The TopUniversities.com guide to the latest higher education news from around the world, on 30 November 2012.
Canadian university announces ‘puppy room’ for stressed students
Canada’s Dalhousie University has announced an innovative new resource to help students deal with exam stress: a room full of dogs. The scheme is being offered through ‘pet therapy’ service Therapeutic Paws of Canada, which more often works with hospitals and old people’s homes, reports the National Post. Anticipation for the dogs’ arrival next week is running high, and Therapeutic Paws says it has received similar requests from a number of other universities.
International student cleaners in Australia – abuse claims to be investigated
Claims that student cleaners – especially international students – are being badly treated by employers in Australia are to be investigated by an industry watchdog, reports The Australian. Earlier this week, education group Victorian TAFE International and union United Voice issued a report highlighting the particular vulnerability of international students employed as cleaners. The Fair Work Ombudsman says it will investigate claims that international students are more likely to be underpaid and overworked.
Warning: International student scholarships can be ‘restrictive’
International scholarships received from large companies certainly have their benefits, but can also be restrictive, warns this article in The Daily Pennsylvanian. While many students would not be able to study abroad without receiving the funding, accepting a scholarship from a company can limit students’ freedom to choose what they want to study, as well as tying them down to a particular job after graduation. However, the article concludes that for most students, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
Russia to increase funding for foreign students
The Russian government will increase state funding for international students in the country, reports The Voice of Russia. The aim is to provide state funding for 15,000 foreign students, compared to 10,000 at present. In addition, a proposed change to legislation would make it easier for international students to obtain visas and to find work.
Significant rise in number of Australians with degrees
The number of Australians with post-school qualifications has risen significantly over the past ten years, reports the Australian Bureau of Statistics. New data shows that the proportion of Australians educated at tertiary level is now 25%, compared to 17% in 2001. The biggest increase has been in the number of those with graduate degrees, which has nearly tripled over this period, and the most popular fields of study are management and commerce, followed by engineering and technology.