Higher-Edge: Institutions: Publications: Overseas, Overwhelmed©, Volume 8, Issue 40

Overseas, Overwhelmed^©
A Bulletin for Canadian International Education Professionals
Volume 8, Issue 40; December 9, 2009

1) LET’S GO CANADA – New regulation for university accreditation in India
2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - China to grant 20,000 scholarships to foreign students in 2010
3) OVER THE COUNTER - Police answer to foreign students' safety in Australia
4) GLOBE TIPPING – Air cabin quality myths

1) LET'S GO CANADA – New regulation for university accreditation in India

India's University Grants Commission has framed a regulation making it mandatory for all universities and colleges to be certified by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The move is an attempt to assess and thereafter ensure the quality of education offered in institutions of higher education, explains commission chairman Professor Sukhdeo Thorat.

Currently, certification from the NAAC, an autonomous body headquartered Bangalore and established by the University Grants Commission in 1994, is voluntary. "While there has been progress in the absolute numbers of students with access to higher education since the time of independence, the enrolment rate of about 11% in India is much less than the world average of 23% and not much higher than the 7% of Africa," Thorat adds.

The problem has been addressed in the 11th Five-year Plan, with the government announcing the creation of 1,440 new institutions including seven Indian Institutes of Technology and seven Indian Institutes of Management, which Thorat described as the "second wave of higher education in the country".

Source: "NAAC certification must for all universities and colleges: UGC chief", The Hindu, November 22, 2009

Source: "New regulation for university accreditation", University World News, November 29, 2009

2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - China to grant 20,000 scholarships to foreign students in 2010

China's drive to attract foreign students is on the rise. According to the China Daily, the government will grant 20,000 scholarships to foreign students in 2010, 2,000 more than 2009.

Chinese Education Minister, Yuan Guiren, explained that the motivation stems from China's desire to engage young people from around the world and to encourage ties with other countries.

Source: "China expands scholarships to foreign students" China Daily, December 2, 2009

Source: China Scholarship Council (CSC)

3) OVER THE COUNTER - Police answer to foreign students' safety in Australia

The reputation of Australia's $16 billion international student industry is at risk if something isn't done to address the racially motivated attacks on foreign students, according to a report from a former Australian member of parliament.

An interim report on the international student sector by former Liberal MP Bruce Baird calls for increased police involvement in the collection of data related to racially motivated attacks.

Other recommendations in the report include: closer inspections of education institutions; providing students with access to information; the appointment of an ombudsman to oversee student complaints; and an intensification of efforts to apprehend criminal offenders in order to ensure the safety of international students.

Source: "Police key to foreign student safety", The Sydney Morning Herald, December 4, 2009

4) GLOBE TIPPING - Air cabin quality myths

There are many untruths about air cabin quality on commercial airplanes. According to Patrick Smith of Salon.com, the air quality within the cabins of commercial planes is considerably cleaner than widely assumed.

The amount of oxygen and airflow in the cabin are generally automated. Pilots adjust these settings only in rare circumstances, such as the malfunction of an engine.

For more on air cabin controls and management view this 5-minute tutorial.