Higher Edge: Institutions: Publications: Not-So-Foreign©, Volume 7, Issue 2

Not-So-Foreign^©
A Bulletin for International Education Professionals
Volume 7, Issue 2; January 16, 2008

The PDF version of this week's issue can be found here.

1) THE PLAYING FIELD – Japan's universities on the brink
2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - Indian students flock to China
3) OVER THE COUNTER - Foreign students staying on illegally in Britain not to be deported
4) GLOBE TIPPING – Tourist safety in India

1) THE PLAYING FIELD – Japan's universities on the brink

As demand from local students shrinks, several of Japan's 744 universities are focusing on newer methods to attract more foreign students in order to fill places and avert financial crisis. While some universities are offering part-time studies to draw office employees, certain other universities such as Waseda University are offering the majority of lectures in English.

The increasing proportion of Japanese universities offering programs in English is part of a larger trend in the region. In Overseas, Overwhelmed dated February 28, 2007 Higher-Edge had reported on Korean universities that were increasing their program offerings in English in a bid to stop the brain drain. For example, Yonsei University and Korea University are offering more classes in English to prevent students from flocking to British and North American campuses and, attract foreign students of their own.

Source: "Desperately seeking students,"
The Guardian, January 15, 2008

2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - Indian students flock to China

Indian students continue to flock to China to study medicine. Despite a regulation issued by China on July 25, 2007 that reduced the number of Chinese universities which can enrol foreign students and teach medicine in English to 30. (see Overseas, Overwhelmed dated September 19, 2007 ). According to Jasminder Kasturia, first secretary of the Indian Embassy to China, the number of Indian medical students in colleges and universities in China has risen sharply in recent years. There are more than 6,000 Indian students studying in China now, most of who are studying medicine. At the Tianjin Medical University (TMU), more than 400 Indian students are currently studying for a bachelor's degree in medicine.

Source: "Students flocking to China,"
China Daily, January 15, 2008

3) OVER THE COUNTER - Foreign students staying on illegally in Britain not to be deported

Britain's Border and Immigration Agency have been ordered to be lenient towards foreign students who overstay their visas. Under the new regulations, foreign students will not be deported routinely for staying on illegally. Only those students accused of fraud or corruption will be deported. The move has attracted widespread criticism in Britain since media reports have indicated that bogus colleges are being used by "students" as fronts to stay on in the country illegally.

Source: "Student overstayers will not face deportation,"
The Guardian, January 7, 2008

4) GLOBE TIPPING - Tourist safety in India

There have been recent reports of rising crime against tourists in India, specifically female travellers. Business travellers as well as tourists need to take adequate safety measures while travelling throughout India. A new web site, www.saferindia.com promoted by the India Vision Foundation, is both an attempt to strengthen police services throughout the country as well as educate people about getting police help in India.

Source: “Unsafe in India,”
The Times of India, January 15, 2008