Note From the Editor
Amid the uncertainty caused by the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the international education sector and the government respond to aid affected international students. For instance, Australia has prioritized Ukrainians in various visa programs. Meanwhile, African students as one of the majority of foreign students in Ukraine get crowdfunded support to expedite their exile from the war-torn country.
In other news, more headways in easing the mobilization of international students in a post-pandemic world are observed.
Ukrainian Visas Prioritized After Invasion
Ukrainian citizens who have applied for Australian visas have been prioritized following the recent invasion from Russia. There are now 430 visa applications from Ukrainians that will be prioritized, as global condemnation of Russia’s aggression grows. It has been announced that all Ukrainian citizens who live in Australia would have their visa extended by six months, following the situation in Eastern Europe. Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said he was considering further options for support for Ukraine through humanitarian, skilled, student, and other visa programs.
‘Hong Kong Is Not Going To Be Under the Rule of Law’: More Than 100,000 Apply for New Visa to Britain
Launched in January 2021, the British National (Overseas) or BNO visa program has now resulted in 103,900 applications from Hong Kongers to move to Britain. The BNO visa grants Hong Kongers the right to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom. Although some visa applicants experienced fast and convenient application processing, they claim that there are a number of challenges to face in resettling to the UK.
Experts Worry About Effects of Fewer US College Students
At the onset of the pandemic, the number of Americans going to college has dropped by 1 million. Education experts and economists are starting to think about the long-term effects if the drop continues. Jason Lane, leader of the College of Education, Health and Society at Miami University in Ohio, said that this is a “crisis” that is not widely recognized. Adriana Lleras-Muney, an economist from the University of California-Los Angeles said, the growing education gap could also worsen existing divisions over politics, socioeconomic status, race, and national origin.
International Students in Metro Vancouver Turn to Food Bank As Prices Keep Climbing
International students spend around $1,000 a month on basics—including housing, phone, internet, medical expenses—while earning less than that, according to Kiranjeet Kaur, an international student in Canada. When she realized that she needed help with food, she discovered Guru Nanak Food Bank in Surrey and became a member. Neeraj Walia, the director of Guru Nanak Food Bank, says he sees young people from around the world. Walia says the food bank opened in 2020 with a focus on international students from South Asia and other countries who were facing the same issue of food insecurity.
Irish Higher Education Is Under Threat From Global Cheating Industry
Irish higher education is under threat from a multi-billion global industry of cheating which could involve up to 10 percent of students. The Oireachtas committee on education heard that contract cheating is a growing problem and that universities need targeted funding to help protect the integrity and quality of learning and teaching. Dr. Anna Murphy, senior strategic adviser at the state’s education quality watchdog, quality and qualifications Ireland (QQI) said a “sustained, multi-pronged, collaborative effort is needed to support academic integrity, tackle cheating and the global cheating industry so that we maintain the quality, integrity, and reputation of Irish higher education”.
Semblance Of Normalcy As International Students Return
Recent government announcements have provided some welcome clarity about the return of international students to New Zealand. Their immediate focus right now is on making the best possible key steps to progressively reopen the borders. These steps are the fourth cohort of up to 5000 international students as a border exception, with visa processing from mid-April in time for students to start their studies. Visa applications will be open for all international students by October, in time for students to arrive at the start of the 2023 year. Over the coming weeks, the government will work closely with peak bodies, education providers, and the Ministry of Education to finalize the allocation of these places to individual providers. In this respect, New Zealand has been able to set up an online system that should streamline the application process.
Colorado’s International Student Population Has Plummeted
During the past two years, recruiting new international students and supporting those already on campus has been a significant challenge for American universities. According to a recent report released by the Institute of International Education, total international student enrollment in the United States was down 15 percent in 2020-2021 compared with the previous year, dipping below a million total for the first time in almost a decade. New international student enrollment, which began to crater during former President Donald Trump’s administration, dropped by almost 50 percent in 2020-2021 compared with 2019-2020.
Working To Support Youth at Home and Abroad
Mélanie Valcin is among CBC Quebec’s Black Changemakers 2022. Early in her career, she has been a great enabler of aspiring international students during the time she served as a coordinator of international exchange programs. The global learners she helped study abroad gained autonomy, openness, and cultural sensitivity– three of the core values that international education hone among foreign students.
‘I Want To Be Home:’ Overseas Students in Ukraine Seek Safe Routes Out
International students studying at medical schools in Dnipro are seeking routes out of Ukraine as Russian troops move across the country. Explosions were heard in the central Ukrainian city early on Thursday morning after Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale offensive on the country. About 2,000 foreign nationals study at Dnipro Medical Institute, a number of whom responded to a Guardian callout for voices on the ground.
Foreign Students Fleeing Ukraine Say They Face Segregation, Racism at Border
As African international students face dire conditions amid the Russian invasion of the second-largest country in Europe, global learners fleeing Ukraine started a movement using the hashtag #AfricansinUkraine to raise funds and help in moving them out of the borders. Meanwhile, Kenyan Ambassador to the United Nations Martin Kimani said on Monday that they condemn racism and called for the mistreatment of African peoples on Europe’s borders to stop immediately.
Enhancing Temporary Visa Settings To Support Australia’s Economic Recovery
In the hopes of accelerating Australia’s COVID-19 economic recovery, the Morrison Government has been making a range of visa enhancements. One of these is the 24-month extension for Skilled-Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476) visa holders; permission to let Training (Subclass 407) visa holders work longer hours; and temporary visa holders to gain access to the COVID-19 Pandemic Event (Subclass 408) visas which will incur no visa application charge for a 6-12-month period if they work in any sector of the AU economy.
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