The TopUniversities.com guide to the latest higher education news from around the world, on 28 November 2012.
Graduate job prospects looking brighter in Japan
More than 63% of students in Japan who will graduate next spring had already received job offers by the start of October, The Japan Times reports. This figure has risen for the second year running, suggesting that employment prospects for graduates are looking brighter again, after several tough years following the global financial downturn.
Ten new UK universities to be announced
UK Universities Minister David Willetts is expected to recommend that ten higher education institutions should be allowed to call themselves universities, The Independent reports. Currently known as ‘university colleges’, most of the ten are specialist colleges, focusing on relatively few subjects. They now qualify for university status, after the minimum number of students for a university was lowered from 4,000 to 1,000.
More international graduates staying to work in Canada
A growing number of international students are choosing to stay and work in Canada after graduating, The Montréal Gazette reports. A representative of Northern Alberta Institute of Technology says Canada is experiencing labor shortages across all industries, and that immigration authorities are making it easier for businesses to hire international graduates. According to one recruitment specialist, the greatest demand is in the oil and gas sector, followed by mining and resources, and construction.
‘Emirati studies’ to be compulsory at UAE universities
It will soon be compulsory for all students in the UAE, both domestic and international, to pass a course in ‘Emirati studies’ before they can graduate, reports the Khaleej Times. Dr Ayoub Kazim, head of Dubai International Academic City, says the aim is to ensure that the large number of international students in the country gain “a better understanding of the culture and heritage of the UAE.”
US tuition costs haven’t risen as much as everyone thinks
While media and politicians have been repeatedly talking about soaring costs of higher education in the US, the actual increase to tuition fees has not been so dramatic, this Bloomberg article suggests. Pointing to data collected by the College Board, reporter Evan Soltas argues that only those from the wealthiest families have been significantly affected by fees increases, due to the widespread availability of financial aid.