International enrolments in Canada suffered the third annual decrease in a row in 2004, according to the latest statistics from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), meaning another disappointing year for international education providers in the country. One problem highlighted was stories of bogus visa applications from key markets, notably, India.
Overall, 56,529 student visas – needed for study periods of six months or over in Canada – were issued in 2004, down from 60,212 in 2003.
Increased competition from European Union (EU) students, as well as an increase in applications from UK students anxious to avoid paying top-up fees – which are being introduced from next year – are two of the reasons some UK students have found themselves without a university place of their choice this year.
The latest figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) show that 110,042 applicants were eligible for the ”clearing” process at the end of August, where students who have not received high enough grades to be accepted by their first choice universities are matched with universities with available places, while only 35,000 courses with vacancies were available. Ucas commented that roughly 50 per cent of eligible applicants were active in the clearing process.
Meanwhile, the number of students from the new European Union countries being accepted on to courses at UK universities increased by 62.1 per cent this year, to 3,381 students, with the largest increases seen in the number of Lithuanians, up by 416.7 per cent; Latvians, up by 244.2 per cent; and Polish students, up by 99.3 per cent. The number of international students from outside the EU accepted into UK universities this year also increased by 3.8 per cent, to 23,141 students, although this increase masks decreases in a number of key student markets, including China, down by 21.3 per cent, and Malaysia, down by 4.1 per cent.
Non-EU student markets that showed improvement include Nigeria, where acceptances were up by 85 per cent, Pakistan, which was up by 15 per cent and India, which showed an increase of 7.5 per cent.
Universities in other study destinations have reacted by offering scholarships to eligible UK students. So far, seven universities in Australia and New Zealand have announced that they are to offer scholarships to UK students for undergraduate programmes starting in the February 2006 academic year.
From September 2006, all UK students will have to pay fees of up to UK£3,000 (US$5,523) per year for their university education, while tuition fees in Australia and New Zealand range from UK£4,000 (US$7,366) to UK£7,000 (US$12,891). Chris Madden, pro-Vice Chancellor of Griffith University in Queensland, Australia, said, “Tuition fees are the biggest change British universities have had in years. Before they were importers, but now with tuition fees, and given the exchange rates, the cost of studying [in Australia] is not much more than studying [in Britain].”
Dubai campus closure
Students studying at the University of Southern Queensland’s Dubai campus were left out in the cold earlier this year after the university closed its doors just before the start of a new term. The campus, which was attended by 300 foreign fee-paying students, was closed less than a year after it first opened.
The university campus was based in Dubai’s Knowledge Village, where 14 other foreign universities operate, and Bill Lovegrove, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) in Australia said that they would do their best to help strike a deal for USQ students to transfer their credits to other institutions in the village. USQ will also allow students to complete their studies through its distance-learning programme and offered to help those wanting to continue their course in Australia.
However, according to the Khaleej Times, some students and their parents were threatening legal action to recover the fees already paid for the previous two semesters, stating that they could not afford the high fees charged by the other institutions located in the village.
The closure came about after problems emerged regarding licensing conditions imposed on the campus by the government-backed Knowledge Village. The university said in a statement, “[Knowledge Village] has this week recommended that USQ operate the campus as the sole licence holder, an unacceptable change in position by KV… [as it] shifts all the financial risk of the campus to USQ. USQ has thus been left with no choice but to close its Dubai campus. ”
USQ has four other university campus operations worldwide, three in Australia and one in Germany.
Fresh Talent initiative criticised
Colleges and universities in England have criticised the implementation of a ”Fresh Talent” initiative in Scotland that encourages foreign graduates to settle in Scotland by giving them a two-year visa extension.
The initiative, which was introduced as a means of tackling Scotland’s declining population, came into force this year and university groups in England and Wales claim that it has created unfair competition and should be applied across the UK. They added that it was confusing because the visa system is UK-wide and graduates could move anywhere within the UK.
A meeting earlier this year of the Joint Education Taskforce, heard university representatives question the right of the Scottish Executive to operate a separate regime on a reserved issue such as immigration.
Homestay checks in the US
The US Department of State has proposed new regulations that will force all homestay hosts of secondary school students on exchange programmes to be checked against the National Sex Offender Public Registry. Under the new legislation, institutions offering exchange programmes would also be required to complete criminal background checks on officers, employees, agents and representatives and file written reports of mandatory monthly visits to host families.
The proposals were introduced following a small number of high profile cases, involving the sexual abuse of visiting secondary students by a member of a host family. A State Department source said, “We have had a lot of interest in this from concerned citizens. We have examined the situation fully and decided it was necessary to build in an extra level of protection for our youth-exchange participants.”
However, the Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students, set up to highlight cases of abuse and neglect experienced by a small number of exchange student visitors while in host family accommodation, believes the regulations do not go far enough. Sally Arguilez Smith, Spokesperson for the Committee, told the Boston Globe that host families should undergo full criminal background checks. “If you are serious about taking in a child, you should have no problem saying, ‘I have nothing to hide in my background, and I allow this check’,” she said.
'Blog' highlights study abroad
Four college students are to describe their real-life experiences of studying overseas in an interactive reality show called BlogAbroad.com. The students are all studying abroad, in Egypt, New Zealand and New York, and will record their experiences via the Internet in an interactive weblog or blog.
Viewers can read their stories, see pictures and videos and also ask questions and make comments on the website. Mark Shay, President of StudyAbroad.com, the company behind the venture, said, “While highly entertaining, BlogAbroad.com is a terrific educational tool. It is a way to show first-hand what it’s like to study abroad.”
The four participants were chosen from over 100 students studying overseas. All are given tasks to complete and they have to post new contributions to the blog at least three times a week. Amy White, who is studying in Cairo, said, “I am excited to share my experiences in Cairo. I hope to ease the confusion over what is presumed about Arab/Muslim culture and what is factual.”
Association corner
Full name:
International Public School Education Association (Ipsea)
Year established: 1994
Organisation's main role:
To promote collaboration among member districts and support them in their efforts to promote British Columbia public education to the international community.
Full contact details:
Barbara Onstad, Ipsea, Vancouver School Board, 1580, West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6J 5K8, Canada
Tel: +604 7134529
Fax: +604 7134536
Email: bonstad@vsb.bc.caWeb: www.studyinbc.org
What activities have you been involved in over the last 12 months?
Our association has produced an economic impact study for the use of our members in demonstrating the economic and social benefits to our communities of international student programmes. As well, we have produced a handbook for effective administration of public school international students programmes and revamped the Ipsea website.
How have international enrolments fared over the last 12 months at your member schools?
Our member institutions report slight increases in enrolments this 2005/2006 school year. Effective relationships with agents, increased interest in Canada and political/economic environments in source countries affected enrolments positively this year.
Do you work with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) at all?
Ipsea has a seat on the advisory committee to CIC Canada and actively works with CIC staff to help make the study permit application and renewal process smooth.
How do you work with other BC organisations, apart from your members, to promote British Columbia overseas?
Several school districts work closely with public post-secondary institutions on promotion, homestay provision or post-secondary information sessions. We are always looking for ways to collaborate effectively with other BC partners.
News in brief
Same fees for all
Canada’s first private self-funded university has announced that tuition fees will be the same for international and Canadian students, in a departure from public universities who charge international students more than home students.
Dr Dick Roskin, Vice-President Academic of University Canada West in Victoria, BC, said, “As a university which does not rely on public tax support, it was our feeling that we have a golden opportunity to internationalise University Canada West and provide an important benefit to both Canadian and international students.”
Austria changes admissions process
The Austrian government has changed university admissions procedures for the country’s 21 public universities, after the European Court of Justice overturned an Austrian law requiring international students from other European Union (EU) countries to prove that they had been admitted to a university in their home country.
Previously, Austria was the only country in the EU to allow unrestricted university access to all students who had passed the matura, an examination completed at the end of secondary school, or its equivalent. The Austrian government has responded by introducing a measure that will end unlimited access onto eight university courses.
Finnish universities to introduce fees
A Finnish Ministry of Education working group has suggested charging international students from outside the European Economic Area e3,500 – e12,000 (US$4,363 - US$14,958) per academic year from 2007.
Universities in Finland claim tuition fees would help finance the teaching of foreigners, particularly in courses taught in languages other than Finnish.
Joint venture to open in Sheffield, UK
The University of Sheffield in the UK, together with US-based education company, Kaplan, has unveiled plans to create an international college that will offer pre-degree courses for international students wanting to study at UK universities. The college is scheduled to open in 2006 and will offer subjects within the field of arts, engineering and science, combined with intensive language learning and further study skills.
Kaplan has already moved into the British education market by offering coaching to students sitting the new BioMedical Admissions Test and National Admissions Test of Law used by leading UK universities.
Malaysia to monitor entry of foreign students
The Malaysian government has announced plans to open a one-stop centre to monitor the entry of foreign students into the country. The centre would scrutinise all foreign student applicants and combine the activities of the Home Affairs Ministry, the police and the Immigration Department.
The Higher Education Ministry also announced that an Agency Liaison Committee on International Students had been formed to deal with problems affecting international students.
International school in Beijing, China
Beijing City International School (BCIS) opened its doors earlier this year to 100 students from 21 countries and regions. The school is the first international school to open through investment from a Chinese businessman rather than from overseas.
The school’s head, Christopher Edmunds, said that education at the school would draw from the best of both the Western and Eastern models. “The arrival of BCIS marks not only a distinct but exciting addition to the educational landscape of Beijing,” he commented.
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