EDUCONNECT ASIA 2 SEPTEMBER 2020

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INDIA: LATEST UPDATES

India enters Unlock 4.0 from September 1, and the Government is likely to issue fresh guidelines that mention some prohibited activities while all else will be allowed to resume. The COVID-19 tally went past 3 Million on August 23 and the total number of cases are now 3,769,523. There has been an improved recovery rate of 76.84% and the fatality rate is down to 1.77%, which has been on a downward trajectory for some time. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka continue to contribute the maximum number of cases. It is felt that schools and colleges may not open anytime soon in the current scenario. All social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious events are prohibited.

Unlock 4 will ease transportation in India, however, air travel will continue to operate in a calibrated manner with only on-scheduled flights, international flights under air bubble agreement, domestic flights and repatriation flights being allowed. In addition to the bilateral air bubble agreement with US, Canada, Germany and France, India will start flights with the UK from September 1 under a similar arrangement.

EDUCATION UPDATES

Schools and Colleges may not reopen anytime soon but deliberations are underway to allow the reopening of higher education institutions such as universities, colleges, IITs and IIMs. Students of classes 9-12 may be permitted to visit schools from September 21. However, schools, colleges, other educational institutions will continue to remain closed till 30 September for regular classes.

UGC has argued that exams are a must to protect the academic future of students, and students cannot be promoted without examinations. Final examinations must be held this year, but states can ask for dates to be deferred beyond September 30. Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for admission to undergraduate engineering programs begins today and will continue till September 6. NEET, an exam for UG medical courses, will be held on September 13.

The National Education Policy 2020 is being considered an ambitious and futuristic policy that ensures opportunities for children to hone their talents by fixing the education system. It is seen as recognising the urgency of foundational learning with  the shift from the 10+2 system to the 5+3+3+4 with foundation, preparatory, middle, and secondary stages. The emphasis on skills like analysis, critical thinking, conceptual clarity and co-curricular and vocational subjects will diversify their learning.

SUBCONTINENT & SOUTHEAST ASIA UPDATES

Pakistan: The country recorded a total of 295,849 cases with only 213 new cases reported on the last day of August. Educational institutes plan to reopen from mid-September after a 6 month break, but a meeting with higher management will be held on 7 September to take the final decision on this. The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) and the Pakistan Alliance for Girls Empowerment (PAGE) have agreed to collaborate towards the empowerment of girls through education with a focus on innovative programmes, projects, and research methodologies.

Bangladesh: Bangladesh has reported over 308,900 cases. No decision has yet been taken on when the educational institutions will reopen, and when the HSC and equivalent examinations will be held taking into account the health risk posed by COCID-19. UGC has permitted private universities to hold online exams in order to complete running semesters, which have already completed 70% of the syllabus with 60% attendance.

Nepal: Nepal’s coronavirus cases crosses the 40,000 mark. Preparations are being made to conduct semester and annual examinations after the Dashain festival that falls in October. The postponed exams will likely begin by the end of November 2020. Businesses are contributing by helping schools operate in a digital capacity and by granting non-cash to create Fuse Classroom platforms. An AI company with global expertise is enabling educational institutions to run completely online or in a blended modality while making it easy and affordable for students to get an education. Nepal on Tuesday resumed international flights for Nepali nationals, diplomats, and development partners, but not for tourists.

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka surpassed the 3,000 Covid mark but with 2,579 recoveries. On Monday, the country fully reopened schools after they were closed for over four months due to the imposed lockdown. The school syllabus from Grade 1 to Grade 13 will be revised from next year to bring it at par with international standards. Sri Lankan Airlines is ready to resume flights that connects the island to global destinations.

Vietnam: Today, the streets of Vietnam have been decorated with flags, flowers and banners to celebrate the 75th anniversary of their National Day. No new COVID-19 cases have been reported, marking the fourth consecutive day without infections. Further to previous announcements, Vietnam will start schools in early September. The country launched the National Data Portal which will enhance new digital services in the process. This move is in-line with Vietnam aiming to become number one in the world in the field of high-end technology. The country’s Civil Aviation Authority is working on a plan to resume international flights from September 15.

Philippines: On September 1, 3,483 more cases were reported in the country, bringing the total to 224,264. The education sector is under immense pressure as the country shifts to online learning. The Government announced a 1 billion Peso college aid to finance the tertiary education subsidy for children of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been displaced due to the COVID crisis. Commission of Higher Education (CHED) has directed schools and colleges to defer opening classes if they aren’t prepared for the new normal of education delivery.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: TOP STUDY DESTINATIONS

USA

  • US Student and Exchange Visitor Program data shows a slight decline in international student numbers in 2019. Asia remains the number one continent of origin for active F-1 and M-1 students. 48% of active SEVP records come from China and India. Africa and Australia are the only regions which have seen growth in student numbers.
  • US embassies in India will accept drop box applications for certain visa categories, including the renewals for H1B and L1 visas that fall under the immigration ban announced by the President. The denial rates for H-1B visas for initial employment were at 29% for the first two quarters of the year.

UK

  • After the Government’s u-turn on A-Level grades, the number of domestic students are expected to rise for some institutions. But UK Universities are making an effort to ensure enough places are available for international students.
  • UK Research and Innovation updated its eligibility criteria to attract global talent, and to give access to funded PhD programs from academic year 2021-22.
  • The new post-study work visa, or Graduate Route, has come in force starting from the 2020-21 academic year. It has been observed that visas granted to Indian nationals to study at UK universities have more than doubled over the past year.

Australia

  • New legislation could allow the federal government to cancel any international agreements between local authorities or public institutions and foreign governments, which could impact Universities’ relations with overseas partners.

Germany

  • Before the start of the new semester, the country has announced that it will not issue new visas to international students if they are enrolled in a program which is completely taught online.

France

  • France becomes the first country to open its borders and consular services for Indian students, researchers and teachers who have been invited by French establishments or Laboratories. Seven French visa processing centres became operational from August 17 to begin receiving select visa applications.  

Maple Initiatives

  • 28 August: Maple Assist hosted a webinar for International Students interested in studying in Canada. The webinar was an interaction with IRCC Representatives Ms. Jaquie Maclean and Mr. Shikhir Gupta who shared updates on study permits, travel restrictions, AIP, new PGWP developments, and more through a presentation followed by a detailed Q&A. The session had over 700 registration and was attended by over 600 participants. 
  • Upcoming Webinars: Maple Assist is collaborating with University of Victoria this month to host a 2-part Webinar Series for students from across South East Asia: Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The webinars will cover information of interest to prospective international students on applications, programs, co-op and other opportunities at the University.

Stay tuned for a big announcement about Africa from WWEC next week!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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