U.S.: University of California Caps Out-of-State and International Student Quota

Beginning in the 2017-2018 academic year, the University of California system will limit the number of non-California residents to 18 percent of the total student population at five of its campuses (Santa Barbara, Davis, Santa Cruz, Riverside and Merced), and bar its other four campuses (Los Angeles (UCLA), Berkeley, Irvine ,and San Diego) from further increasing their out-of-state quota, which is presently already above 18 percent. The U.C. system is the largest university system in the U.S., and currently enrolls about 210,000 undergraduate students, including 3.800 international students from about 100 countries. The move is driven by concerns that the high number of out-of-state students in the system, which currently makes up 16.5 percent, limits the admissions prospects of California residents. Opponents contend that the limit will cause the loss of talented international students and decrease university revenues.

Voice of America
May 20, 2017

Canada: New Franco-Canadian Exchange Program to Fill Vacant Teaching Posts

In an effort to address a teacher shortage in Canada and a paucity of teaching jobs in France, higher education consortia in the two countries have come together to find a solution. Universities from Conférence des présidents d’université in France and Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne and Universities Canada agreed on a deal that would foster a student/teacher exchange. The goal of the agreement is to offer French students and degree holders training at Canadian universities and teaching posts at primary schools and secondary schools and entice Canadian university students to pursue work opportunities in France. Between 2004 and 2014, Canadian students’ interest in French language studies increased 41%. While this agreement seeks to meet this demand, participants in this deal also see the community building benefits of encouraging Franco-Canadian exchange.

The PIE News
May 17, 2017

Canada: Universities Experience Surge in International Student Enrollments

International student enrollments at Canadian universities are surging with average enrollment increases at universities across the country reaching more than 10 percent. The University of Alberta in 2017 has witnessed a 27 percent in the number of international students accepting admission offers compared to last years, whereas some institutions, such as Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario saw an increase as high as 40 percent. One reason for the strong growth is that increasing numbers of students from the United States opt to study north of the border. Many observers also suggest that the election of Donald Trump in the U.S. is a major factor in the increase in enrollments. Other factors cited by observers are uncertainties about immigration rule in the UK, apparently causing increasing numbers of Indian students to choose Canada over the UK.

The Globe and Mail
May 14, 2017

Argentina: Large-scale Strikes at Public Universities

Argentina’s public universities experienced the largest strike in 12 years as teachers and students were protesting austerity measures in education. Since coming into office in 2015, the government of President Mauricio Macri has enacted spending cuts in several sectors, including education and social services , while simultaneously increasing defense spending. The main demand behind the week-long strike were increases in education spending and a 35 percent wage increase for teachers to adjust for soaring inflation rates, which reached more than 40 percent in 2016.

Telesur
May 8, 2017