INDIA: LATEST UPDATES

India has registered about 750,000 COVID-19 case counts till July 8^th. However, the recovery rate has climbed to a healthy 61%. The new Unlock 2.0 phase prohibits states to seal their borders, even though states are allowed to impose need-based restrictions or lockdowns. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi continue to be the worst-hit states and contribute nearly 61% (60.93%) of the total case counts in India. Some states such as West Bengal and Odisha have re-imposed lockdowns while others including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have tightened restrictions in hotspots. During the lockdown phase, economy functioned at 50%-57% of capacity, but resumption of manufacturing units and services in the unlock phase has contributed towards stabilizing inflation and improved economic performance. According to VFS Global, visa application process has resumed for select categories for the following countries: UK, Ireland, South Korea, Turkey, UAE, Italy, Norway, Belarus, Denmark, Dominican Republic and Portugal with the approval of their respective embassies in India.  

NEWS ON EDUCATION

• Results for 4662 IB scholars in India were released on July 6, with a pass rate of 85.84%. The average DP score of 31.98 surpasses the global average of 29.90 points. However, a section of students are still not satisfied with this year’s grading process.
• The CBSE board decided to declare the Grade 12 result by July 15 next week. 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 will assess students based on best three papers, a project and practical work. The results will most probably be declared before July 15.
• 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: COUNTRY-WISE UPDATES

Pakistan: The country imposed a ‘smart lockdown’ targeting hotspots around the country, even as complete lockdown ended in May to boost economic activity. Educational institutions might not open before August. However, different regions governed by regional parties may issue different rules and guidelines for opening schools. Some schools and universities have shifted classes online. National television has introduced instructional videos which have a wider audience across the country. Grade 12 examinations are cancelled and student will be auto-promoted. University final year exams will not be cancelled but will be conducted online or offline at a future date (undecided as yet).

Bangladesh: The country had lifted complete lockdown last month, but partial lockdown or selective restrictions were extended to August 3^rd. Schools and colleges remain closed for students till August 6^th, but reopened for administrative staff earlier last month. Classes are being broadcasted over national television. A new online platform for learning was launched about two weeks ago. HSC exams will be held after the country passes through the COVID-19 peak. The number of subjects that a student is tested on might be reduced and students will be given a 15 days’ notice before exams.

Nepal: Complete lockdown was lifted last month and the partial lockdown with eased restrictions came into effect on June 15^th. The partial lockdown allowed resumption of non-essential businesses and services. The same format will be extended upto July 22^nd. China has offered to pay teachers’ salary in private schools if they teach Mandarin, according to some reports. Grade 10 and grade 11 centralized exams were cancelled and students will be evaluated based on internal assessments. Decision on grade 12 examinations is yet to be announced by National Education Board.

Sri Lanka: The country lifted its country-wide lockdown and curfew over a month ago but people are required to follow social distancing guidelines in public places. Domestic tourism has resumed, albeit with conditions. Schools reopened for Grades 5, 11 and 13 on July 6^th. Grades 10 and 12 will resume in-person classes on July 24^th. GCE A/L Exams will be held between September 7^th and October 2^nd.

Vietnam: Vietnam was one of the first countries to lift its lockdown and reopen businesses and schools after successfully containing COVID-19. High school examinations will be conducted in August. Detailed news on high school examinations was published in our last mailer. Canadian visa application services have also resumed in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.

Philippines: Two-day lockdown was imposed in parts of metropolitan Manila following a surge in cases. The country plans to follow a cautious approach to reopening of businesses. Meanwhile, Philippines is lifting its ban on non-essential international travel for round-trip journeys, provided appropriate visa and health insurance documents are secured for countries that will allow travel to and from Philippines. Private institutions have shifted classes online, but reports suggest that their accessibility is limited. The Government plans to instil distance learning modalities for public schools but experts say that such a program is far from ready. Lenovo has collaborated with Microsoft to design a program that will help schools in Philippines to transition to e-learning.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: TOP INTERNATIONAL STUDY DESTINATIONS

USA

Students currently enrolled in online programmes must leave the country or transfer to institutions offering in-person or blended delivery programs. The move is directed to prompt institutions to offer blended program delivery and move away from exclusive online instructions.

UK

• As a part of their Research and Development Roadmap, the UK Government announced plans to set up an “Office for Talent” to oversee visas and make it easier to attract incoming talent post-Brexit.
• The new UK post-study work visa, the ‘Graduate Route’ will be introduced for international students graduating from the summer of 2021.  PhD scholars graduating from 2021 will be eligible to live and work in UK for three years post their degree, while Masters’ students will have a visa extension of two years after their graduation.

Australia

• A controlled pilot program for the return of a limited number of international students for semester 2 will be starting in July.
• The country is considering cutting the two-week quarantine period to one week for students from countries with low infection rates. Though Australia’s borders remain closed to overseas visitors, an exception has been made for international students.

New Zealand

International students are unlikely to return to New Zealand this year, according to the country’s Finance Minister Grant Robertson. The Government is planning to establish requisite quarantine facilities before asking students to come back.

Maple Initiatives

1. “Social media marketing is by no means an unexplored territory, but each new innovation in this domain suggests that its full potential has not yet been realized…”Part II of our article series on digital marketing published in Academica Forum’s Top Ten delves on the many ways institutions can leverage their social media presence. For a detailed read, please click here.
2. Maple Assist powered Instagram Live session with Brock University’s Student Ambassador on 3^rd July was fruitful with a turnaround of over 200 unique participants and more than 300 IGTV views. The student ambassador engaged with prospective applicants and those looking to study in Canada by sharing her personal experience as an international student at Brock. She also provided an intimate perspective on how the university supported international students during these unprecedented times. The next online session with Brock University will follow later this month. Speaker testimony: “This was by far one of the best live sessions I’ve attended. The questions were great and it was such a pleasure interacting with Maple Assist!”
3. Introducing a Q&A series on Instagram with Josh Schachnow with the sole purpose of focusing on student queries on Canadian immigration, and making sure students are heard and get some answers. So catch us live for the first Q&A session on Friday, 10 July at 6.30pm IST/ 9.00am ET on our Instagram channel @mapleassistcanada
4. Maple Assist is launching its Wellness Webinar Series next week. Times are challenging, and the CoVid-19 pandemic has brought about a whole host of changes that requires domestic and international students to adjust to developing circumstances. Our first webinar on ‘The New Normal: Learning Acceptance and Ways of Moving Forward in the pandemic,’ will be hosted on the coming Monday, 13 July, and aims to offer mental health support, so that students can learn to manage stress and focus their energies on planning better for the future. Our panel of experts, including 2 trained sports psychologists and a career counsellor, will share guidance on coping with the ‘new normal’ for students. Others are also welcome to join.For those interested in attending the session, or sharing the event with their existing and incoming students, webinar details are available here

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• For International Recruitment Solutions: https://worldeduconnect.com/
• Maple Assist curated Blog: https://www.mapleassist.com/blogs/
• Scotiabank Resources for Newcomers to Canada: https://startright.scotiabank.com/covid-19-resources.html