, England, junior, was one student who took advantage of the weak dollar. “Now is the time to study abroad if you want more for your money,” he said.…………………………..While it is easier and less expensive for students around the world to come to the United States, there has been an influx of Chinese students eager to take advantage of the chance to learn in America’s capitalist environment.“The Chinese economy is improving so parents have money now to send their children to school overseas,” McGill said.…………………… [View Full Article]

China climbs ranks of top study abroad spots

China is hoping that American college students watching the Summer Olympics will want to travel there, providing a bump similar to what Australia and Greece enjoyed in 2000 and 2004.
But even before the 2008 Games, China was already on its way as the hot new destination for study abroad. There are almost certainly at least 10,000 U.S. students now enrolled annually in programs in China, up fivefold from a decade ago. China is the seventh most popular destination for U.S. students, according to the Institute of International Education. But it's growing so quickly that, if trends continue, it will soon pass countries like Britain, Spain and Italy and become the most popular.…………………While study abroad generally is growing, China's particular popularity has a range of explanations. It's cheaper than Europe, whose currencies have pummeled the U.S. dollar. There's a supply of American-trained Chinese academics who help bridge the language and culture gap. And China itself has become more welcoming, hoping to emulate how the United States has used its universities to extend its global influence..
They're also looking for a challenge……………Still, like so much associated with rapid growth in China, it's not clear if the current growth rate can continue. Some universities have put the breaks on expansion plans for their Chinese partnerships. There are concerns about quality, and programs admit there's a long list of challenges — lining up local staff, host families, and issues like health care. [View Full Article]

Britain tightens rules for overseas students

International students in Britain failing to attend classes will be reported by their universities and colleges, according to new rules aimed at improving education services offered for foreigners announced Wednesday.………However, the government is keen to root out any abuse of the system and encourage only "genuine students and education providers", the government said.Under the new rules, universities and colleges will be required to take greater responsibility for their international students by………………..Any education provider failing to follow the new rules risks a ban on recruiting international students and bogus colleges will be shut down. Under the rules, students will need to be sponsored by a licensed education institution and obtain an identity card in advance, have a good academic track record and demonstrate they can financially support themselves and any dependants.[View Full Article]

UK to launch new visa system for foreign students

New Delhi (PTI): In a move likely to benefit foreign students, including Indians, the United Kingdom is all set to launch a new visa system to enable them pursue studies in the country without hindrance.
The new visa rule will be applicable under Britain's Point Based System (PBS).
Under the new system, the country will simplify the existing immigration rule for the students and education providers, the British High Commission said in a release here.
The key benefit of the system is that students will be able to work out whether they have sufficient points to qualify before applying for a visa.
"The government is committed to encourage people from overseas to study and train in the United Kingdom. The new system will be more transparent and easily understood," it said. [View Full Article]

Wooing international students

At a time when American, European and Australian universities are elbowing each other to woo international students, Indian varsities have decided to shape up for the fear of being shut out when competition comes calling in the form of foreign campuses.
……..Behind these numbers are amends that institutions have put in place—establishing exclusive departments for international students, setting up fully air-conditioned accommodation equipped with hot plates, dryers and other things out of an American hostel. [View Full Article]

Foreign student quota to expand

China plans to increase the quota for government sponsored overseas students, an official with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) said Monday. The country will offer 20,000 overseas students scholarships in 2010, doubling that of 2007..................Overseas students who are awarded scholarships will be given subsidies covering living and tuition expenses......."China has paid great attention to education, and overseas students are also very important," Liu said. He said these students will help Chinese universities become more international. The country is expected to welcome 500,000 overseas students by 2020, including self-sponsored ones, Liu said. China increased the living subsidy for overseas students by almost 50 percent this year from that of last year....................[View Full Article]

Indian students get 2 yrs work time in UK

Indian students pursuing education in British universities can now work in the UK for two years after completing their courses, instead of one year as allowed earlier.
Starting from Monday, students can seek employment for up to two years under Tier 1 of the Points-Based System (PBS) introduced by the government in early 2008 to replace an earlier scheme, according to official sources.
The students were allowed to stay in the country only for one year after completion of their studies under the previous International Graduate Scheme (IGS).
Indian and other international students will now be able to work in the UK for two years without the need for a sponsor or a work permit, the sources said. [View Full Article]

India's illiterate population equals all the people in USA

India has one of the biggest education systems in the world. On a typical day, roughly 290 million students are attending classes somewhere. That's more than the total population of any country in the world, except China, India and the US. Most of these students are in school — there are over 1.2 million schools ranging from pre-primary to senior secondary. Over 1.1 million students attend colleges and universities. Then there are those learning vocational skills in diverse streams. A vast army of teachers — over 6.3 million of them — guides and nurtures the young, on their way to adulthood.
……. over 380 million people illiterate. That is the largest number of illiterates in any one country, more than the total population of India at the time of Independence and would be the third largest country by population.
…………. The total number of children and youth, in the age group of 6 to 24 years, is about 460 million. This is the age group that should ideally be in the education system. But only about 63% of them are studying. Over 170 million potential students are left in the lurch. [View Full Article]

38% rise in Indian students going to US

CHENNAI/MUMBAI: America continues to grow in stature as the most-favored
destination for Indian students with the last seven months showing a 38% increase in the number of candidates going there.
What's more, Chennai seems to be one of the largest exporters in the country.
Sample this: 38,274 student visas were issued from across the country in fiscal year 2006-07 (October 2006 to September 2007), of which the Chennai consulate gave out 19,973.
Correspondingly, between October 2007 and April 2008, 50,316 student visas were issued from across the country, of which the Chennai consulate alone accounted for 24,975.
With a rising middle class in India able to afford American university programmes and schools actively recruiting them, Indians have become the largest group of international students in the US.
Experts point that the increase in the flow of Indian students could also be reasoned to America now accepting the three-year bachelor degree programme as a valid one for entry to their graduate schools. [View Full Article]

Singapore, Hong Kong favoured destinations for MBA aspirants

While opting to pursue management studies continues to be a popular trend among Indian students, the destinations where one can acquire a management degree are, thankfully, multiplying by the day.

Today, besides the much-sought-after B-Schools in the US and the UK, countries such as Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong too, are becoming favoured destinations for aspiring management graduates, with an increasing number of reputed institutes setting up their campuses in these countries.
……. "In 2007, there were over 86,000 students of 120 nationalities in Singapore, an increase of 7.5 per cent over the preceding year. India today, contributes the fourth largest number of international students in Singapore." [View Full Article]

Canada relaxes work permit rules

For students aspiring to take up post graduate studies at Canada and getting a work permit subsequently, there is good news. International students will now be able to obtain an open work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Programme, with no restrictions on the type of employment and no requirement for a job offer.
The duration of the work permit has also been extended to three years across the country. Earlier, the programme allowed international students to work either for a year or for two years, depending on location. The move comes as major incentive for Indian students, especially those who have started looking beyond the UK, US and Australia for education.………….."The increased flexibility offered by the expanded programme will benefit graduates and employers. It will help international students get important work experience while responding to Canada's labour market needs," said the spokesperson. [View Full Article]

More Indian students at U.S. colleges

…….. With a rising middle class back home better able to finance American university degrees and schools actively recruiting them, Indians have become the largest group of international students in the United States. Students from India numbered more than 83,000 last year and have doubled their presence at U.S. campuses in the last decade. The increased enrollment from India reflects a shortage of space in graduate programs in India, as well as the relaxation of some of the strict procedures to obtain a student visa imposed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Indians enroll at U.S. schools for the expected rewards. [View Full Article]

‘Canada must attract India’s Student Class’

Canada has become an increasingly popular destination for foreign students, particularly due to changes to work permits for international students studying at a Canadian institution. But some countries are feeling ignored. It is estimated that that over 60 000 international students came to Canada last year and this year these numbers are set to grow. Despite this it seems that the Canadian government have not yet tapped into the highly sought after Indian market. India is a great source of skilled immigration, especially in Canada, but the number of Indians coming to Canada to study is still low. Indian High Commissioner RL Narayan, in a speech arranged by the Canada-India Business Council, said that student visas should be fast tracked, in order for Canadian institutions to attract Indians. Yes Canada aims to attract as many bright and talented students as possible in order for them to gain skilled labor but, according to Narayan, it is the Indian young talent that should be focused upon. [View Full Article]

German universities struggle to keep foreign students

…….German universities have drawn some of the 20th century's greatest minds but efforts to woo a new generation of international scholars are faltering because foreign students find it difficult to integrate. A new report from the Education Ministry ranks Germany third on the list of top destinations for students studying outside of their home country -- only the United States and Britain have more foreign students. But Germany is struggling to keep this ranking. After growing rapidly since 1997, the number of foreign students -- Chinese form the biggest group -- has barely budged since 2003.……..only half of those enrolled in the country's institutions of higher learning successfully complete their degree programmes."German students aren't hostile to foreigners - but they don't feel the need to approach foreigners and offer help,"………Nearly 190,000 foreign students studied in Germany in 2006, according to the ministry report. By comparison, the United States was the destination of choice for over 590,000 foreign students in 2005, while 318,000 went to Britain in the same year.
The largest contingent in Germany by far come from China, which sent over 26,000 students in 2006.……….Culture shock and a failure to acclimatise to German academic life are two key reasons so many foreign students leave before completing their degrees.……..German academic culture, which gives students a great deal of independence and relatively minimal supervision, also poses a challenge for foreign students who are used to structured curricula. [ View Full Article]

Foreign students face higher costs to attend American universities

The rate of foreign applications to American universities has increased over the last decade, but this may slow as the U.S Department of Homeland Security plans to double the fees that international students must pay in order to study here.The fees help offset the costs of federal surveillance that monitors student activities.This could have a negative effect not only on major colleges and universities with a large contingent of foreign students, but also on smaller institutions that rely on full tuition-paying students from abroad to help offset costs and subsidize scholarships for American students. The increase in fees to as much as $200 is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1. Nationally, after seeing a 12 percent growth in 2006, the number of applications from abroad dropped to just 3 percent this year. Admissions officials were startled to see no growth in the number of applications from India in 2007, the country that has traditionally sent the largest number of students. China follows India in sending the most students to the U.S. each year. …………..An increase in fees could have a negative impact on enrollment at such small universities, many of them having spent years establishing close ties to China and other foreign countries. The contributions these universities make to American culture and education often go unnoticed. [View Full Article]

Growth in Foreign Student Applications to U.S. Graduate Schools Slowing

……The growth rate of foreign applications to American graduate schools has slowed substantially amid increased international competition to attract students seeking advanced degrees, according to a recent survey by the Council of Graduate Schools. The council, composed of 500 member institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada, found that the number of applications for admission to CGS-member graduate schools increased by just 3 percent this year, compared to a 9-percent increase in 2007and a 12-percent increase in 2006. As universities in Australia, Britain, France, and Germany have bolstered their marketing and financial aid programs, the ability of American graduate schools to better attract international students is faltering, researchers found. ………..With students from China, India, and Korea accounting for about half of all non-U.S. citizens attending American graduate schools, the slowing influx from these countries in particular could create a significant void at American institutions. As all three Asian countries continue to expand their own postsecondary and postgraduate educational opportunities, their students may find even less need to come to the United States for their graduate studies: [View Full Article]

New Visa Fees Would Send the Wrong Signal

Almost all of us can remember America’s reaction to 9/11. In the days following the horrendous event many defensive initiatives were taken and, since two of the perpetrators were foreign students, one reaction was to restrict access to America’s colleges and universities. Barriers were imposed overseas, visas became difficult if not impossible to get. Personnel in American embassies were frosty, if not outright rude, to inquiries from those interested in enrolling as undergraduate or graduate students. …………. our ambassador he acknowledged the unusual circumstances and the problems they were causing both for his staff and Chinese nationals. …………. The U.S. authorities stood firm. Students who had contemplated studying in the U.S. redirected themselves to schools in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and other more welcoming English speaking countries. …………… It was important that persons from other countries studying in the U.S. come to know our values and return home able to make the case for America; …………………..China and India have been sending students to our shores with renewed vigor. Conservative U.S. visa practices seem to have become more flexible. ……………..the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is considering doubling the fee that international students were going to be required to pay when they applied for visas. The numbers aren’t consequential in the larger scheme of things, going from $100 to $200. [View Full Article]

Growth in Foreign Student Applications to U.S. Graduate Schools Slowing

……. The growth rate of foreign applications to American graduate schools has slowed substantially amid increased international competition to attract students seeking advanced degrees, according to a recent survey by the Council of Graduate Schools. The council, composed of 500 member institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada, found that the number of applications for admission to CGS-member graduate schools increased by just 3 percent this year, compared to a 9-percent increase in 2007and a 12-percent increase in 2006. As universities in Australia, Britain, France, and Germany have bolstered their marketing and financial aid programs, the ability of American graduate schools to better attract international students is faltering, researchers found. ……..Applications to U.S. graduate schools from students in India, which had increased by 12 percent in 2007 and by 26 percent in 2006, were flat in 2008, as were applications from students in Korea. Applications from students in China increased 12 percent in 2008, down from an increase of 19 percent in 2007. [View Full Article]

Indian students to get right to work in Australia

There is good news for thousands of Indians studying in Australia as changes to the visa system, coming into effect on Saturday, will give them automatic right to work in the country. The Australian government has made changes to its visa system so that Indian citizens studying in Australia will automatically become eligible to work part time during their courses.……. all student visas will be granted with work rights attached, removing the need for people to make a separate application."………….A total of 34,146 student visas were granted to Indian citizens in the year ending June 2007. Overall 228,592 students from 191 countries got visas during the same period. Today, India is the second largest source of overseas students and a significant contributor to Australia's international education market……… [View Full Article]

Bid to attract foreign students gears up

The country is pushing ahead in its efforts to become a leading destination for international students, riding on the wave of a growing number of foreigners coming to study in recent years.
This year alone, the authorities will increase the amount of scholarships for foreign students - a group that grows by 3,000 people every year - to attract more of those coming for advanced degrees and study, ……….The government has earmarked 500 million yuan ($71 million) for the scholarships this year, up 40 percent from that of last year. The grants will provide each student free education and accommodation, plus a monthly bonus of 800 to 1,400 yuan, the ministry said.The move comes on the back of a rising number of foreigners educated in the country.…………….The number of foreign students studying in China reached a record of more than 195,000 last year, up 20 percent year on year,…….."With a good social environment, fast economic development and rising international stature, China has become more and more attractive to foreign students in recent years,…………China has also signed mutual diploma recognition contracts with 32 countries including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, New Zealand, Austria and Russia. Students came to China attracted by its unique culture and low cost of living and tuition....... [View Full Article]

Virtual classrooms making India a knowledge economy

Though Indian education system drastically lags behind the developed countries, but it is taking on a whole new dimension. Virtual classrooms, introduced in India, though are not popular, but in the recent years will surely gain popularity.

PRESENT EDUCATION system in India is quite perturbing. As compared to 1.8 million schools in China, India has only 1.2 million and against 900 universities in China and 3600 in USA, India has only 362 universities. Further about 26 million people are added every year to the existing education system, making it a cumbersome task to provide quality education. Globalisation is demanding more knowledge outsourcing from India, but the already existing rift between supply and demand of quality educators is also widening. Then rises the concerning question of bringing equilibrium. …………. “Virtual classroom is the answer to the shortage of quality education providers, not just within India but also abroad. There is a huge demand of Indian teachers worldwide. Indian students travel miles, to developed nations, to their pursue higher education, but with new age technology and knowledge sharing platforms India is observing a reverse trend. [View Full Article]

Locals not taking up Indian study offers

MALAYSIANS are not taking up the Indian Government and universities' offer of scholarships and other educational exchange opportunities to study in India.
“Existing educational opportunities, through scholarships, are not being optimally utilised by Malaysian students,” said Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha.………….Those nominated under the program are provided with return airfare, accommodation, full board, training fees and monthly allowance in India.[View Full Article]

US Visa rules altered; Techies can stay longer

New Delhi: Just a few weeks after Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates’ testimony to the House of Representatives, the US government has extended the time foreign graduates can stay and work after graduation from 12 to 29 months. This means that a graduating student now gets a longer stay in the US without a worker visa, typically an H1-B. The decision also extends the period of stay and work authorization for all F-1 students with pending H-1B petitions, and allows students to apply for OPT within 60 days of graduation.……………In a press release, The US Department of Homeland Security said it had issued an interim final rule extending the period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) from 12 to 29 months for qualified F-1 non-immigrant students. The extension will be available to students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics employed by businesses enrolled in the E-Verify program.……………The decision also extends the period of stay and work authorization for all F-1 students with pending H-1B petitions, and allows students to apply for OPT within 60 days of graduation.The yearly cap on H-1B visas is 65,000. [View Full Article]

Young Indians turning to France

There seems to be a change in the mindset of young Indians about Europe. More and more students and highly skilled immigrants are looking at non-English speaking countries such as France as a destination for higher study and work. Of course, in terms of sheer numbers America, Australia, UK and Canada still attract the largest number of Indians, however, France is working hard at increasing the number of Indian students studying there. Besides, certain reforms such as making work permits easier for Indian students who finish courses in France are also being introduced. ……….. With India playing an important role amidst growing globalization, we are very keen on many more young people from here going to France to study and being exposed to the French culture and way of life. Besides, French multinational companies are also keen on hiring larger numbers of highly skilled Indian workers for their global operations. ……….He adds that the French government is making some immigration policy reforms that will allow foreign students to remain in France for some months after they finish their studies to look for jobs. [View Full Article]

US sneezes, India catches a cold

…………India has started feeling the pinch at the earliest signs of a recession in the US economy. Look at some of the recent headlines. “IT firms put off campus recruitments “, `Techies get pink slips’, `Indian students in US left in the lurch’, `US firms put a freeze on recruitments’. Well, the emerging scenario is spreading panic among those employed and aspiring for jobs in the IT/ITES sectors.………..The students who were offered campus placements last year are made to cool their heels. Indian students pursuing higher students in the US are in an equally sad predicament. After doing their MS and PhD, most students are unable to find a job in the US and are forced to return to India……..The risk of a full scale recession in the US is rising and India cannot remain immune to its impact. Indian economy went through a rough patch in 2000 when US saw one of its biggest recessions, leading to the infamous dot.com bust in India. [View Full Article]

Number of undergraduates predicted to decrease

Demographic changes in the UK will result in a decrease in the number of undergraduates in the UK student population over the next ten years, it has been predicted. The study from Universities UK forecast a moderate fall in the number of 18 to 20-year-olds between now and 2019, with this decrease being equal to 70,000 full-time graduates over the next decade.……….universities are in an excellent position to prepare for such fluctuations, but it is crucial that future government policy takes these demographic projections into account.'
………. it is important that the UK remains an attractive destination for international students and must continue to improve the rate of 16-year-olds staying on in education.
[View Full Article]

More students set to study overseas

STATE school students will be able to live and study overseas for up to six months under a multimillion-dollar pilot program to be launched today.
The $400,000 Overseas Study Program, to be announced by Education Minister Bronwyn Pike as part of International Education Week, will allow more than 80 students from Victorian government schools to study overseas this year.
Destinations include the United States, Malaysia, China, Japan and Germany, with students to be away for between two weeks and six months.[view Full Article]

Colleges institute overseas programs

Universities around the United States are becoming a major export. Many schools are taking their programs overseas, where the American system of higher education has long been the envy of other countries' higher education systems.
American universities are competing to set up outposts in countries with limited higher-educational opportunities. These schools are starting or expanding hundreds of programs and partnerships in booming markets, such as China, India and Singapore.
Overseas programs can help American universities raise their profile, build international relationships, attract top research talent - who may attract grants and produce patents - and gain access to a new pool of tuition-paying students………….
"Where universities are heading now is toward becoming global universities," [View Full Article]

More U.S. Universities Set Up Campuses Abroad

More American universities are setting up campuses abroad, reports The New York Times. American universities, as well as Australian and British ones, are starting or expanding programs in China, India and Singapore. Many are now considering full foreign branch campuses, particularly in the Middle East. Students in the Persian Gulf state of Qatar can attend an American university without the expense, culture-shock or post-9/11 via problems of traveling to America. ………..
Overseas programs can help American universities raise their profile, build international relationships, attract top research talent, and gain access to a new pool of tuition-paying students, just as the number of college-age American students is about to decline. The demand from overseas is large, officials say. …………………Most overseas campuses offer programs in business, science, engineering and computers. There is also much demand for technology schools. [View Full Article]

Indian Students in OZ Battle With Loneliness and Depression

Students studying abroad experience loneliness that sometimes even 'gets to the point of depression,” according to a new study.
A recent study by Monash University and the University of Melbourne revealed that 67 per cent of female and 62 per cent of male international students experience 'periods of loneliness and isolation' while studying in Australia.
The survey involving 200 students at nine universities across the country found that foreign students were hesitant to form friendship with domestic students, which contributed to their loneliness.…………. The students from Singapore were the loneliest, with 100 per cent of those interviewed agreeing that they felt isolated and left out. Malaysian students also had high rates of friendlessness and desolation, along with students from Indonesia and China. ………'I just stay in my room ... sometimes I cry and when I cry out, I feel better,' News.com.au quoted a Malaysian student, as saying. [View Full Article]

Britain is becoming the world's most popular destination for overseas students

Despite its food and weather, Britain is beginning to topple America from its position as the most popular place for overseas students to study, according to a survey published today.Prospective students from around the world reckon the UK is safer than the United States, has respected higher education institutions and, amazingly given the complaints about British immigration control, is easier to get a visa to study in, says the survey from the International Graduate Insight Group (i-graduate).……………."Since 9/11 the US has been seen as less safe,……… "If you are from a Muslim country, you will think twice about going to the USA because it is not seen as so welcoming now, whereas the position in Britain hasn't changed. "After the attack on the twin towers in New York, the US publicly tightened its visa policy, making it harder for overseas students to get into the States. [View Full Article]

Schools used as visa scam front

Some UK language schools are being used as bases by people selling false papers enabling immigrants to obtain student visas, the BBC has found. Some are paying up to £600 for fake documents which they use in visa applications to extend their stay in the UK, the Ten O'clock News reported. It filmed people selling documents to immigrants who had indicated they had no intention of studying in the UK. The Home Office plans a more rigorous system of registering colleges. It believes more than half of 83 registered language colleges it inspected recently should be shut down. The Home Office will grant a student visa only if the applicant is studying at a registered school. ……………And in the future it will be made mandatory for colleges to make it compulsory to report students who do not attend classes regularly. ……In one highlighted case, £350 was paid for papers saying an applicant had completed an eight-week course despite her making it clear she had no intention of studying. A man connected with a different center offered to arrange a visa for £300 without the need to attend the school. [View Full Article]

Oxford to target students from India

Lord Chris Patten, Chancellor of Oxford University, will visit India next month as part of a drive to attract brightest students from the country to help university compete with the better-funded US Ivy League colleges."Globalisation doesn't end at the Thames Valley……….."I hope it will be the first of several visits to India and China over the next few years," he said. "I don't think a serious university can do without a properly thought-through strategy for China and India."………… there were about 17,000 Indian students in Britain, compared with nearly 80,000 in the US.He said, "we have to fight very hard to keep our position in the world league table to stay up there with Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and MIT." [View Full Article]

Universities see sharp rise in foreign students

The number of foreign undergraduate students at British universities has leapt by 8 per cent to almost 50,000, boosted by double-digit increases from China and new EU member countries. The rise - the fastest since 2003 - testifies to the continuing international appeal of British higher education. Four of the world's top 10 universities are British, according to the latest Times Higher Education Supplement survey, including Imperial College London and University College London, where at least a third of the undergraduates are foreign.
The popularity of British higher education abroad also boosts UK private schools, some of which have high numbers of Chinese and German students in particular - anxious to earn A-Levels that prepare them for entry to the best universities.…………………"UK degrees are recognised around the world as being high-quality and lead to excellent employment opportunities."………..The number of successful candidates from the 12 newer EU countries jumped 30.5 per cent to 7,024. Many are likely to stay in Britain, providing skilled labour.[View Full Article]

Record number of students gain university places

The number of full-time students gaining places at UK universities in 2007 rose to a record 413,430, bouncing back after a decline in the first year of top-up fees.…………….There was a rise of 7.9% in overseas accepted applicants. Norway (17.5%), Malaysia (14.4%), China (12.4%), Sri Lanka (8.6%), Hong Kong (7.9%) and Canada (7.5%) saw the largest rises outside of the EU. Figures for China and Hong Kong are listed separately by Ucas.……………………"Universities have worked hard to ensure that all eligible students are aware of the many strands of financial support available, and that this information is as accessible and easy to understand as possible.
"Furthermore, the international figures show the UK remains one of the leading international destinations for students looking for a quality higher education experience," she added. [View Full Article]

200,000 Chinese Students Predicted to Study Overseas in 2008

The number of Chinese students heading overseas to study is estimated to reach a new record of 200,000 this year, state media reports. Citing official sources, China Daily says that this figure is set to significantly outpace the “average of 130,000 Chinese who have been going abroad for studies every year over the past few years.”
The growing demand for overseas study reflects the increasingly gloomy job situation for graduates in China. While the country is expecting to produce 5.5 million college graduates this year (up from five million in 2007), one-fifth of 2007 college graduates had failed to find a job by the end of the year, according to the Ministry of Education (MOE).…………. "The grim job situation at home, a strong and rising yuan and a favourable visa and scholarship environment will together prompt more students to study abroad.”
[View Full Article]

Destination education

It is a phenomenon that cannot go unnoticed - the market of Indian students heading overseas for further education is opening up fresh avenues for the tourism sector of the respective countries and no one wants to be left behind…………It may be one of those offbeat ways to cash in on tourism, but the governments of many countries are working on renewed strategies to increase their visitor arrivals through the solid presence of Indian students in their region. Although the unfurling of India's prosperity in terms of economic growth has prompted many to return to their home country, the thrill and liberation of studying in a foreign country continues to be enmeshed in the Indian student's psyche. It is true that many have abandoned their dreams of building futures in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia, deeming it far more profitable and enterprising to stay back in India, graduate from an Indian university and build a life and career on this side of the fence. [View Full Article]

How Cambridge wants to lure Indians away from US varsities

LONDON: While the new British universities have benefited from the influx of Indian students, older universities like Cambridge, which has had a long relationship with India, has been losing out to the United States. “We have fewer Indian students coming to us then in the past because our competitors in the USA offer more scholarships and funding, and with their determined efforts to get students more of them are going there instead of coming to us,” ……….lately the name Cambridge is no longer enough, because Indians don’t think of Britain as the first place to go,………. “At undergraduate level we take very few international students, and at postgraduate level we have very high standards, we are a difficult university to get in,…..In order to bring Cambridge back in to the Indian student radar the Vice-Chancellor Professor Alison Richards has planned her first visit to India in January next year. ……….attend the 50th anniversary celebrations ………. to meet the university alumni as well as hold a series of workshops with them and other industrial partners.[View Full Article]

Nepal to Abolish Monarchy

……… Nepal's major political parties have agreed to abolish the world's last Hindu monarchy as part of a deal to bring former Communist rebels back into the government, ……..No timetable has been set for the Communists to rejoin the government.…………..The Communists, who are known as Maoists, ended their decade-long rebellion last year and later joined the country's interim government. ..…………. The move plunged Nepal into a political crisis and threatened its transition to democracy.[View Full Article]

Korean students lured to study in Qingdao

……… "In Korea, everyone knows Confucius, even the little kids. Confucian culture has a deep influence both in China and Korea, …… "There are so many Koreans in Qingdao …… "The rapid development of China's economy makes the relationship between China and South Korea closer. Many Koreans are optimistic about doing business in China," …………The economic cooperation between China and South Korea brings new opportunities to young Koreans. In South Korea, the competition for jobs is fierce. It is not easy to find a good job even for students graduating from Seoul National University. Therefore, many young Koreans are now looking to China for job opportunities,……A growing number of Korean students choose to study in China. Currently, there are many international schools recruiting Korean students in Qingdao, Weihai, Yantai and other cities of Shandong. [View Full Article]