National
China reiterates position on foreign qualification recognition during the pandemic (CHN)
By CSCSE, 24 March 2022
On 24 March 2022, the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) issued a second supplementary explanation on its degree verification measures during the pandemic. The advice reminds students to distinguish between courses offered by foreign universities that are for “face-to-face delivery” (including those adjusted to online delivery mode due to the pandemic), and those that were designed purely for distance learning or other non-face-to-face learning. It reiterates that according to its current policies, qualifications obtained through cross-border remote learning are not within the scope for verification. (Click here to read our office’s policy update on the original announcement and the first supplementary explanation)
Three universities added to the Strong Foundation Program (CHN)
By Sina, 25 March 2022
The Chinese Ministry of Education (MoE) has recently revealed that three new universities will be added to the Strong Foundation Program this year - Northeastern University, Hunan University, and Northwestern Agricultural and Forestry University. Announced in 2020, the Strong Foundation Program offers top high school graduates tailor-made education programs in foundational disciplines such as maths, physics, chemistry, biology, history, philosophy and palaeography at China’s top universities.
Guideline to limit primary and secondary school competitions
By English.gov.au, 16 March 2022
No academic competitions should be organized for students in primary and middle schools, and the results of any other competitions must not be used for student enrollment in higher-level schools, according to a guideline issued by the MoE and other key government bodies on 14 March. In the latest whitelist published by the ministry, only 36 competitions, mainly nonacademic ones, were given the green light last year. This year's list will be published in August.
China to offer 1m internship posts for job seekers
By Englishg.gov.au, 17 March 2022
China will provide job seekers with no fewer than 1 million internship openings this year to help them find employment as soon as possible, according to a circular released by 10 government organisations including MoE and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. It was noted that internship providers will pay interns for their services, but providers will receive subsidies from government.
More children with disabilities studying at regular schools
By English.gov, 21 March 2022
According to the MoE, In 2020, the number of students with disabilities who studied at regular schools had risen to 439,000 from 239,000 in 2015, which makes up about 50 percent of all students with disabilities.
Provincial/SARs
All Shanghai universities in lockdown in COVID-19 wave
By University World News, 17 March 2022
All universities and colleges in Shanghai – which has around 30 universities and a similar number of colleges – have been in lockdown since 12 March amid the COVID-19 resurgence in Eastern China. Several smaller university campuses in Shanghai locked down as early as 2 March.
Australia
Australia and India moving toward mutual recognition of higher education qualifications
By Monitor.icef, 23 March 2022
The governments of India and Australia have announced a taskforce will be set up to establish a framework for the mutual recognition of qualifications, expected to be in place by 2023.
Also of Interest
IDP report: Australia in joint third place with the UK as top destination for international students
By IDP-connect, March 2022
According to the latest research on student intentions from IDP, Canada remains the top destination of choice for one in four students (27 per cent). Following Canada in top spot was the USA (20 per cent), with the UK and Australia in joint third place (19 per cent). For Chinese students, 21 per cent selected either the UK or USA as their first-choice destination, 18 per cent selected China itself and only 10 per cent selected Australia, marginally ahead of Canada.
Most international students in the US want to stay after graduation but worry about getting a job
By Monitor.icef, 23 March 2022
A recent survey of international students studying in the US found that most students are happy with their experience and want to remain in the US after graduation but many share a significant level of concern about their ability to get an internship and a job in the country. This seems to be affecting many students’ estimation of whether studying in the US offers sufficient value for money.
Canada issued record-breaking 450,000 study permits in 2021
By Studyinternational, 25 March 2022
Data from Canada show nearly 450,000 new study permits took effect last year, breaking the previous record set in 2019. The top three international student sources were India (217,410), China (105,265) and France (26,630). Before COVID-19, Canada saw just over 400,000 new study permits take effect; conversely, the figure fell to just over 255,000 in 2020. The spike in study permits that took effect last year was attributed to a double cohort of student arrivals: those who couldn’t travel to Canada in 2020 due to the pandemic, and students who planned to begin their studies in 2021.
Hotels in Shanghai and Jiangsu open their doors to students studying online
By China Daily, 21 March 2022
One week after schools in Shanghai switched to online teaching due to an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, several high-end hotels in the city launched special services catering to the potential demand for quiet e-learning rooms. The service was offered because many parents complained about having no time to supervise their children’s studies at home.
New Oriental Academy close down schools at compulsory education level (CHN)
By edu.sina, 21 March 2022
New Oriental, China’s major private education company has recently announced that it will close down its private schools teaching at compulsory education level, a decision that has mainly been influenced by government policies that prohibits private entities from investing in compulsory level education.
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