HE News Brief 23.8.11

by Abby Chau

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• UNITED STATES: California's beleaguered higher education system
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• SINGAPORE: Cap on foreign student numbers
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• AUSTRALIA: International student woes
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• UNITED KINGDOM: New report by HEPI looks into UK higher ed system
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  • California's beleaguered financial state has been widely reported. In the last four years, the state has seen its funding for education shrink and many are lamenting that the state, well-known to once be the 8^th largest economy in the world and spawning the Silicon Valley revolution, will have one million fewer graduates by 2025 then what is required to sustain a growing economy. A study by UC Berkeley found that every dollar that is invested in higher education, the state sees a $3 return because graduates contribute more to the economy and are less likely to rely on welfare. With the combined situation of tuition fees doubling at the state level and increasing at UCs, reduced classes in community colleges, some are saying that the key to recuperating the economy is investing heavily in skilled labour.Full Story: Time
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  • Whilst most countries are looking to increase international student numbers, Singapore has announced that it will cap numbers on foreign students, and increase places for domestic students in order to balance the classroom. At present 18% of students enrolled are international students, which says Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loon, should be reduced. The government is looking to lower the percentage to 15%. The prime minister also promised more scholarships and bursaries for domestic students and said that enrolment for domestic students is set to hit 30%, up from 25% currently.Full Story: University World News
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  • It has been widely reported recently that Australia is suffering from a downtown of international students, particularly from India and China, both of which are sending 63% and 24 % fewer students respectively. When government support for higher ed began to fall in the mid-90s, some Australian universities turned to the ripe market in Asia for international students, who pay higher fees. However recent events, including a widely publicised attack on Indian students in Melbourne has turned the tide away from the popular destination. Stricter government policies also has worsened the situation even as studies have shown that international students make up almost a quarter of income for universities. However some are reporting that the new shift is not affecting all universities equally and that some are faring better than others.Full Story: The Chronicle of Higher Education
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  • The Higher Education Policy Institute has recently released a report which states that allowing universities to vie for top AAB+ students may have consequences. The report goes on to say that institutions will find the practice unsustainable. There is also a possibility that universities will be dropping their fees to £7,500 from the current £9,000.Full Story: BBC News