by Abby Chau Ministers from 46 participating countries met in Budapest and Vienna in March to discuss the Bologna Process and to tout the European Higher Education Area. When Bologna was established in 1999, goals were set to firmly launch the EHEA in 2010 in order to harmonise and improve higher educational standards and
Where Do Latin American Students Choose to Study?
by Liliana Casallas There are various factors that influence a student when choosing their study abroad destination. Students usually take into account country profiles, educational reputation, university accreditations, a university’s international profile, visa requirements, international student support, fees, grants and potential hardships. There are may also be additional incentives relating to a country’s capacity
Will the Higher Education Budget Cuts in the UK Fuel International Competition for Students?
by Deena Al Hilli Last week the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) announced the funding of £7.3 billion for universities and colleges in England, which is a reduction of £449 million from previously announced plans for the 2010/11 financial year. These university budget cuts have sparked varied reactions nationwide. Many issues such
Iraq – the Cradle of Civilization, Can the Civilization of Advanced Higher Education Return?
by Deena Al Hilli Algebra, geometry and arithmetic all stem from Babylonian Mathematics in Iraq, a country once renowned for its higher educational standards. Students in Iraq were headhunted from international universities to continue their further education and apply their expertise. However, years of sanctions and wars has damaged the educational system in Iraq. Following
Latin America, an Under Explored Territory for Global Education
Latin America may not be considered a first choice by international students for academic exchange, and global universities do not seem to consider this part of the world as a priority for the development of exchange partnerships. Why this is the case leads one to ask the following: is there a global understanding of the
Shifts in the MBA Market
The current recession has had a huge impact on the MBA market from enrolment rates to study plans and course duration. The 2009 QS TopMBA.com Applicant Survey has shed light on various key findings. For example, enrolment in Executive MBA (EMBA) programs has seen a decline. This is an indication that most candidates feel
University Rankings – Simplicity Is a Valuable Asset
Rankings of anything seem very good at attracting attention, and the simpler they are the more easily and effectively they draw attention. If anyone has ever told a clever joke and then been called upon to explain it you will understand what I am referring to, by the time your audience has understood the joke
The Impact of Rankings
Since long before the global university ranking movement emerged in 2003, academics, university leadership and government officials have debated the impact of university rankings. Marguerite Clarke, formerly of Flinders University in South Australia did some good work focused on the US News ranking, looking at matters such as access – this is summarised in an