Higher-Edge: Institutions: Publications: Overseas, Overwhelmed©, Volume 8, Issue 36

Overseas, Overwhelmed^©
A Bulletin for International Education Professionals
Volume 8, Issue 36; October 28, 2009

1) LET’S GO CANADA – India’s Institutes of Technology and Management to attract more foreign students
2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - The writing’s on the wall: Australia’s student recruitment numbers unsustainable
3) OVER THE COUNTER - UK Universities court India and China for partnerships
4) GLOBE TIPPING – Eating safe while travelling

1) LET'S GO CANADA – India’s Institutes of Technology and Management to attract more foreign students

The first council meeting of the India Institute of Technology (IIT) held Monday on 19th October is expected to promote a shift in policy aimed at attracting more foreign students.

It is expected that policy changes such as introducing scholarships and reducing tuition fees will be impleneted in order to attract more foreign students at post-graduate level. The Council will also consider creating extra seats at post-graduate level specifically for international students.

At present, foreign students pay much more than their Indian counterparts, resulting in very low numbers in the IITs.

The move towards attracting more foreign students is mirrored in plans by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to open their doors to foreign students. Currently, only Indian students can apply to admission to IIMs. Rather than reducing the number of available places for local students, the number of seats will be hiked by an estimated 10% to accommodate more foreign students.

Source “New policy soon to attract more overseas students to IITs” The Hindu, October 18, 2009

Source “IIMs to offer seats to foreign students soon” The Hindu, October 26, 2009

Source "India's new schtick: study mecca" Global Post, August 28, 2009

2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - The writing’s on the wall: Australia’s student recruitment numbers unsustainable

Australia can not continue to recruit Chinese and Indian students at the current rate without compromising education standards, the country’s largest overseas recruiter, IDP Education, warned.

China and India together account for 40% of Australia’s 547,600 international students but their annual growth rates run at 18 and 38 percent respectively. International student recruiters, having analysed the trend, estimate that their will be 500,000 student enrollments from India alone in five years. Australia simply does not have the teachers, classes or accommodation to serve them.

According to IDP Education’s Chief Executive, Mr Tony Pollock, recent negative publicity surrounding Australia would trigger a softening in the overseas market but one that he predicts to bounce back during the next six to nine months as a result of growing international demand, the easing of the financial crisis, tightening British entry requirements and difficulties accessing US student visas.

Source “Student growth not sustainable” The Australian, October 14, 2009

3) OVER THE COUNTER – UK Universities court India and China for partnerships

The UK Universities International Ambitions Report, published by law firm Eversheds, has identified "a surge in UK higher education institutions exploring overseas partners, with India and China topping the table of global targets".

The report found that 71 per cent of institutions are pursuing more international collaborations. India is the most popular potential partner, being courted by 35 percent of institutions, followed by China at 29 percent and Africa at 12 percent.

76 percent of UK universities would consider using e-learning in previously unviable territories and 41 percent would also consider setting up foreign campuses.

Source "Global ambitions drive UK institutions" Times Higher Education, October 27, 2009

4) GLOBE TIPPING - Eating safe while travelling

We all know the basics of developing safe eating habits while abroad such as drinking only bottled water, avoiding ice-cubes and salads unless you can ascertain both have been prepared using bottled water.

However there are a number of other practices you can employ to avoid catching any tummy bugs. Consider turning vegetarian temporarily on your trips. Most food-borne illnesses are caused by eating meat so you can avoid this by opting for the cooked vegetarian options or fruits and vegetables that you can peel yourself. If you must eat meat then make sure it is well done. Avoid eating products that go off quickly without proper refrigeration such as mayonnaise, seafood and dairy products.

Find more tips here.