LATEST UPDATES

The Algerian Government has extended a partial lockdown in 16 provinces for another two weeks, as part of its continued efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus. The extension began on the 17^th and will go on until the end of March.

The Morocco-UK Higher Education Commission organized its 3^rd meeting at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, with the purpose of strengthening education ties between Morocco and the UK. The British Council has presented the prestigious International School Award (ISA) to 20 Moroccan high schools, in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, and Higher Education.

After a five-month delay, Kenya’s primary school national exams finally kicked off on 22 March amid a rise in COVID-19 deaths. The exams for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) will end on 24 March with 1.187 million candidates sitting for them nationwide.

According to Ghana Education Service, academic activities for Senior High School 1st year students began on 22 March. The first-year students will run a double-track system to contain enrolment and ensure social distancing amid COVID-19.

Nigerian institutions are still struggling for a place in the global university pecking order. Out of 606 ranked universities, not one Nigerian university (public or private) made the 100 mark in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies University Ranking 2021.

In light of the pandemic, South Africa has a long way to go in transforming the higher education sector, although some groundwork is being made. The greater challenge of ensuring access and affordability for all remains. Between 2015 and 2020, over 25,000 South Africans obtained either temporary status, permanent residency, or citizenship in Canada. There was a 67.5% increase in the number of South Africans obtaining permanent residency and a 75% increase in the number of study permits gained.

News from other Top Study Destinations

Amid Covid-19 and a series of immigration-related directives, the US has reported a dip of 18% in foreign studentsenrolled at various universities in 2020 compared with 2019. There were fewer new international students in schools in 2020 as a result of a drastic cut in new enrolments in August/September.

The UK Graduate Route will open for applications on 1 July. The Route is especially for international students who wish to work following the completion of a course of study at a UK bachelor’s degree-level and above, and is a means of ensuring that the brightest international students continue to contribute to society and the economy post-study.

The New Zealand border is closed to most non-residents, except for those who have a critical need and are granted an exception to the border restrictions. The suspension of offshore temporary entry visa applications came into effect in August last year.

Although Australia’s economy is on track to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, the country’s education sector remains a notable exception, with insiders struggling to find a solution for bringing back overseas international students.

News from WWEC

Maple Assist in conversation with the University of Lethbridge on Thursday, 1 April: An Instagram Live with International Recruitment Consultant Vidhi Mathur to discuss the September 2021 intake and to take in questions from prospective international students. Catch it live at 8.00 am ET/5.30 pm IST here.

OUR RESOURCES Worldwide EduConnect International Recruitment Solutions: https://worldeduconnect.com/ WWEC LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/worldwide-educonnect Maple Assist Blog: https://www.mapleassist.com/blogs/ Maple Assist YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFhQ5_uIF4cQLidiOO_m-Q Scotiabank Resource Centre for Newcomers to Canada: https://startright.scotiabank.com/covid-19-resources.html