Hello Reader,
We are delighted to present to you the August 2019 issue of EduChat. In this edition, we have introduced a new section called ‘Funding Opportunities’ which highlights collaborative initiatives under the UK India Education & Research Initiative.
We further feature two reports under the section ‘Digital Future’, the former on the launch of an Ed-Tech hub by the UK government and the latter on the expansion of India’s most valued Ed-Tech company, Byju’s. Subsequently, the section on ‘Insights’ highlights a report on Data Science and the section on ‘Superstats’ includes an article on foreign enrolments in Germany.
This edition also covers a mixture of ‘News’ on a range of higher education-related subjects such as, increase in inbound numbers at Chinese institutions, highlights of Indian budget 2019, increasing partnerships and collaborations in Malaysia, launch of UAE’s new AI Institute, and more.
Best wishes and thank you in advance for your feedback which would help us to improve the quality and impact of the forthcoming issues.
Happy Reading!
Digital Future
UK government launches global
Ed-Tech hub
A surge in India’s most valued Ed-Tech company valuation
Funding Opportunities
UK India Education & Research Initiative (UKIERI) funds collaborative activity between India and the UK in academic leadership, research and skills
The UK India Education & Research Initiative (UKIERI) Mobility Programme: Study in India provides flexible grants to UK higher education institutions (HEIs) and their Indian partner institutions to design and deliver academically rigorous short-term mobility opportunities in India for undergraduate students from UK HEIs. UKIERI will also be working with its stakeholders to contribute to policy dialogues that help to develop and implement education policies in India and the UK.
Super Stats
An annual trends report from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) shows that the number of international students in Germany has climbed once again, with 374,580 foreign students enrolled in German universities in 2018, up from 358,900 in 2017. This represents 4.4% growth, slightly less than the 5.5% growth the previous year.
Key Findings:
- Chinese students compose 13% of international students in German universities; an increase by 5.5% since 2017.
- The Indian market contributes 6% of the international student population; grew by an impressive 13% from 2017 to 2018 to 17,295 students.
- Germany’s other top sending markets include Austria (11,130, up 5.5%), Russia (10,975, down 3%), Italy (8,910, up 4%), Syria (8,620, up 69%).
Insights
Data Science in the New Economy
As the Fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds, led by advances in technologies such as data science and artificial intelligence, the labour market is again changing in a fundamental fashion. The composition of the new labour market is changing with new depth and dynamism that has not previously existed. This report focuses on data science, among the most competitive skills of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
NEWS
Brazil
Increasing Australian higher education export to Latin America
Brazil medical educator Afya plans acquisitions, international expansion
Collaborative initiative delivers hepatitis B vaccine
Generally, Latin countries are increasingly well-represented in the Australian education sector. This market is growing so rapidly across many different Latin American countries. Students from Brazil are one of the most well-represented in the country.
Brazilian medical education group Afya Ltd (AFYA.O) plans to double the number of undergraduate students, acquire companies and expand internationally. By 2025, the number of undergraduate medical degree students is likely to reach 10,000 from the current 5,000.
Brazilian and European researchers have demonstrated a nanotechnology-based compound which delivers an oral vaccine against hepatitis B to the immune system. The nanostructured silica was developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo’s Physics Institute (IF-USP) in Brazil. The antigen was created by the Butantan Institute, which is also in São Paulo.
China
China recorded slight increase in inbound numbers in 2018
China’s push to expand vocational education
Report: China leading the way in Internet usage, tech innovations and AI
The number of international students studying at Chinese institutions reached more than 492,000 in 2018. Chinese HEIs face challenges in terms of, attracting quality students, providing quality programmes and removing barriers between Chinese students and international students.
The Chinese government has designated about USD15 billion to expand vocational training system. This system will enable some universities transform into “Universities of Applied Sciences,” with graduates acquiring specialised vocational certificates in high-priority fields.
The recently released 2019 China Internet Report, published by research firm Abacus and the Alibaba-owned South China Morning Post newspaper, provided insights into China’s fast-moving internet industry as well as its drive to be a global leader for innovation.
India
Budget 2019: Focus on research and new age skills – robotics and AI
HRD ministry releases EQUIP, a vision plan for the future of higher education
HRD Minister launches UGC scheme of ‘Paramarsh’ to promote quality assurance in Indian higher education sector
In the Union Budget 2019 presented in the first week of July, Finance Minister proposed a range of major changes for India’s education system. The government will bring in a new National Educational Policy and a National Research Foundation; highlighting the focus on youth and employment.
To transform the higher education sector in the country, the Ministry of Human Resource Development released a five-year vision plan termed as Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme (EQUIP), with key emphasis on access, innovation, employment and research.
Higher education institutions that have failed to meet the quality standards of the National Assessment Accreditation Council (NAAC) can now get mentorship from the top universities and colleges under the Paramarsh scheme of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Malaysia
Eastern Institute of Technology signs with Sunway University in Malaysia
More Malaysian institutions to get recognised by China
Malaysia and Japan to boost digital economy agreement
New Zealand’s Eastern Institute of Technology and Malaysia’s Sunway University to collaborate on education programmes. The two institutions work together to promote 2+1 bachelors’ agreement, and student and teacher exchanges between New Zealand and Malaysia.
Malaysia is looking forward to more of its higher learning institutions recognised by the Chinese government with an aim to attract more Chinese students and to facilitate greater cooperation. Currently, 20,000 Chinese nationals are studying in Malaysia.
Malaysia and Japan plan to develop strategy to promote technological renovation and innovation. With this agreement, Malaysia will restructure its business & industrial ecosystems and explore opportunities in innovative digital technologies to promote regional development.
UAE
UAE signs MoU with IRENA to Introduce Renewable Energy Studies
UAE to build innovation centre in Senegal
New UAE-based institute to boost students’ Artificial Intelligence skills
UAE’s Minister of education and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) had signed an agreement on the integration of renewable energy and sustainable development. This will help UAE to achieve its target which is in line with United Nations’ 2030 sustainable development goals.
UAE to build innovation centre in Senegal to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among local businesses. The new centre will have a capital of USD 20 million to help fund special programmes and initiatives aimed towards promoting innovation and SME development.
A new institute dedicated to teaching Artificial Intelligence applications to university students has been launched in Abu Dhabi on Monday (July 15). The AI Institute will bring all the university’s research in robotics, artificial intelligence, cyber-security and data science under a single umbrella.
Vietnam
More universities to get higher accreditations
Vietnam’s pharmaceutical sector tipped for success
Vietnam and Armenia continue to expand their cooperation
More Vietnamese universities are getting accredited in recent past. The 2019 QS University Rankings Asia includes the top seven universities of Vietnam. This accreditation will ensure high levels of autonomy to allow universities to open new joint international bachelor and postgraduate programmes.
Pharmaceutical growth in Vietnam is high due to stable political climate, 95 million population and trained human resources. The total drug imports have also increased to USD 3.7 billion, up 8.8% year-on-year due to growing local demand.
Vietnam and Armenia to enhance co-operation in economy trade, science and technology focusing education, healthcare, sports, tourism, security and defence sector. The bilateral ties will grow trade and investments between the countries.
The U.S. – India Knowledge Exchange Delegation to India
Facilitating Partnerships, Advancing Research, Fostering Innovation, and Spurring Entrepreneurship.
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