Not-So-Foreign©
A Bulletin for International Education Professionals
Volume 7, Issue 7; February 20, 2008
The PDF version of this week's issue can be found here.
1) THE PLAYING FIELD – Rise in overseas university applicants in U.K.
2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - Ghana fast becoming higher education centre
3) OVER THE COUNTER - Hundreds cast out as Australian college closes
4) GLOBE TIPPING – "Adapting" to Conditions Overseas
1) THE PLAYING FIELD – Rise in overseas university applicants in U.K.
Recent figures from British university admissions service, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), have indicated that there has been an increase in numbers of international students applying to U.K. universities this year. The early round applications have seen an increase of 10.7 per cent from students outside the European Union (EU). Significant increases were reported from countries such as Bulgaria, Canada, Norway, Singapore and China.
The top five subject choices remain the same at this point in the year as they did in 2007. Law remains top, pre-clinical medicine climbs from third to second, psychology falls to third and English and management studies swap places to be ranked fourth and fifth respectively. Professor Rick Trainor, president of the umbrella group Universities U.K., said: "The international figures are good news, showing that international students continue to see the U.K. generally as an attractive destination for a quality higher education experience."
Source: "Rise in overseas university applicants,"
Guardian, February 14, 2008
2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - Ghana fast becoming higher education centre
The political crisis in Kenya has turned Ghana into a destination for foreign students interested in short-term courses, according to Lydia Anowa Nyako, Assistant Registrar, International Programmes at the University of Ghana. Nearly 209 short-term visiting students from the United States, Germany, Japan and, South Africa have taken up short courses at the University of Ghana.
Source: “Ghana fast becoming higher education centre,”
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, February 15, 2008
3) OVER THE COUNTER - Hundreds cast out as Australian college closes
There was more bad press this past week for Australia's higher education industry. Barely a week after research conducted by Australian academics indicated that foreign students are exploited in the country (see issue dated February 13, 2008), a popular vocational college has been shut down by the government. With the college's closure, nearly 1000 foreign students may lose thousands of dollars and be sent home to their respective countries.
Australia's Global College has been shut down by the New South Wales Government after failing to renew its registration with the Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board. The college offered vocational courses such as commercial cookery and hairdressing that helped international students in securing points towards getting permanent visas. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the college is alleged to have significantly over-enrolled its classes and failed to provide enough stoves per student in its kitchen.
According to higher education recruitment body, IDP Australia, education has replaced tourism as Australia's third biggest services export for the first time, with a total value of Aus $ 12.5 billion ($ 11.4 billion U.S.), trailing only coal and iron ore.
Source: “Hundreds cast out as college closes,”
Sydney Morning Herald, February 16, 2008
4) GLOBE TIPPING - "Adapting" to Conditions Overseas
If you're planning to bring your laptop or other electrical appliance overseas, you should remember that the electrical voltages and frequencies of power outlets are different the world over and so are the physical shape of outlets and plugs. The Travel Oasis web site features a handy list of countries with the voltages and frequencies used by each one. Clicking each country takes you to a page where you're shown what type of plug adaptor you'll need.
www.traveloasis.com
Not-So-Foreign© is a publication of Higher-Edge
Please direct questions and comments to editor@higher-edge.com
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