New French proficiency reqs in Canada, UK’s deregistration of foreign students, and more in this week’s MSM Reporter

The Montreal government is reportedly gearing up to significantly increase university tuition for domestic students from other provinces, lower rates for francophone students from France and Belgium (and maybe Switzerland), and potentially introduce a new measure requiring 80% of international students to reach intermediate French proficiency by graduation. McGill and Concordia universities sounded the alarm on the tuition hike and French proficiency rules, warning they may scare off many students and lead to a catastrophic revenue drop. Back in October, the government announced an almost double the out-of-province rate at CA$17,000 (US$12,736), which is now reportedly ready to be set by Quebec at CA$12,000 (US$8,992) or a 33% increase versus current rates. 

International students at Princeton University face challenges in planning their travel home after finals, as the final exam schedule often clashes with their holiday plans. With winter break approaching, students are making various plans, such as returning home, staying on campus, or visiting friends globally. For many of them, these plans hinge on the final exam schedule, which they believe is released too late and extends too close to the holiday season. Changing the academic calendar has been a topic of conversation during this year’s Undergraduate Student Government (USG) vice-presidential debate, with proposals to move the academic calendar one week earlier to highlight how students may be caught in transit near Christmas due to a snow storm or in airport rush.

Universities in the United Kingdom have reportedly deregistered foreign students, including Nigerians, from their academic programs. This development has led to the advice for these students to leave the UK, as well as sparked a wave of concern and discussion on social media platforms such as X/Twitter. Social media users have emphasized the complexities arising from new policies, which stipulate that students must complete their studies before being allowed to change their status. Inquiries about the eligibility of these deregistered students to work part-time were also raised, with unofficial clarifications that part-time work eligibility depends on enrollment status. Besides disrupting academic plans and life trajectories, the decision is feared to leave many international students in a state of uncertainty and distress.

In the wake of Australia’s tightening of the eligibility of temporary work visas, some international students have been left with confusion and anger. The new policy, announced by Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil as a “migration strategy” in a bid to overhaul the “broken” migration system, dictates that the maximum eligible age for international students to get a temporary graduate work visa will reduced from 50 to 35 years old. Some foreign students currently studying the skills in demand fear the updated policy will mean they will be unable to work in Australia if they graduate after turning 36. Aside from the age limit, students applying for a graduate visa from early 2024 will require a score under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) of 6.5 (up from 6.0), while student visa applicants will need a 6.0 (up from 5.5).

Immigration New Zealand has announced the acceptance of the IELTS One Skill Retake option to create “a more personalized and accommodating environment for aspiring students.” If a test taker falls short of the desired score in any of the four skills – namely Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking – they may retake the test with the retake option. When a test taker opts for an IELTS One Skill Retake, they will receive a second Test Report Form (TRF) with their updated score. Immigration New Zealand considers this a legitimate method of evaluating English language competency, satisfying the rigorous standards for foreign immigration to the country. 

Safeguard international students from fraud and abuse, the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) has urged the federal government following the latter’s announcement of increased cost-of-living financial requirements for international students effective Jan. 1, 2024. While CAUT acknowledges the minister’s acknowledgment of the vulnerability of international students to abuse, Executive Director David Robinson said that simply elevating the financial threshold is insufficient and “isn’t going to solve the problem.” Instead the group calls for more concrete measures cracking down on “misleading and unethical international student recruitment agents and low-quality private educational institutions,” which they say are “selling false promises of pathways to permanent residency.”

Government data has revealed that 28 Indian students have been deported from the US to India in 2023, as disclosed by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan last Friday. The official adds that the Indian government has expressed concerns to US authorities regarding such instances and requested fairness when it comes to the entry of Indian students who hold valid student visas. According to the ministry, they are hosting outreach programs and issuing advisories to Indian nationals including students about safe and legal migration as well as being aware of fraudulent agents and fake job offers. The number of Indians pursuing postgraduate studies in the US has increased 63% in academic year 2022-23, surpassing China for the first time in 15 years.

The Czech Council of Higher Education Institutions has sharply objected to strict new penalties within the Czech Republic’s specialized student visa regime, which streamlines visa procedures for selected students from third countries. Pertaining to a resolution adopted in early December, the board argues blanket bans on universities’ access to the program unfairly hinder their internationalization efforts. The rules tighten the regulation of international students’ progress, penalizing both students and universities if certain criteria are not met. Universities, for instance, risk a one-year suspension from the student visa program if over 10% of students selected for the scheme fail to enroll, or if over 20% leave their programs within the first year of study. 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned edtech companies and colleges offering degrees in collaborative arrangements with foreign universities not recognized by the agency. None of the degrees will be valid in such cases, according to the UGC, warning students against taking admission in such courses. UGC says it is aware that some edtech firms are advertising in newspapers, social media, and television, offering degree and diploma programs in online mode in association with some foreign universities and institutions. Those arrangements are not permissible and won’t get recognition from UGC, it adds, calling for students and the public to exercise due caution and enroll in those courses “at their own risk.”

International students have expressed relief over the federal government’s decision to uphold a temporary policy lifting a 20-hour-per-week work cap until the school year ends. The work cap policy was set to expire on December 31, with the work limit initially lifted to tackle shortages in the country’s labor force. Some international students touted the policy extension as a huge relief, saying people are “ecstatic and hopeful for their future.” At the press conference announcing the extension, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada (IRCC) Minister Marc Miller said the temporary policy would be in effect until April 30, 2024, with the government looking at other policy options for international students. Based on federal data, over 80% of international students are currently working more than 20 hours a week.

The Malaysian Immigration Department has unveiled a visa liberalization plan seeking to attract foreign tourists and boost national income, positioning Malaysia as a key player in the investment and tourism sectors in the Asian region. The visa liberalization plan comprises several measures that will be in effect until Dec. 31, 2026, unless otherwise stated. A new Graduate Social Visit Pass (GSVP) is now available for international students from 23 countries who have completed or are about to complete a bachelor’s degree or higher in any Malaysian higher education institute. Accessible for a year and accompanied by a multiple entry visa, the GSVP grants access to tourism, study, and work in specific sectors, streamlining the process for those seeking extended stays.

Mist, promoted as an all-in-one finance and lifestyle app for international students, has raised $1.6 million in seed funding, as backed by Investible, Allectus Capital, Archangel Ventures, Seedspace, and The Hunter Angels. Mist intends to be the go-to app for international students as they relocate to another country to study and deal with their banking and telecommunications needs. As part of its initial in-app offerings, Mist will provide payments solutions, local accounts, a phone SIM, overseas health cover, and international student ID cards. Mist intends to tap into the sector that sees around 5 million people move overseas to study every year, with that number predicted to double to 10 million by 2030.

Hawai’i Pacific University is packed with a rich, 50-year-old history. With the excitement of an urban downtown campus, the serenity of the Ko’olau mountains, and an Oceanic Institute bordering the ocean, HPU’s campuses are as diverse as its students. With students from all 50 states and 65 countries, HPU is one of the most culturally diverse universities in the world, priding itself on its transparency and premium on student wellbeing, accolades for academic excellence, international diversity, and the affordability of the private education it offers. HPU is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and has a number of additional accreditations and memberships from nationally recognized groups.

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET) degree, which comes as a diploma or undergraduate program (2 or 3 year duration), demonstrates the innovative development and delivery of tech education at Cape Breton University in Canada. Dedicated to providing a one-of-a-kind education to fill a demand for one of today’s most lucrative careers, the BET degree program prepares students to meet the challenges and opportunities facing today’s technical graduates. Flexible and timely, it prepares learners for the working world with options for structuring their degree based on their personal career goals. The degree does not lead directly to a Professional Engineering designation, but provides a strong foundation to pursue a career in the engineering field.