Higher Edge: Institutions: Publications: Not-So-Foreign©, Volume 7, Issue 23

Not-So-Foreign^©
A Bulletin for International Education Professionals
Volume 7, Issue 23; June 11, 2008

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

1) THE PLAYING FIELD – More international students choose Swedish universities
2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - EU Launches Centralized Student Recruitment Website
3) OVER THE COUNTER - Vetting Foreign Universities in Dubai
4) GLOBE TIPPING – Online maps

1) THE PLAYING FIELD –More international students choose Swedish

For the first time ever, the number of international students registered at Swedish universities and colleges in the most recent academic year topped the number of Swedes studying abroad. The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (Högskolverket) sees the trend as a problem. "International experience is part of the competence needed for the labour market into which students will enter. It is ever more global and [studying abroad] is an experience people will come to miss," said University Chancellor Anders Flodström, who heads the agency. Foreign students applying to Swedish universities have increased steadily over the last several decades. But in recent years, fewer Swedes have applied to study abroad.

In addition to students losing out on valuable contacts and experience in a more globalized economy, Flodström sees a tricky balancing act is needed. Compared with students from other countries, Swedes more often choose to complete their entire education abroad. For those who do study abroad Flodström says "I can imagine that this may lead to the labour market losing accomplished Swedes who decide to stay overseas when they begin their careers. It's a sort of brain-drain," he said.

Source: "More international students choose Swedish universities,"
The Local, May 26, 2008

2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - EU Launches Centralized Student Recruitment Website

The European Commission's Directorate-General has launched a centralized website for promoting study opportunities at institutions of higher education across 32 European countries. The 'Study in Europe' website will educate internationally mobile students about the range of courses on offer at European higher education institutions; the admission procedures; the costs involved; the availability of scholarships; the services provided; and the higher education environment in Europe.

Source: “Study in Europe.”

3) OVER THE COUNTER - Vetting Foreign Universities in Dubai

With an increase in the number of foreign educational institutions in the emirate's free education zone, Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority has created the University Quality Assurance International Board (UQAIB). In March the international committee, composed of academics from around the world, was given the mandate to monitor academic standards at Dubai-based foreign branch campuses by ensuring that they meet the standards of the parent university in its domestic setting.

The committee will also review the applications of those institutions looking to establish themselves in Dubai by making sure there is a standard equivalence between academic programs at home and branch campuses overseas.

Source: “Quality board ends first visit to Dubai,”
Ame Info, March 29, 2008

4) GLOBE TIPPING – Online maps

When visiting a country one is not familiar with, www.mapquest.com is a useful mapping resource to consult. MapQuest provides detailed turn-by-turn directions that will help you find your way. Google Earth has also revolutionized maps by letting one zoom in and take a closer look at a location and see exactly where one is going and prominent landmarks to look out for. This online mapping tool makes any first-time visitor better prepared to find more obscure locations.

www.mapquest.com
http://earth.google.com/