Higher Edge: Institutions: Publications: Not-So-Foreign©, Volume 7, Issue 34

Not-So-Foreign^©
A Bulletin for International Education Professionals
Volume 7, Issue 34; October 15, 2008

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

1) THE PLAYING FIELD – Overseas students in Australia find their degrees relevant
2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - Project to open up universities in East Africa
3) OVER THE COUNTER - Dubai International Academic City unveils criteria for partner universities
4) GLOBE TIPPING – Calling Cards

1) THE PLAYING FIELD – Overseas students in Australia find their degrees relevant

A new IDP survey has revealed that almost 80 per cent of overseas students find their degrees relevant to the Australian industry they work in. This includes “key shills shortage” areas of information technology, finance and accounting, education, health, engineering and technology.

The study, based on a survey of 1940 students in Australian Technology Network universities, reflected more favourable job outcomes for overseas students than previously thought. According to IDP research head Melissa Banks, although the research showed positive outcomes for graduates in Australia, it suggested that more needed to be done to ease the transition from international student to Australian graduate and Australian worker. "Australia has world's best practice on international education," she said. "We have the best recruiting strategies and ethics, excellent quality assurance, excellent data and reporting, and now we have the opportunity for ensuring Australia's future labour market demands are met by better mediating the transition from overseas student to Australian worker."

Source: “Overseas students find their degrees relevant,”
Australian IT, October 1, 2008

2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - Project to open up universities in East Africa

A new initiative, that aims to harmonize university education in East Africa, has been launched. The idea was mooted by Kenya's Commission of Higher Education, Uganda's National Council of Higher Education and Tanzania's Commission for Universities. According to Commission for Higher Education Secretary Everett Standa, the move would allow students to transfer credits between private and public universities in the region. A draft curriculum for selected programs in agriculture, engineering, medicine and basic sciences has been completed. Students studying these subjects would be able to transfer between universities in the region, starting from December.

Source: “Project to open up universities in East Africa,”
The Standard, October 10, 2008

3) OVER THE COUNTER - Dubai International Academic City unveils criteria for partner universities

Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), the region's centre for international higher education, has revealed its criteria for international universities wanting to set up shop. DIAC's academic committee will review applications and assess each submission based on various factors including an academic plan's ability to strategically add value to DIAC's overall programme offering, while meeting the demand of students and industry sectors across the region for specialised courses of study. The academic and research standing of the university, quality of the faculty and administrative staff of the campus that will be based at the DIAC complex, as well as the financial status of the institution will also come under the committee's scrutiny. Among last year's successful applicants were Hult International Business School, Murdoch University International Study Centre Dubai and, Michigan State University-Dubai.

Source: "Dubai International Academic City Unveils Criteria for Accepting Partner Universities," Dubai Holding, August 2, 2008

4) GLOBE TIPPING – Calling Cards

Calling cards can be an inexpensive way to keep in touch when on the road. According to a website that offers calling card tips, www.internationalCallingCard.com, the number one tip to remember when buying a phone card is "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!" They advise users to be cautious of providers who offer extremely low rates to anywhere in the world. Those planning on using calling cards should also take note of the billing increments; 3 or 5 minute billing should be avoided, while per second or per minute billing is recommended.

http://www.internationalcallingcard.com