Afghanistan
Government Attempts to Bring Madrassas into State System
The BBC reported in January that the Afghan government is trying to bring religious schools, known as madrassas and synonymous with inspiring a generation of Taliban fundamentalists, into the fold of the state education system rather then freezing them out, providing they widen their syllabus to teach other subjects.
Under the reform, schools will be able to continue to teach subjects connected to the Islamic faith for 40 percent of the time, but the other 60 percent will be taken up with more standard subjects – history, geography, science and languages – as well as computer studies. The new policy is a direct challenge to neighboring Pakistan, where the madrassa network of 15,000 schools and 1.5 million students has been a key recruiting ground for the Taliban. The belief among education officials in Afghanistan is that if there are enough Islamic schools in the county, there will be no need for students to go to Pakistan, and students will be able to study a more moderate form of Islamic teaching.
The first goal is to build a state-funded madrassa in every province in the country. However, many madrassas are opposed to the reforms. Central to their teaching is the rote learning of the Koran, and they say they have no time to learn anything other than the ways of Islam – widening the curriculum as the government wants, would dilute the learning. Another problem is a lack of resources. The government is struggling to fund the building of standard state schools and has failed to win new funding for its reform of madrassas.
– The BBC [1]
Jan. 17, 2008
Australia
New Government Ditches Research Quality Measure
The new Rudd Government announced in December that it will scrap the Research Quality Framework [2] and replace it with a new streamlined, internationally recognized, research quality assurance process using metrics or other agreed quality measures appropriate to each research discipline. The news has been well received at universities across the country, which almost unanimously considered the research assessment exercise as inefficient, a waste of taxpayer money and also of universities’ time.
– The Australian [3]
December 21, 2007
UNSW Pays Back Debt to Singapore
Following the collapse of its six-month-old Singapore campus in June, the University of New South Wales [4] has paid back all loans and grants to the Singapore Government, according to a joint statement.
– The Australian [5]
December 20, 2007
Universities in NSW Build Ties in China, India
Following a November visit to India and China by a delegation from New South Wales (NSW), led by NSW Premier Morris Iemma and university heads, a series of agreements were signed with universities in the two booming Asian countries.
All NSW universities – and the University of Canberra [6] – signed a memorandum of understanding with the Guangdong Education Association for International Exchange, representing the province’s top 10 universities, for a student and staff exchange and research collaboration.
Among other deals done on the trip, the University of Sydney [7] and the University of Western Sydney [8] signed an agreement with Sun Yat Sen University [9] in Guangzhou to research traditional Chinese medicine. The University of Technology, Sydney [10] (UTS), would collaborate in engineering research with the Chinese National Thermal Power Corporation. UTS also signed a deal with the GGS Indraprastha University [11] in India for research collaboration.
– The Australian [12]
December 7, 2007
New US-Style Degrees in Strong Demand at Melbourne University
Melbourne University [13] has made offers of places to incoming students that show strong demand for its newly reformed degree offerings, defying an overall decline in the state of Victoria as a whole. Applications for undergraduate places in Victoria fell by nearly 4 percent on last year while offers were down 5.5 percent, the state’s tertiary admissions center said.
The growth in demand for Melbourne’s new degree programs, which offer more generalist options at the undergraduate level than the traditional Australian degree, is in part due to a strong outreach campaign in local schools, according to university officials. Among the six undergraduate degrees that Melbourne now offers, Arts was the most popular.
The so-called ‘Melbourne Model [14],’ which is being applied from this year, is based on six broad undergraduate programs followed by a professional graduate degree. Melbourne has introduced its new system, which broadly follows trends in Europe and the United States, in a bid to reflect new realities in higher education and the labor market globally.
– The Australian [15]
January 15, 2008
China
Chinese Business Schools Improve, Students Stay in Country
With a greater focus on domestic business models and case studies, rather than foreign ones, Chinese business schools are changing their priorities and making their curriculums more relevant to Chinese students. With the change in emphasis the schools’ reputations are improving, and more local students are choosing to stay home rather than earn degrees abroad.
According to the findings of a poll of 253 recruiters from top multinational companies, 34 percent of respondents called the supply of high-quality talent from China’s MBA programs “excellent” or “good,” up from 19 percent last year, according to BusinessWeek China’s third annual survey of Chinese business schools.
Business education in China has come a long way. The first MBA programs at nine Chinese universities started accepting students only 16 years ago. Today, 96 universities offer more than 230 MBA and executive MBA programs. As the country’s red-hot economy sparks the growth of both local and foreign businesses, demand for MBAs is high. Next year the government plans to increase MBA enrollment by 24 percent and accredit an additional 30 or so universities.
In the BusinessWeek China survey, corporate recruiters singled out a handful of schools for their highest praise. China Europe International Business School [16] (CEIBS), a venture of the Shanghai municipal government and the European Union, was named the top program by 38 percent of recruiters. Beijing International MBA [17] (BiMBA) at Peking University [18], run jointly with a consortium of U.S. colleges, was a close second, with 31 percent ranking it No. 1, while 9 percent of respondents thought Tsinghua University’s School of Economics & Management [19] (SEM), a venture with Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management [20], had the best program.
These top schools are also attracting international students: 9 percent of the student body at BiMBA, 28 percent of new recruits at Tsinghua University’s SEM last year, and 30 percent of the freshman CEIBS student body (from 25 different countries, including Italy, Russia, Malaysia, India, and the U.S.) In addition, more than 50 percent of the CEIBS faculty is foreign.
– Business Week [21]
December 4, 2007
China, UK Research Agreement
Innovation China UK [22] (ICUK) was formally launched at the end of November. The collaboration involves five British universities and over 20 Chinese institutions of higher education and will focus on research and knowledge transfer between partnering institutions. The British side of the agreement is led by Queen Mary College of the University of London. [23] ICUK will support academic and business partners in forging collaborations, funding proof-of-concept research, and commercializing joint intellectual property across the UK and China. The other ICUK British partners are Kings College London [24], the University of Nottingham [25], the Royal Veterinary College [26], and the University of Southampton [27].
The project has been awarded US$10 million in funding by the UK Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), which supports knowledge transfer and increased business engagement in universities. China is providing complimentary funding through its Ministry of Science Technology.
– ICUK news release [28]
November 20, 2007
Increasing Numbers of Africans Studying in China
The Chinese media is reporting that more African students than ever are enrolling or planning to enroll at Chinese institutions of higher education. Figures from China’s Ministry of Education [29] showed that 3,737 African students studied in China in 2006, compared with 2,757 in 2005, marking a sharp rise of 40 percent. A majority is studying Chinese language.
At the China-Africa Cooperation forum in November 2006, Chinese premier Wen Jiabao promised to boost the number of scholarships for African students from 2,000 to 4,000 annually.
– Xinhua [30]
December 17, 2007
India
AICTE Rules Foreign Degrees Illegal
Despite a shortage of qualified workers, the All India Council for Technical Education [31] (AICTE) maintained recently that Indian institutions conducting programs on behalf of foreign institutions in the country are doing so illegally.
In an emerging trend, institutes like Mumbai-based Institute of International Studies [32] (IIS), Mangalore-based International Centre for Applied Sciences [33] and Pune-based Bharti Vidyapeeth’s Institute of Biotechnology [34] are forging relationships with foreign schools to offer their degrees. Typically, the Indian school administers the teaching according to the curriculum of its foreign partner and then transfers all the credit overseas. The final degree is then awarded by the international university, by London-based Kingston University [35] in the case of IIS.
AICTE, however, maintains that such arrangements are not legal. To the consternation of many, the council recently banned the Chartered Financial Institute [36] from conducting its courses and examinations in India, although the globally respected organization has been conducting its exams in India for three decades.
– The Economic Times [37]
December 2, 2007
Medical Degrees Receive US Equivalency
The US-based National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation [38] conferred equal status for India-earned undergraduate medical qualifications in December, a decision that could facilitate the mobility of medical professionals and students from India to the United States. The Medical Council of India [39] (MCI) had been lobbying for the recognition, which is valid for a trial period of two years.
At present, there is no accreditation system for Indian medical programs. The MCI does, however, outline certain procedures for recognition of programs. These procedures form the basis of an accreditation policy that is currently awaiting approval from the government.
– Press Trust of India [40]
December 13, 2007
Distance Learning Seen as Only Way to Meet Government Enrollment Targets
India needs to greatly expand its distance-learning system if it is to meet government targets that would see enrollment in higher education increase by 15 percent within seven years. The claim was made in a letter from India’s National Knowledge Commission [41] to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. The commission also raised concerns about the quality of education provided by the current distance-learning system. Surabhi Banerjee, a member of the commission’s working group and vice-chancellor of Netaji Subhas Open University [42], Kolkata, told The Times of India: “We’re trying to give the system quality, which has been lacking so far. Now it all depends on its implementation.”
– The Times of India [43]
January 7, 2008
Japan
Government Improves Foreign Scholarship Offerings
The Education, Science and Technology Ministry [44] has decided to revise the system of scholarships it offers foreign students coming to Japan for periods of less than a year, aiming to expand and improve short-stay programs at local universities, according to government officials. The new program will reportedly start in the next academic year, which begins April 1.
Quotas for the scholarships have traditionally been decided by the Japan Student Services Organization [45], an independent administrative unit, according to the number of international students at each university. But from next academic year the quotas will be decided by the ministry after examining the quality of curriculums for international students at each university. If the ministry approves a university’s program, the quota for foreign student scholarships at that institution will remain at current levels. But universities that fail to pass the ministry’s screening process will see their quota cut.
According to the student services organization, the number of foreign students on short-stay programs of less than a year as of May 1 was a record 8,368, up 945 from the previous academic year. The number of students on longer-period programs was 110,130, down 374 from 2006.
– Yomiuri Shimbun [46]
December 30, 3007
University of Tokyo makes Graduate Program Available Exclusively in English
In a highly unusual move for a Japanese university, the University of Tokyo [47] is starting a graduate program in October in which all instruction will be in English, according to a report from The Asahi Shimbun. The program will be about the Asian information society and the aim will be to attract students from other countries in Asia who might otherwise go to the United States for graduate study. Admission will be granted based on scores in the Test of English as a Foreign Language and the Graduate Record Examination.
– Asahi Shimbun [48]
January 21, 2008
Malaysia
Indian University to Establish Dental College Hospital in Malaysia
India’s Vinayaka Mission’s University [49] is investing $US16 million in establishing Penang International Dental College [50], expected to be one of the largest dental college hospitals in Southeast Asia. To be completed by September 2010, the facility will be built in Kepala Batas. The facility will serve both as a college and a dental hospital. One of the reasons for the set up in Kepala Batas is because Malaysia has the potential of becoming a regional hub for dental studies and treatment.
– The Star [51]
December 18, 2007
Multi-University International Cooperation Agreement in Renewable Energy
The Universiti Malaysia Perlis [52] has signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Barcelona [53] in Spain and the Prince of Songkhla University [54] of Thailand to develop programs in renewable energy in 2008 as part of the Malaysian university’s plan to enhance international academic cooperation. The three universities have agreed to share technology and to cooperate academically with staff and student exchanges.
– Bernama [55]
December 2, 2007
New Zealand
Universities to Place Greater Emphasis on Graduate Studies under Controversial New Funding Model
New Zealand’s top research university announced in December that it will begin restricting undergraduate admission this year in response to a new government university-funding model. The move by the University of Auckland [56] will likely be matched by at least three of New Zealand’s other seven universities.
Under the new government funding model, universities will receive funding based on the perceived quality of their research rather than on the basis of the number of full-time students enrolled, as has traditionally been the case. Hence, Auckland’s announcement that it will focus more on graduate level research activity and cut back on undergraduate admissions. It currently enrolls 38,000 students, about three-quarters of them at the undergraduate level. The university has not said how it plans to determine eligibility now that age and recognized high school qualifications will not automatically secure admission as they have in the past.
Unions and industry groups have criticized the reforms, stating that they are elitist and will lead to a tiered tertiary education system, with lavishly funded research universities at the top and poorly funded teaching institutions at the bottom.
– InsideHigherEd [57]
January 8, 2008
Pakistan
College Upgraded to University
Located in Peshawar, Islamia College has been upgrade to university status and is now known as Islamia College University.
– Dawn [58]
December 4, 2007
Pakistan-Austrian University campus being set up in DHA
A campus of Pakistan-Austrian University of Technology (PAUT) is under construction in Lahore as part of the Universities of Engineering Science and Technology of Pakistan (UESTP) project through which six universities will be established with foreign partners from Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Sweden and China (see December feature [59]).
– Daily Times [60]
December 7, 2007
South Korea
University Entrance Examination Grading System Revised … Twice
In 2007, the Korean Government introduced a new system to report the results of the College Scholastic Aptitude Test (CSAT), replacing raw scores and percentiles with a nine-level system. In January of this year, the government changed course after a negative public response, which resulted in much confusion and angst among current and future test-takers. The CSAT grading system will now offer all three scores – raw, percentile and level. In addition, the number of CSAT subjects will be reduced from seven to four by 2011.
Despite the confusion over CSAT grading methods, the exam itself may become less influential in coming years as the government introduces its three-phased scheme to give universities greater say in how they select students. From 2009, universities will be allowed to decide the weighting they apportion to CSAT results and high school records when selecting students.
The CSAT results from last year banded students into one of nine levels (top 4 percent, the next 7 percent, 12 percent, 17 percent, 20 percent, 17 percent, 12 percent, 7 percent and the bottom 4 percent). The government had warned of the change in 2004 but complaints mounted when it took effect three years later. Several universities and students had a hard time adjusting to the new system, which they said was akin to measuring in meters what was previously measured in millimeters. The new system was aimed at relieving the CSAT burden on students and thus putting more emphasis on high school grades to normalize public education.
– Korea Herald [61]
January 23, 2008
Taiwan
Six Taiwanese Universities Sign Cooperation Agreements with US University
In November a cooperation agreement was signed by Temple University [62] President, Ann Weaver Hart, and the presidents of six leading Taiwanese universities to create a dual bachelor’s-master’s degree program for Taiwanese students. The five-year program will offer Taiwanese students a bachelor’s degree from their home university and a master’s degree from Temple. In the summer between the first three years and final two years of the program, students will come to Temple for intensive English-language training and preparation for their master’s program.
The Six Taiwanese universities are: Chung Yuan Christian University [63], National Cheng Kung University [64], National Sun Yat-Sen University [65], National Taiwan Normal University [66], National Taiwan University of Science and Technology [67] and Tunghai University [68]. The combined enrollment of the six universities is more than 93,000 students. A preliminary list of Temple master’s degrees offered for participating students includes M.S. and M.A. degrees in 21 different disciplines in the sciences, engineering, business, humanities, social sciences and arts.
– Temple news release [69]
November 1, 2007
Vietnam
Business Booming for International Student Recruiters and Agents in Vietnam
As Vietnam’s export industries have taken off over the last decade, so a new generation of wealth has emerged in the country; a generation eager to spend its new-found wealth on providing the best education money can buy – abroad. To meet this demand, recruiters have descended on Vietnam en masse, particularly since the government freed most of the restrictions on them. Last year, a record number of Vietnamese students traveled to the United States to begin their studies, and many of them with the aid of a recruiter.
For smaller colleges in the US with limited or no international budgets, paying 12 to 15 percent commissions to local agents is the only way to build an international student body on campus. Despite well-publicized stories cautioning families to be wary, students still flock to agents. Not surprisingly, a cadre of dishonest recruiters has emerged, and deposits have been lost and often recruiters are not skilled enough to properly advise students.
However, those who use the services of agents say that information on the internet about studying in the United States is not sufficient. Agents work with students to pass the visa interview. Most students need help documenting that their families have sufficient funds to cover school expenses. Both the colleges and U.S. consular officials want to see large savings-account balances, and often agents, for a fee, will lend students large sums of cash so they can create a bank statement.
Although top students and top schools can quite easily do without recruiters, it is the average students with minimal English skills who need to be guided through the application process, the personal essay, converting their grades and the translation of recommendation letters. And the applicants have to be prepped for the visa interview, which is intimidating for even the most confident student.
– The Chronicle of Higher Education [70]
January 11, 2008
Government Boosts Education Spending
The Vietnamese government recently approved spending of US$1.3 billion for a national education and training program through 2010, according to recent media reports. Currently, only half of university and college graduates in the country are finding jobs upon graduation, according to a recent survey by the Ministry of Education and Training [71]. The ministry believes there is still too much focus on theory and inadequate job-related training – the focus of the new funding. The Vietnamese government has set a target of 200 tertiary students for every 10,000 people by 2010, 300 by 2015, and 450 by 2020. Currently, there are 181 students per 10,000 residents.
– English Daily [72]
January 4, 2008