APR’22 WRAP-UP EDITION
The latest news and updates in higher education across the globe
POPULAR STUDY DESTINATION UPDATES
United States | Plans to extend expiring work permits
Considering backlogs to process renewals, the country will extend expiring work permits for a year and a half for thousands of immigrants. This will prevent ~260,000 immigrants from losing work authorization and give enough time to the authorities to clear the backlogs. Read more here
Australia | International students worried about delayed visas
Even though Australia reopened their borders in December 2021, many students remain worried due to delays in student visa applications and fear losing their offers if they do not return soon to the country. Read more here
Canada | Extends work permit for international students
As per the new measure, international students whose post-graduate work permit expires between January and December 2022 will qualify for an additional open work permit of up to 18 months. The country also recently announced resumption of its Express Entry draws for Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Federal Skilled Trades (FST) candidates in early July. Read more here
Finland | Expands work opportunities for international students
Finland introduces new reforms that will enable international students to receive continuous residence permits, thus making it easier for them to study and work in the country after graduating. Read more here
Ireland | Makes 5-Year multi-entry short-stay visas available
The country makes short-term multiple-entry visas with a validity of five years available to travellers from all countries. Until now, the maximum validity was up to three years for multiple entry visas. Read more here
Germany | Extends entry restrictions till May
After carefully evaluating the current COVID-19 situation, the German authorities extend existing Coronavirus entry restrictions until the end of May. The restrictions were supposed to end on April 28. Read more here
New Zealand | Reopens border to visa waiver countries
The country reopens its border for vaccinated Australians, New Zealand citizens, vaccinated travellers from visa-waiver countries, and some visa holders and international students. Read more here
COUNTRY PARTNERSHIPS
- India and the UK are exploring bilateral free trade agreements between the two countries. This trade deal is expected to ease visa access for Indian students.
- Sanskriti University, India signs a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) to imbibe managerial skills in students and promote the use of information technology.
ASIA UPDATES
- The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) class 10 and 12 Term-2 board examinations kickstarted on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 and will end on May 24 and June 15 respectively.
- A group of pre-university students in Bangkok, Thailand, request authorities to review the results of their university admission exams after receiving zero marks for failing to follow exam verification rules due to misunderstanding.
- As the economic crisis in the country continues, overseas Sri Lankan students are facing a hard time paying their tuition fees.
- According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training, seven Vietnamese universities satisfy international accreditation standards.
- Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education places a moratorium on fee hikes. This means Institutes of Higher Learning (IPT) will be unable to increase tuition fees.
- The Saudi scholarship programme will send 70,000 Saudi students abroad to the most prestigious universities and institutes by 2030.
AFRICA UPDATES
- As per the recent statistics from the Home Office, the UK processed close to 43,200 visas for Nigerians in 2022, an increase of 415% compared to 2019. With this, the US embassy in Nigeria waives interviews for visa renewals for Nigerians already pursuing their education at a US university and who will be in Nigeria over the summer.
- The University of Johannesburg in South Africa plans to offer degrees and certificates on the blockchain to avoid fraud.
- The Netherlands pledges to foster Tanzania’s inclusive development through vocational education.
- Candidates who scored C+ and above in the 2021 Kenya Certificate Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations are set to join universities on government sponsorships.
- The seven member East African Community is working on a regional strategy to guide the implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning.
To help you stay abreast of all the education-related news and development in the African region, the MLEC Africa team of in-house experts have curated the monthly report. Click here to download the full report.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- For International Recruitment Solutions: https://worldeduconnect.com/
- Maple Assist curated Blog: https://www.mapleassist.com/blogs/
- Maple Assist Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFhQ5_uIF4cQLidiOO_m-Q