University Scholars' Forum’s Post

Overview The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) programme supports high-calibre international students who wish to study at NFQ levels 9 or 10 (master’s, postgraduate diploma or PhD) in Ireland [1]. The programme is funded by the Government of Ireland in partnership with Irish higher education institutions (HEIs) and managed by the Higher Education Authority. Under the initiative, 60 scholarships are awarded each year for one year of full-time study at NFQ levels 9 or 10. What’s included A Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship consists of a stipend amounting to €10,000 for one year of full-time study at NFQ levels 9 or 10. The awardees’ host higher education institutions are required to give a full fee waiver to the awardees for the year of their scholarship. Successful scholars will be expected to commence their studies in either September or October 2025. Eligibility In order to be eligible for a Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship, applicants must have a domiciliary of origin outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Candidates will first need to apply for admission to a relevant master’s, postgraduate diploma or PhD programme offered by an eligible higher education institution as per that institution’s admission procedures. Applicants must have a conditional or final offer of admission to that higher education institution at the time of applying for the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship and will be required to submit a copy of same. Prospective candidates who have previously held a GOI-IES scholarship are not eligible to apply. In the context of the continued aggression of Russia in Ukraine, Russian and Belarussian nationals are not eligible to apply. How to apply Potential applicants should read the call documentation carefully to ascertain whether they are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted via the online portal. All applications require two references to be uploaded by the applicants via the online portal. It is recommended that candidates submit their applications well before the deadline, to avoid technical issues due to heavy server traffic on the respective day. Applications cannot be submitted once the deadline has passed. No alterations can be made to an application once it has been submitted. Key dates Application deadline 5pm (Irish time) 05 March 2025 Call outcome Early June 2024 [1] The programme was established under the Government’s International Education Strategy 2010–2015: Investing in Global Relationships and expanded under the successor strategy Irish Educated, Globally Connected (2016-2020). It is also linked to Ireland’s National Skills Strategy 2025 – Ireland’s Future and Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025. Application Link: https://lnkd.in/e9zFfMPe

Students of Transnational Education Programs exempted from the National Planning Level- The Australian Government is committed to strengthening the integrity and quality of its international education sector to ensure that it can grow sustainably over time. To support this, Government is legislating to introduce enrolment limits for new overseas students from 2025. Under the managed system, the Australian Government is introducing a National Planning Level of 270,000 for new overseas student commencements for the 2025 calendar year. The National Planning Level will apply to the higher education and vocational education and training (VET) sectors. The Australian Government supports providers to take Australian education and qualifications to the world. High quality transnational education builds important linkages and institutional partnerships, contributes to Australia’s research goals and efforts to support foreign policy priorities and complements Australia’s onshore education offerings. Transnational education programs that are entirely offshore are not subject to the National Planning Level. To recognise transnational education that is high quality, deeply engaged and that reinforces the quality, integrity and character of Australia’s education system in the international context, an exemption will apply to transnational higher education arrangements which have both onshore and offshore components, if their program of study satisfies the criteria below. Transnational higher education programs must meet the following criteria to be exempt from the National Planning Level: 1. The overseas component of study forms part of the delivery of a regulated Australian higher education award, and/or 2. The overseas study program is co-delivered by the Australian provider, and the program is registered with the official in-country regulatory authority as an Australian twinning or joint program arrangement, where the student transfers to Australia to gain the Australian award (or vice versa), and 3. No more than 60% of the Australian award’s course duration is to be completed in Australia, and 4. The arrangement was in place prior to 1 July 2024, or, for arrangements established after 1 July 2024, has been assessed as eligible for the exemption by the department.

CBIE is hosting an invitation-only event on May 22-23, 2024 in Ottawa, entitled National Dialogue on International Students: Charting a path forward for a sustainable and responsible international education sector. Canada’s international education sector is at a crossroads. Canada’s success in growing its international education sector has brought immeasurable benefits- not just for international students who study at our high-quality institutions, but for domestic students, and the institutions and the communities that receive them.      But with the sector’s unprecedented growth, pressure points have been building in select regions, institutions, programs, and communities. The number of international students opting for Canada has increased sharply. And against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, inflation and insufficient access to health care and affordable housing, consensus for how to address these pressure points is proving elusive.      Moreover, there are growing instances of international students reporting negative study experiences while in Canada. These include, among others: shortages of adequate, affordable housing; mental health issues; lack of diversity in classrooms; oversaturation of certain programs and destination cities; financial and work challenges; racism/intolerance and lack of integration into Canadian communities; etc.        These trends culminated in January 2024, with IRCC’s announcement of a temporary intake cap on new international study permit applications.  This was in addition to other recent new requirements that prospective students prove increased financial capacity to afford their studies in a context of more limited options for working part-time, off-campus.     As Canada embarks on a new chapter in international education, we have an opportunity to reflect and strategize – to get it right – and design an ethical and sustainable IE framework for Canada.  A more strategic, agile, inclusive, and better-informed approach to international education planning and priority-setting is required and must involve a wider range of actors.      This event will focus on charting a path forward for the Canadian IE sector and its support to international students.  Discussions will focus on what we have done right, where and when things started to go wrong, and how as a country we can chart a sustainable path forward.       To that end, we will convene a range of both traditional and non-traditional actors in this sphere to delve into the complex issues faced by some international students and to explore how best to support them in areas such as labour market and community integration, housing and mental health.      A summary report of the key recommendations that emerge from the discussions will be produced and shared with relevant federal and provincial governments and other key stakeholders.  Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) | Bureau canadien de l’éducation internationale #CBIEDialogueBCEI

Extract-Australia needs an international strategy. The accord offers nothing The mere eight pages devoted to international education in the Australian Universities Accord’s 400-page Final Report is hardly adequate for so integral an aspect of Australia’s university system. Even more regrettably, the report, published in February, lacks any vision for the future of international education or the benefits it brings to Australia’s universities and broader society. It begins by acknowledging that international education “is one of Australia’s most successful exports” but confines its subsequent discussion to a range of perceived problems with it. This is an astounding way to speak about one of Australia’s great successes, but it is also unsurprising. It reflects the blinkered way we as a society think about international education. It is a conversation we have allowed to default to questions of financial sustainability and student competence, entirely overlooking the inherent benefits of international education. Let’s start with history. International education played a catalytic role in helping Australia find a role as an accepted and admired part of a stable, prosperous region. Students from Asia and the Pacific began to study at Australian universities in significant numbers in the 1950s. Their presence had a double benefit. First, it allowed Australia to train generations of university graduates who would construct secure and successful societies in our region. Second, it was pivotal to shifting Australians’ attitudes on race, leading to the dismantling of a White Australia Policy that was isolating us in Asia… If our aim is to produce globally engaged, culturally curious and broad-minded graduates, highly internationalised campuses are critical. It is little wonder, then, that graduates of Australian universities are some of the most globally mobile people in the world. Among the thousands of University of Melbourne alumni I meet while travelling, significant numbers are Australian citizens living and thriving abroad… https://lnkd.in/eEsxwXGF

Empowering International Students: A Personal Reflection on Legislative Changes! As an international student, I fully grasp the significance of the legislative reforms proposed by the Australian Government. These changes represent a crucial step towards safeguarding the integrity and enhancing the opportunities within the international education sector. Reflecting on my journey as an International student, I've encountered firsthand the hurdles posed by an education system rife with exploitation. For instance, despite my years of professional experience, I was astonished to receive job offers unrelated to my qualifications, underscoring the pressing need for reform. With the introduction of allocations for new international student enrolments and the prohibition of agent commissions on student transfers between providers, these measures promise to foster a more equitable environment. They empower students like myself to make informed decisions aligned with our career goals, free from undue financial pressures or misleading incentives. As we pivot towards a future where education is valued for its merits, rather than simply as a pathway to residency, I am confident that these changes will pave the way for a more transparent and equitable international education landscape. https://lnkd.in/gzaaxtSp

As governments worldwide re-write their internationalisation policies, how do the changes impact international students looking to study in popular destination countries? In this blog, we talk with admission representatives at CIS member universities in the Netherlands to get the latest regional updates. Read more about the Dutch government's proposed changes, the challenges facing higher education in the Netherlands, and more in this CIS Perspectives blog: https://bit.ly/4aXQO6U

Some of the most sought-after Scholarship for International Students applying to #Australia Certain scholarships are reserved only for international students. In most instances, these are based on the factors of having to retrieve offer of Admissions Letter from the university; satisfied the minimum ATAR entry requirements for enrollment; performed academically excellent in the previous study; Diversification; areas and fields of Research; likewise selection of Pathways and English Language Programs leading towards relevant Undergraduate Courses or Postgraduate Programmes. Apart from the major scholarships, highlighted below are the well-known ones. (Suggested reading: https://lnkd.in/dcuWNjFG) I.) Destination Australia International Scholarships which is a government funded scholarship scheme worth up to 15,000 AUD per year per student studying and living in regional Australia (example of the areas generally includes Bundaberg, Mackay Ooralea, Cairns or Northampton North) II.) Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship for postgraduate research students worth up to A$32,000 per year or above (depending on the university) to assist with living costs. III.) Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) for international students wanting to undertake any full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian institutions. The scholarship tends to cover airfares, tuition fees, living allowances, OSHC and more. IV.) Vice Chancellor’s International Diversification Scholarship which has been solely introduced to celebrate Diversity of nations and is generally worth up to 8,000 AUD per year for the duration of program. V.) Global Regional International Scholarship is available if an international student studies an undergraduate or a postgraduate program at certain specified campuses and is worth up to A$8,000 or above tuition fees reduction per year for the duration of program VI.) Anniversary Academic Excellence Scholarship- Southern Cross University is offering first year tuition fees reduction up to $15,000 for any future international students applying for undergraduate or a postgraduate course in term 3 July 2024 intake at Lismore, Gold Coast or Coffs Harbor Campus. VII.) Sustainable Development Goals International Scholarship ranging up to 50% or above deduction on tuition fees for three years. For this, students are required to provide a statement in support of their application indicating the motivations and ways in which the scholarship will assist them with their studies and their future career. #WesternAustralianPremierUniversityScholarship #tuitiondiscounts #semesterinstallments #highachievinginternationalstudents #NSW #Queensland #Victoria #stategovernmentsupport #alldegreeprograms The University of Notre Dame Australia Western Sydney University TAFE Queensland University of Wollongong

Top schools that offer first graduate scholarships to international students with application fee waivers: The application process for graduate programs abroad involves significant fees that international students must pay. This can range from $50 to $150 or more per school. While fee waivers are commonly offered for American citizens or residents based on financial need, it is tougher for international applicants to get this benefit. Fortunately, some top universities provide application fee waivers as part of prestigious graduate scholarships specifically for international students. Click here to Learn More: https://lnkd.in/dWBTT-3A

🌏 Future of International Education - Is Online Education the Answer? With many major international education destinations tightening entry, such as the UK, Canada, and Australia, higher education institutions within these countries are contemplating ways to maintain enrollment while complying with these regulations. International students account for a considerable portion of higher education revenue, hence, barriers to student mobility can severely impact their finances. Online education could be a key - there are some advantages of this mode. For one, online education tends to be 3-4 times cheaper than in-person education. Furthermore, the convenience of not relocating to a different country and the various costs and immigration process are completely side-stepped through this method for students. Higher education institutions could benefit from the scalability of these programs - class sizes will not be limited by physical restrictions. Yet, there are some limitations. Online degrees might not offer the same social benefits of networking as in-person degrees nor pathways for employment in these major education destinations. Pathways to employment are a significant motivator for international students and online education restricts access to employment in education destinations. But one thing is clear, universities will be forced to compete with each other in the international market - and it will not be easy as higher education institutes are not built to compete. Whichever program offers the most value for money will gain the most traction in the international market.

Why are more students from Ethiopia receiving Erasmus scholarships compared to Kenyans: 48 from Ethiopia vs 23 from Kenya were awarded scholarships this year (2024), and 322 Ethiopians vs 70 Kenyans received Erasmus scholarship between 2014 – 2020 https://lnkd.in/dpBjvB8s . Are the Ethiopians more competitive than Kenyans? The answer is very few Kenyans apply (300+) compared to Ethiopians (3000+). Kenyans may be having the info, but not many of them take the step to make an application! The answer is very few Kenyans apply (300+) compared to Ethiopians (3000+). Kenyans may be having the info, but not many of them take the step to make an application! This means we're less aggressive in scholarship applications compared to other Kenyans. But we're very competitive. For example, there were 800+ applicants in my program and only 15 were successful, 3 from Africa (2 from Kenya and 1 from Zimbabwe).   European Union awarded Erasmus+ Masters scholarship for 48 Ethiopian students (2024) https://lnkd.in/d8mBTiXs . (Addis Ababa, 18 June 2024) The European Union has awarded full Masters Scholarship to 48 Ethiopian students for the academic year of 2024-2025 through the EU’s flagship education initiative, Erasmus+ European Scholarship Programme. The students will spend 2 years full time in prestigious European Universities and will be studying at various higher institutions in 12 European countries. The Master’s degrees are offered by university consortia, including universities from at least two EU Member States.   The European Union’s Erasmus+ programme aims to enhance quality in higher education through scholarships and academic co-operation between the EU and the rest of the world. Ethiopia is one of the top beneficiary countries of the Erasmus programme. Since 2004, Ethiopia is one of the top 10 performing countries in the world, and amongst the top 5 in Africa both in terms of student selection and application in the Erasmus Scholarship programme. Since 2010, the European Union has awarded the Erasmus scholarship to more than 600 Ethiopian students. 60 Ethiopian students awarded EU Erasmus Mundus Masters scholarship (2019) https://lnkd.in/duksajk9 .