EDU-CONNECT (South & Southeast Asia) 22 July 2020

0

INDIA: LATEST UPDATES

India has registered about 1.16m COVID-19 case counts to date with the maximum number of cases coming from states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi. However, the recovery rate has climbed to a healthy 62.86%. Due to a surge in numbers lately, a lockdown was re-imposed in some eastern states. The Unlock 2.0 has brought some positive news with the launch of the first trial phase of Covaxin by ICMR and Bharat Biotech on 19 July.

The monsoon season has finally hit the continent, with heavy rains spreading over 1/3rd of India, across South and West India including Mumbai, Kochi and Chennai.

While domestic flights in India recommenced by 25 May, however, the much awaited International travel is expected to resume with opening of bookings beginning from 22 July, as announced by Air India.

NEWS ON EDUCATION

  • The CBSE board Grade 12 results were declared on July 15 with a huge spike in the number of top scores. On the contrary, Grade 10 results showed a dip in the percentage of students who scored above 90% overall. But students who may not be satisfied with the marks have the option of appearing for their board exams scheduled at a later date.
  • The ICSE board results were declared on July 10, and digitally signed mark sheets and the passing certificates were made available to students through the DigiLocker facility by July 12.
  • The Union Education Ministry is finalising guidelines for digital education in schools. For instance, limiting the time span of online classes to not more than 90-120 mins on weekdays alone and involving parent and volunteers to help teachers.
  • UGC (University Grants Commission) revised its guidelines. University final year exams will now be conducted by the end of September 2020.

INDIAN SUBCONTINENT & SOUTHEAST ASIA UPDATES

Pakistan: In a recent statement by top government officials, the spread of novel coronavirus has lately been showing a downward trend. The country has registered 265,082 infections and 5,599 deaths to date. On the education front, the Ministry of Education along with others is investigating online learning issues and internet connectivity faced by students across the country. Secondary school Certificate (SSC, Grade 10) Part-II Annual Exams 2020 results were announced on July 20. While the annual examination could not be conducted completely, the results had been prepared under the Promotion Policy of Federal Government. The All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association (APPSCA) announced reopening of educational institutes from August 15, rejecting the federal government’s decision to reopen in September.

Bangladesh: To avoid the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, a night curfew is in place in the country from 10 PM to 5 AM till August 3. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh announced that all international commercial passenger flights from Bahrain, Bhutan, Hong Kong, India, Kuwait, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Thailand shall not be allowed to land at any airport in Bangladesh, until further notice. From June 1, domestic commercial passenger flights have resumed on a limited scale. Students who have passed the SSC and equivalent examinations can apply for college admissions online from August 9 to September 15. Details about the admission process will be published on Dhaka Education Board’s website.

Nepal: Ministry of Education, Science & Technology on July 16 announced that students who wished to study abroad will be able to apply through their website. Students already holding a Letter of Acceptance from a foreign institution could fill the application form at www.noc.moest.gov.np  and request for an NOC.

Sri Lanka: WHO Country Rep Dr. Razia Pendse said that Sri Lanka, despite its modest means, has been able to control the COVID-19 pandemic more effectively than more resourced countries. Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections, which were postponed twice in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, will be held on August 5. Grades 5, 11 and 13 have resumed schooling earlier this month with extended hours for Grade 13 students. In the next phase, students of Grade 12 and 10 returned to school on July 20 . Remaining students will resume schooling on July 27 and August 10.

Vietnam: Students across Vietnam return to schools after three months of studying online. On July 21, the country reached a record 96 consecutive days of no cases of COVID-19 community transmission. The Ministry of Health confirmed 401 cases, however out of them 365 patients recovered and got discharged. Government economic advisors have stated that economic growth is seeing a slow down to 3-4%. Frequency of domestic flights will increase depending on demand.

Philippines: Manila is under general community quarantine until end of July. The Government is set to reinstate stricter curbs if a rise in new cases and deaths does not slow down. Daily new cases reported in July remain above 1500. The Government is responding to a request from education stakeholders plan to expand the application of the Special Education Fund with the implementation of the new blended learning scheme amid the COVID-19 health crisis.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: TOP STUDY DESTINATIONS

USA

  • Several institutions have welcomed the news of backtracking from plans to deport International Students whose campuses moved online. However, they fear the relief may only be temporary as they anticipate more such provocative measure and statements  vis-a-vis immigrants.
  • Fulbright, the U.S. Government’s premier academic exchange program for Honk Kong and for mainland China, has been cancelled.

UK

  • University and College Union (UCU) has launched a ‘Fund the Future Campaign’ which urges the government to provide “emergency support for universities to cover income lost due to the pandemic”. UK universities face a huge hit as 1 in 5 students plan to defer.
  • EU students will lose their home fee advantage from 2021 onwards in England. The tuition fee increase would see 84% students drop their UK study plan. Canada is an alternate destination for 5% of EU students.
  • UK universities are testing a new online teaching link for Chinese students to comply with internet restrictions in China.

Australia

  • The country has recommenced granting of student visas in all locations outside Australia, to avoid delays when travel restrictions are lifted.
  • International students unable to complete their studies due to COVID-19 with their original visas are now allowed to apply for an extension free of charge.
  • Current student visa holders studying online outside Australia, and graduates with a student visa who were unable to return due to COVID-19, are both eligible to apply for post-study work visa.
  • The English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) has had a large drop of 5% in student numbers for the first time since 2012 to 170,000 in 2019.

New Zealand

  • Universities want to run a trial quarantine system for foreign students with more input from the government so they can develop a quarantine model for International students.
  • While New Zealand is now a COVID free country, Universities are urging the Government to open New Zealand’s border for International students which may bring some risk.

Maple Initiatives

  1. Our next bi-monthly Q&A Instagram Live series with Immigration lawyer and CEO of Visto, Josh Schachnow will take place this Friday. The sessions are an effort to answer all the queries and doubts students have around IRCC updates, travel restrictions and exemptions, and the impact of COVID-19 on study and work permits. Catch it Live on 24 July at 9:00 am ET / 6:30 pm IST on our Instagram channel @mapleassistcanada
  2. 17 July: The Interaction with Brock University where we hosted Victoria Steel (Associate Director of International Market Development) and Megha Srivastava (Relationship Manager – India and South Asia Markets) was attended by 200 participants and its IGTV seen by over 300 viewers. The Live covered important aspects for prospective students like online learning, support initiatives for students around the COVID-19, and updates for Fall 2020 and January 2021.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Leave a Comment

Subcontinent & Southeast Asia Connect- 8 July 2020Covid-19 Mailer- Indian Subcontinent and South Asia
EDU-CONNECT ASIA 5 August 2020Covid-19 Mailer- Indian Subcontinent and South Asia