Dear Friends and Colleagues,

We are excited to announce and share with all of you that Worldwide EduConnect is expanding!

The launch of Maple Leaf EduConnect Africa in Nairobi, Kenya has come after years of planning and strategizing so we could strive to meet the expectations of our clients and grow across continents with all of you. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Georgian College and Brock University into Africa, and hope to bring in the same successes and achievements from our operations in South Asia to this new venture.

We have the support of a very competent team at the Africa office- with Emmanuel Kung’u as Managing Partner, who brings with him over a decade of experience in international student recruitment, as well as Ivey Business School alumnus Manoj Mehta who comes on board as Director.

Thank you to all our clients for their unwavering support and encouragement over the past decade that has brought us to this momentous occasion. We hope to continue to build on this enduring relationship of mutual success and growth together.

To read the detailed Press Release on our launch, click here. Please feel free to reach out to me if you would like to hear more about our new initiative.

Vinay

(CEO, Worldwide EduConnect)

AFRICA: LATEST UPDATES

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa stood at 1,293,048 on Monday, with a steady rise in infections. However, according to Africa Centres for Disease Control (CDC), some countries in the continent saw a recent decline in new infections while others continued to report a steady increase. As per WHO, the COVID outbreak in Africa may have passed its peak, but governments have been warned to not ease restrictions. Moreover, according to the global humanitarian relief body- the International Rescue Committee (IRC)- the true impact of the pandemic in the continent may be hidden because of lack of testing and issues with data.

The subsequent African economic shutdown once the pandemic hit brought its economic deficiencies and structural vulnerabilities into sharp focus. The biggest challenge being faced by African countries is funding. In 2020, Southern Africa Development Community economies are facing particularly adverse conditions as the region has not only suffered a series of devastating weather shocks, but is reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic as well. South Africa’s economy plunged in the second quarter, recording its largest ever contraction. The strict lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus shut down most of their activity, yet the country has recorded 639,362 cases and has the 7^th highest caseload globally. Consequently the output has fallen by 51% on annual terms, accordingly to Statistics South Africa. Its Government expects a GDP decline of at least 7% in 2020.

To facilitate the free movement of students and university staff across the 54 countries of the continent,  there is a growing demand for an “African Union” passport. This could be an important step as many students are studying at African universities and this trend might grow with the reluctance to travel to Western countries.

News from NORTH AFRICA

Algeria – Algeria has reported 298 new cases, bringing its total cases to 46,071. The final date for reopening of schools has not been set and will depend on pandemic data. A ban on cultural activities has been lifted as part of a plan to partially lift the national curfew. Use of public and private transportation is barred during weekends in a few provinces where the curfew took effect from 1 September for a period of 30 days.

Egypt – The coronavirus cases have surpassed the 100,000 mark. Effective from 1 September, a PCR has been put in place to detect the infection on arrivals at Egypt’s international airports. This decision was seen as a suitable solution to saving the tourism sector. The Ministry of Education and China’s Confucius Institute have signed a 6-year MoU. The first semester of the new 2020-21 academic year will start on 17 October. The decades old system of high school final exams, known as Thanaweya Amma, will also be updated for the 2020-2021 academic year, with multiple choice and true and false questions only. Students looking to improve their High School exam grades have the opportunity to sit for other exams which will be held in August.  The minimum high school grade requirements for admission into an elite faculty at public universities for the 2020-21 year are: Medicine and Dentistry (98.5%), Physiotherapy (97.5%), Economics (96.1%), Political Sciences (95.5%), Mass Comm. (94.5%). The Egyptian Space Agency and Banha University announced the establishment of a summer school for space learning to be hosted by the Banha University, Obour.

Morocco – The country has reported 1941 cases, bringing the total to 75,721. While most schools have resumed teaching, in-person education has been postponed in one North West Moroccon city until further notice. The vocational training season will begin on 12 October, and final exams for second-year trainees will be held from 15 – 18 September. It has been disclosed that 80% of Moroccan families have chosen in-person classes.  The Moroccan Association for Guidance and Digital Education is set to launch its first 4-day forum on Digital Education and Training this week. The national airline of Morocco officially announced the admission of foreigners into the country from September 10.

Tunisia – With 198 more confirmed cases, Tunisia is facing several challenges as a second wave of COVID-19 hits the country. In a statement, the Ministry of Education stressed that the return to schools will be gradual and flexible from Tuesday, September 15. Universities will begin the new academic year in September as is the norm, but will use a hybrid education model and adhere to strict preventive measures. The economy is suffering with cumulative revenues from tourism, a driving sector, falling by 61% to 1.4 billion dinars at the end of August 2020, as compared to 3.7 billion dinars in the first eight months of the previous year.

News from EAST AFRICA

Kenya – The total number of confirmed cases in Kenya is presently at 35,356. As was announced by sources in the ministry, some schools may reopen in November and the ministry will start training heads of basic and higher learning institutions on health guidelines.

Key findings of the recent World Bank policy report:

• Kenya’s Vision 2030 seeks to emulate the expansion of higher education sectors in Asia
• Higher education enrolment rate is slightly above the regional average and stands at only 11.7%
• The system as a whole has significant disparities in access and equity despite financial aid
• Most universities are located in urban areas with about half of the 47 counties having no universities
• In the last 10 years, the number of universities and colleges climbed from 31 in 2009 to 74 presently
• The Higher Education Loan Scheme policies adopt a new tuition fee approach by extending more bursaries and loans to needy students and by providing loans to middle-class students

Mauritius – The COVID case count for the country is 356 with 335 recoveries. The General Union of Mauritanian Students are urging the Ministry of Higher Education to open doors for students who wish to travel to continue their studies abroad and take their examinations. Approximately 300 students registered in Moroccan universities were outlined by student’s union.

News from WEST AFRICA

Ghana – The case load in this west African country has risen to 45,012, with 283 deaths. Final year students of tertiary institutions completed their academic year by writing their final examinations recently, and facilitated phase 2 of disinfection of universities and polytechnics across the country. Students of Junior and Senior High Schools 2 are to resume schools from 5 – 14 October 2020 to complete the current academic year, however for all other students classes will start in January 2021. Ghana reopened its international airports this week.

Nigeria – With a 100 new cases, the tally of COVID cases is now 55,005. The Lagos government gave an update on the plan for tertiary schools in the state to resume on 14 September. Both primary and secondary schools will tentatively be reopened on 21 September. Anambra’s Ministry of Education approved the gradual reopening of schools in the state, in line with the ministry’s approved timetable for the completion of 2019-2020 academic session. The Government made it clear that current ASUU strike will not hinder the reopening of tertiary institutions. Private universities have been facing mounting pressure to reopen the education space, which should be allowed if public universities are not ready. International flights to the country have resumed with some preventive measures. On 8 September, Nigeria received its first international flight since March this year.

Cameroon – There are a total of 19,604 cases in the country currently. Schools which had started operating have now shut down due to instructions from the Minister of Basic Education. Holiday classes which were supposed to end on 11 September were rounded off by August end.

News from SOUTHERN AFRICA

South Africa – South Africa has moved to 7^th place in the world in terms of number of COVID cases. Universities have agreed to extend the academic year to the end of February 2021, and are expected to start their 2021 academic year in March or April next year. A phased reopening is underway, with two-thirds of university population being allowed on campuses under level two lockdown regulations. The Tourism Business Council has mooted a travel air bubble strategy that would include a trial phase for allowing people from safe markets to travel to South Africa.

Zambia – Zambia has recorded 12,936 cases so far. Schools in Zambia have been closed since the decision was taken in mid-August, and only students in examination classes are expected to attend lessons. Officials have revealed that schools will reopen in January 2021. They have also made clear that in 2021, all pupils except those in grade 7, 9 and 12 will remain in the same grade they are in 2020. In 2022, universities and colleges will have no first year students unless they recruit mature students.

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