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Indian Students

University of Wollongong Launches Inaugural Scholarships and Advanced Courses at New India Campus in GIFT City

Australia’s University of Wollongong (UOW) has become the second foreign university to establish a campus in India’s GIFT City, Gujarat, and has officially commenced classes, offering unique scholarships for its inaugural batch. All full-time students enrolled in the first batch are eligible for “InAugural Scholarships,” which include a 50% tuition fee waiver for Masters and Masters Extension students and a 25% waiver for Graduate Certificate students in their first trimester. According to Nimay Kalyani, director of UOW India, the scholarships are designed to support the initial group of students as they begin their academic journey at the institution. Kalyani added that the university will continue to introduce additional scholarship programs, with the “Women Leaders in FinTech” scholarship set to launch in November 2024. This initiative provides three top Indian students with a 50% tuition fee reduction across the program duration, with the final trimester offering a 100% waiver. UOW India’s academic focus is on high-demand fields such as IT, STEM, business, and FinTech, with plans to broaden its course offerings in response to India’s educational needs. Faculty includes both local experts and international instructors from UOW’s campuses in Australia and Dubai. The university also announced a corporate collaboration with IBM, which offers students advanced training in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain, and more through IBM’s Innovation Centre for Education (ICE). This partnership ensures UOW India’s students receive industry-relevant skills and exposure to global job markets, with IBM ICE providing access to in-demand technical resources and courses tailored for industry readiness. “This collaboration aims to equip our students with essential skills, internships, and career pathways across sectors ranging from multinational corporations to entrepreneurial ventures,” Kalyani shared, emphasizing UOW India’s commitment to fostering a skilled workforce ready for global opportunities. Source: Financial Express

Indian Students Facing Deportation in Canada Protest Against Government Over Sudden Policy Change

Hundreds of Indian students in Canada’s Prince Edward Island (PEI) are protesting against the government for a sudden policy change that denies them work permits and threatens deportation. The students, who graduated and have been in Canada for over a year, allege that the government changed the policy overnight, leaving them in a precarious situation. They have threatened to go on a hunger strike if their demands are not met. Protest leader Rupender Singh expressed frustration to the CBC, stating, “They called us here, now they want us to leave. Our province gave us false hopes.” Singh, who came to Canada in 2019, accused the province of providing misleading information, calling the situation “total exploitation.” Video footage shows large groups of Indian students marching through the streets of Charlottetown, chanting for fairness and protesting the sudden policy changes. One protestor noted the broader impact, suggesting that without international graduates, locals might face delays in services such as coffee at Tim Hortons. “We only get a once-in-a-lifetime chance. We came to PEI because they made these rules that we can apply for PR after six months, one year. Yes, they will be affected, but the people of PEI will also be affected because now they’ll have to wait 20 minutes for a cup of coffee.” What Does Canada’s PEI Law State? Last July, PEI passed a law restricting postgraduate work permits to students with specific qualifications, allowing only those with construction/home-building and healthcare qualifications to obtain permits. This change has left many international students unable to continue working in Canada. Similar restrictions were imposed in Manitoba earlier this year, but after protests, the Trudeau government extended postgraduate work permits by two years. Now, students in PEI are demanding similar treatment. What Are the Protesting Indian Students Demanding? The students are demanding an extension of work permits and a review of the recent immigration policy changes. They seek to be “grandfathered” in, allowing them to be exempt from the new regulations based on their previous status or circumstances. This would enable them to proceed under the previous, less stringent criteria, ensuring stability and fairness in the immigration system. They have set a deadline for action, threatening a hunger strike if their demands are not met by mid-May. As tensions rise, the protests are growing, with hundreds joining in and gaining support from various communities. Employers and minority groups have backed the cause, highlighting the broader impact of these policy changes on the community as a whole.Top of Form

Macquarie University Announces AUD $40,000 Scholarship for Indian and Sri Lankan Students

Macquarie University has introduced a prestigious scholarship worth AUD $40,000 aimed at recognizing exceptional students from India and Sri Lanka. The scholarship, valued at AUD 10,000 per year, will be awarded to outstanding candidates commencing their studies at Macquarie University from the academic year 2024-25 onwards. Interested students can apply for this scholarship via the official Macquarie University website at mq.edu.au. Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria: Must be a full-time international student enrolling in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree program on campus. Must hold citizenship of India or Sri Lanka. Should possess a full offer of admission from Macquarie University. Must accept the offer letter and pay the commencement fee by the specified due date mentioned in the offer letter. Scholarship Details: The scholarship, amounting to AUD $10,000 per year, will be allocated towards tuition fees for coursework degree programs offered at Macquarie University’s Sydney campus. This scholarship will be distributed annually, providing significant financial assistance to deserving students throughout the duration of their studies. For instance, a student enrolled in a four-year undergraduate degree program stands to receive up to AUD $40,000 over the course of four years towards their total tuition fees. Application Process: Applications for this scholarship are open year-round, and candidates who submit their applications will automatically be considered for the scholarship. Successful applicants will be notified accordingly. Key Areas of Study: Macquarie University offers a diverse range of academic disciplines, including but not limited to: Banking & Finance (Fintech, Environmental Finance, Financial Management) Data Science Information Technology (IoT, AI, Information Systems, Networking, Cyber Security) Engineering (Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Renewable Energy, Civil, Construction, Software) Business Analytics Management Medicine Arts, Media, and Communications Through this scholarship initiative, Macquarie University aims to support talented students from India and Sri Lanka in pursuing their academic aspirations and fostering excellence in higher education.  

University of Essex Unveils £3000 Master’s Scholarship for Indian Students Enrolling in January 2024

The University of Essex has announced the launch of the Academic Excellence International Master’s Scholarship, providing financial assistance of up to £3000 to Indian students intending to join the January 2024 intakes. This scholarship, offered as a partial tuition fee waiver, specifically targets self-funding Indian students from tier 2 universities who have completed their undergraduate degrees either abroad or in the UK. Prospective students have until November 30 to submit their scholarship applications, with eligibility automatically considered upon the submission of a comprehensive application for the relevant courses. The University will evaluate applicants based on their academic transcripts and certificates submitted during the application process. Scholarship awards are determined by the candidate’s academic accomplishments. To be eligible, applicants must provide a detailed statement of purpose, academic or work references, and valid English language test results. Those with a minimum of 60 per cent or CGPA 6.5/10 or CGPA 2.6/4 are eligible for consideration. This scholarship opportunity is applicable to all courses and departments at the University of Essex, except for the East 15 Acting School.

Record 35% Surge in Indian Students Boosts US International Enrollment to 40-Year High

The number of Indian students attending US colleges has seen a significant 35% increase, contributing to the highest single-year growth in international student enrollment in over 40 years. A joint study by the State Department and the Institute of International Education revealed that the overall international student population in the US surged by 12% during the 2022-23 academic year, with more than 1 million students from abroad – the highest since 2019-20. CEO of the Institute of International Education, Allan E Goodman, emphasized that the US remains the preferred destination for international students worldwide. The report indicates a robust educational relationship between the US and India, with nearly 269,000 Indian students enrolled, surpassing previous records and ranking second only to China. Most of these students pursued graduate programs, particularly in science, technology, and business fields. While China still tops the list with 290,000 students, its numbers have decreased for the third consecutive year, reflecting a shift in demand. The study attributes this decline to strained international relations, competition from UK and Canadian universities, and extended travel restrictions in Asia during the pandemic. US universities have strategically focused on recruiting in India, given the predicted population growth, with students from India now outnumbering those from China in 24 states. Graduate programs in the US remained the primary attraction for international students for the second consecutive year, experiencing a 21% growth, while undergraduate numbers saw a modest 1% increase. The reversal of the previous decade’s trend, where undergraduate enrollments dominated, is credited to the popularity of math and computer science programs, witnessing a 20% surge. Engineering and business programs followed suit, collectively constituting over half of all international students in the US. This surge nearly restores international student numbers to pre-pandemic levels, reaching close to the 2018 peak of 1.1 million students. Despite comprising only 5.6% of all college students, international students play a significant role in US higher education, contributing to global exchange and providing substantial revenue through higher tuition rates. Following China and India, other nations sending the most students to the US include South Korea, Canada, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Nigeria. The study also highlights a record number of students from countries like Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain in the previous school year. While international student numbers are on the rise, many US colleges continue to grapple with declining domestic enrollment. Overall college enrollment remains sluggish, and a separate study by the National Student Clearinghouse indicates a 3.6% decrease in freshman enrollment for fall 2023.