Universities, colleges, and other designated learning institutions are quickly gaining the confidence to plan for Fall and Winter semesters that involve students on campus.
Academic
Canada Emerges As the Preferred Destination for International MBA Programs
Institutions offering MBA programs in Canada have witnessed a surge in applications as international students look beyond the United States for their MBA.
Virtual Open Houses, The New Normal for Canadian Campuses?
Virtual Open Houses organized by Montreal based Concordia University and Halifax’s Dalhousie University saw a huge success with prospective students logging in from all over the world.
Job Quotas Confusion Leaves Thousands of Posts Empty
Source: University World News
Thousands of university faculty jobs in India remain unfilled over competing interpretations of the country’s constitutional guarantee of job quotas in higher education institutions for lower castes and marginalised groups.
‘Surveillance’ of Academics Condemned Globally
Source: University World News
Academics from around the world contacted by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association in New Delhi have criticised attendance-monitoring rules for the university’s faculty.
IIT-B Generates Highest Revenue Among IITs
IIT-Bombay, was followed by IIT-Madras and IIT-Delhi in terms of revenue generated.
Replacing the UGC Won’t Solve India’s Problems
It is being billed by the Modi government as an attempt to introduce ‘minimum government, maximum governance’, but Indian higher education needs much more deep-rooted change.
New Regulatory Body Will Push HE Quality and Autonomy
The Indian government has put forward two draft acts to replace the higher education regulatory body with a new body.
IIT-Bombay Beats IIT-Delhi as India’s Top Institute
It now ranks higher than IIT-Delhi (172) and has also overtaken the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, which is ranked 170.
IISc Back in Top University List
IISc has made it to the top 100 in the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings 2018. It is the only Indian institution in the list.
What Do The Latest Rankings Mean For India
Source: University World News
The latest subject rankings from QS highlight some challenges for Indian higher education.
Union Cabinet Approves Creation of National Testing Agency
Source: Times of India
Establishment of NTA will benefit about 40 lakh students appearing in various entrance examinations.
Modi Government is Firming Up A Plan to Create India’s Own Harvard
Source: Economic Times
New framework to catapult new Indian institutions to global recognition by freeing the best of them from UGC restrictions & ushering in greater autonomy.
The complete article is available to read via the Economic Times.
WhatsApp VP Announces Scholarship For ISB Students
Source: NDTV
The scholarship titled ‘Jagannath Arora Scholarship’ has been named after WhatsApp VP’s father. The scholarship will be awarded to a young and talented woman enrolled in Post Graduate Programme in Mangaement at ISB.
The Gap Between Old & New IITs
Source: The Wire
It will probably take more than 10 years for these institutes to even register on the Indian research landscape. For them to become global players will require much more than that though.
Canada’s Moment
Source: Inside Higher Ed
A Trump effect? Many Canadian universities are reporting large gains in international applications at the same time some American universities are seeing declines.
Leigh-Ellen Keating, who directs international services for Brock University, in Ontario, just attended a student recruiting fair in Mexico. “The table was flooded with people, which is not historically what I have seen with the Mexican market,” she said. “They just want to go to Canada, and historically I think a lot of them would go to the States.”
For the complete article, please visit Inside Higher Ed.
Cabinet Nod To Bill Granting Degree Awarding Power To 15 IIITs
Source: The Economic Times
The cost of each IIIT is Rs 128 crore and is contributed by the Centre, state government and the industry in the ratio of 50:35:15.
India Keen to Put Unis on Global Map
Source: The PIE
The Indian finance minister, Arun Jaitley, believes that for India to be considered an international education destination, at least 20 of its universities need to feature among the top 100 in a global league table.
Canada’s International Credential Assessors Find New Resource in Web Portal
The recognition of international academic credentials in Canada has found new support in a web portal launched by the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials. The new portal offers information and extensive resources to support the assessment and recognition of international academic credentials. These resources include a step-by-step guide on how to assess an academic credential issued outside Canada, a Quality Assurance Framework, and a competency profile for an academic credential assessor. Academic credential assessors across Canada will also have access to additional resources through a special interface, which will feature access to detailed profiles on the education systems and academic credentials of 12 countries, along with how they may compare to education systems in Canada.
The Business of Education Dinner
Our Canada West Chapter’s signature event takes place on Sept. 30 in Vancouver, BC at the Fairmont Waterfront hotel.
Students Undervalue Study/Work Abroad
Source: The PIE
Many students who have access to international experiences during higher education don’t realise their value until after they have graduated, according to a recent survey. It found that study abroad, overseas internships, language courses and intercultural exchanges are all overlooked by students as they studied. However, in the survey of more than 1,000 graduates, three-quarters said they felt it was the responsibility of their institutions to offer access to international opportunities.
For the full article, visit The PIE.
Synergy Conference 2016
Our 10th annual Canada-India: A Synergy in Education conference will took place on September 23 from 1 – 5pm at the Ontario Investment & Trade Centre. Scroll through the presentation below for a brief recap.
CIEC would like to thank all Synergy 2016 speakers and attendees for helping to make this year’s event yet another success. We hope the conference provided you with the chance to network with like-minded individuals while furthering the discussion of programs and policies in education that have been hailed as priorities.
SFU Diwali Gala
CIBT sells Acsenda School of Management
Source: The PIE News
Canada-based CIBT Education Group has sold [CIEC Academic Member] Acsenda School of Management in Vancouver for around CAN$5m, to an undisclosed multinational investor. Proceeds from the sale will go towards CIBT’s accommodation arm and to identify future acquisition opportunities in the international language and career college sectors.
For the complete article, visit The PIE News.
18 Months of Membership for 12 ($100/month)
https://youtu.be/LZhnQ7_Hggs
Based in Toronto, with an active Vancouver chapter, CIEC has over 100 members across Canada and India. CIEC helps institutions position themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace by combining corporate governance in a public-private partnership & an entrepreneurial methodology to be financially independent & sustainable. As CIEC widens its membership to Institutions we invite you to join us as we enhance ties and create opportunities. Members have an array of networking opportunities to showcase their institutions in this vibrant corridor.
Your CIEC Membership also serves as a way to profile your College or University program, accomplishments & commitments in this sector. With discussions led by experts via our monthly newsletter ‘Disha’ (reaching over 18,000 academics & thought leaders from both countries), members can highlight recent developments, dialogue on emerging opportunities and discuss new initiatives and ideas. CIEC’s highly penetrative and potent social media network reaches academic champions, government representatives and policy makers as well as key Canadian & Indian Colleges and Universities.
CIEC invites you to build on past successes & work towards a promising future. The budget friendly membership of only $100/month will not only demonstrate your interest in reaching out to key academic leaders from other institutions but also afford access to exclusive ‘Member Only’ events including hosting visiting delegations on your campus. In celebration of our 10th anniversary, CIEC is offering 18 months of membership for the price of 12.
To become a Member & be counted as a leader in this dynamic sector, click here to get started. We look forward to working with you.
Carleton Signs MOU to Renew India Studies Chair
Source: Carleton University via Academica
Carleton University President [and CIEC Academic Advisor] Roseann O’Reilly Runte has signed an MOU with the High Commissioner of India to Canada to renew a visiting chair focused on India-related studies at Carleton. Valid for five years, the agreement will see Carleton [CIEC Academic Member] host a visiting professor who will serve as a chair for a four-month semester each academic year. “The India Chair has proven to be a wonderful experience,” said Runte. “It’s an opportunity for us to build bridges of culture and understanding, and to have our students exposed to different forms of teaching. It’s very significant that the Indian government is doing this with Carleton. India has such a rich culture to share.”
25 Canadian Universities Make THE’s World University Rankings 2015–16
Source: Times Higher Education via Academica
Times Higher Education has released its 2015–16 World University Rankings of the top 800 universities, and 25 Canadian schools [and 7 CIEC Members] have made the cut. In the top 100, the University of Toronto rose slightly to 19th, UBC dropped slightly to 34th, McGill University rose slightly to 39th, and McMaster University held steady at 94th. This year, the rankings revised their methodology, expanding the number of languages and countries covered. The California Institute of Technology retained the top spot, a position it has held since 2012. The University of Oxford and Stanford University rounded out the top three.
Many People Overestimate Cost of an Education Based on Sticker Price, Universities Canada President Says
Source: Metro News via Academica
In a recent speech before the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Universities Canada President Paul Davidson said that many people are “too fixated on the price tag” of postsecondary education. Davidson said that many calls for lower tuition neglect the broad range of scholarships, bursaries, and other financial aid options that can help offset the cost of an education. “Tuition is not an insurmountable barrier,” he said. “Our studies and other studies show that people overestimate the cost of higher education and underestimate the earning premium that they will achieve as the result of attending a university.” Some students took exception to Davidson’s remark; Michaela Sam, Chair of the Canadian Federation of Students-Nova Scotia, said that the comment “disregards the reality that students face today.”
Institutions Could Improve Communication Practices to Better Meet Needs of Prospective International Students
Source: British Council Report via Academica
One-fifth of Canadian and US colleges and universities never respond to admissions inquiries from students from other countries; moreover, among those that do reply to international students, four-fifths never follow up after first contact. The figures come from a “mystery shopper”-style research project from the British Council that examined how 974 institutions around the world helped international students find the information they need about where to study. Researchers evaluated more than 40 different data points including “findability,” quality of information, and usability. Information regarding program duration, start dates, and accreditation were reportedly the most difficult to find; in addition, one-third of institutional websites examined did not pass the Google Mobile-Friendly test.
COU Releases Report on ROI of University Degree
Source: COU Report via Academica
The Council of Ontario Universities has released its latest University Works report. The report suggests that university graduates have the lowest unemployment rates, the highest employment rates, and the highest lifetime earnings compared to graduates of other PSE programs. 91% of university graduates reported being employed three years after graduation, and the median bachelor degree holder was earning 33% more than the median college graduate three years after graduation. The report also shows that, among all provinces, ON university graduates have the third-lowest average debt from government sources.
Synergy 2015
Synergy Education Conference: Academia Meets Industry & The Role India Can Play
POST EVENT REPORT
October 30, 2015 • Hilton Garden Inn (Toronto Airport West) • 1870 Matheson Blvd • Mississauga, ON • L4W 0B3
CIEC would like to thank all Synergy 2015 Presenters and Participants for helping to make this year’s event yet another success. CIEC was proud to host Synergy 2015 which explored the academia-industry partnerships and whether they are a myth or reality in the Canada-India context. This year’s exciting agenda featured distinguished speakers, key academics and Provincial/Federal representatives such as India’s Consul General Hon. Akhilesh Mishra, President of the Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) Sanjay Makkar, Chair of the Canada India Business Council Yezdi Pavri more.
We hope Synergy 2015 provided you with valuable networking opportunities and served as a platform for discussion of emerging issues and areas of possible co-operation as well as governments’ programs & policies in education that have been hailed as a priority. We are happy to share the very informative Powerpoint presentations accompanying this year’s sessions. Please click here to view our Youtube playlist of all presentations or view our photos on Google+.
Hon. Pierre S. Pettigrew offered the Opening Address which highlighted the role of the middle class in economic growth and offered insights into the present and future of Canada-India education relations. Hon. Akhilesh Mishra, India’s Consul General gave a moving presentation titled ‘Canada & India: How our paths intersect’ and Prof. Balbir Sahni, Professor Emeritus, Economics, Concordia University, offered the Inaugural Address ‘ACADEMIA-INDUSTRY LINKAGES: a Myth or Reality? – Canada-India Context’. Yezdi Pavri, Chair, Canada-India Business Council (CIBC) presented the keynote address ‘Academia & Industry: linkages and role India can play’ with Q&A, which highlighted CIBC’s as well as the the corporate role in establishing industry-academic linkages and promoting Canadian education in India.
Thanks @CanadaIndiaEdu for inviting me to speak on opportunities for Canada in tech & vocational education in India. pic.twitter.com/W4oSJXDovW
— Akhilesh Mishra (@AkhileshIFS) October 31, 2015
Dr. Ragini Bilolikar, Academic Advisor – India, Canada India Education Council prepared a synopsis of the ‘The National Skills Development Council (NSDC). Veenaa Kumari, Research Scholar, shared tips on talent supply chain management and Dr. Peter Geller, Vice Provost & AVP, University of Fraser Valley shared insights on UFV’s successful & unique India initiative during his presentation ‘Ten Years of the University of the Fraser Valley’s Campus in Chandigarh: Moving Beyond Challenge to Success’. Vijendra “VJ” Gairola, CIEC’s Senior Strategic Advisor & Sheila Embleton, Professor of Linguistics, York University hosted a roundtable discussion with Synergy participants on the skills shortage in India as well as the current state and future trends of academic-industry linkages. Synergy Sponsor Hanson International Academy also made a very informative presentation on the role Hybrid Institutions can play in the Canada-India education corridor and offered keen advice on pursuing the right type of partnership for each institution.
Hanson was thrilled to sponsor #Synergy2015. We learned so much! Till next year @CanadaIndiaEdu ! pic.twitter.com/cSVJvUx8EJ
— Hanson International (@HansonInt) November 5, 2015
CIEC thanks our sponsors for making Synergy 2015 possible:
Gold Sponsor: Hanson International Academy
Interested in becoming a Synergy 2015 Sponsor?
Learn more about the benefits of Synergy Sponsorship.
HEQCO Report Evaluates Canadian PSE Performance
Source: HEQCO Report via Academica
A new report published by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) has found that the amount of money postsecondary systems have matters less than how they spend it. HEQCO’s Canadian Postsecondary Performance: Impact 2015 report used 34 indicators to measure provincial postsecondary system outcomes across 3 dimensions: access, value to students, and value to society. Outcomes were then considered in relation to operating cost-per-student to produce an overall performance score. The report found that provinces vary in their strengths, but that in every province there is a positive link between PSE and labour market success, individual earnings, citizen engagement, and economic contributions. “Some things are more important to some provinces than to others. We want [the report] to be used as a tool for the development of effective policies that are tailored to a jurisdiction and that are focused on achievement and outcomes,” said HEQCO President Harvey Weingarten. Bonnie M Patterson, President of the Council of Ontario Universities, commented that “it’s a positive report about our performance as a university sector. But if [the government] wants us to improve, there is a point where elasticity runs out, you gain your efficiencies, and you make your trade-offs … At some point you can’t get a change in indicators unless you are making some investments.”
UOIT, MRU Programs Receive Accreditation
Source: MRU News Release / UOIT News Release via Academica
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s program in Forensic Science has received full accreditation from the American Academy of Forensic Science’s Forensic Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). Achieving FEPAC accreditation requires that programs meet strict standards for course material and assessment methods, and that graduates demonstrate a high level of practical ability. FEPAC-accredited programs are also required to have ongoing affiliations with forensic science labs and law enforcement organizations. UOIT’s program is reportedly 1 of just 2 programs in Canada to achieve FEPAC’s highest level of distinction. Meanwhile, Mount Royal University’s aviation program has been granted a 5-year accreditation by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). The distinction reportedly makes MRU just the second aviation program outside of the US to achieve AABI certification. “We’ve received the gold seal of accreditation when it comes to aviation education … This is further recognition that our program meets stringent standards of quality, and it’s also a strong indication that we’re providing a relevant education experience to our students,” said Leon Cygman, acting Chair of Management, Human Resources, and Aviation at MRU.
PSE Rankings Rarely Capture PSE’s Core Mission, but Grow Increasingly Popular
Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education via Academica
The already crowded space of college and university rankings seems to be getting more packed with each passing day. Many are skeptical of the value of rankings; Corbin Martin Campbell, a professor at Teachers College of Columbia University, noted that few rankings “speak to the education core of an institution,” or take into account the rich, relevant data that institutions themselves possess. Nevertheless, each new entrant tries to position itself as an innovator in the market, basing scores on things like post-PSE outcomes and student debt. Money magazine’s rankings, for instance, focus on affordability and the return on graduates’ education investment. Some websites, such as PayScale and LinkedIn, use the rankings as a means to increase their own membership or to market their own services. PayScale, for instance, now has US colleges encouraging their alumni to submit salary data to the website. PayScale gets more data, while the college—hopefully—moves up in the rankings. Of course, most publications ultimately publish rankings because they sell. “Everybody likes a good list,” said Diane Harris, an editor at Money.
ON Colleges Offer Support For Displaced Everest Students
Source: Georgian News Release & Centennial News Release via Academica
Georgian College and Centennial College are offering assistance to students affected by the closure of Everest College. Staff in the Office of the Registrar at Georgian are offering learning assessments as well as insight into what courses Everest students would need to take to obtain a certificate or diploma from Georgian. Georgian offers a number of programs that overlap with those provided by Everest, including health, business, and human services. “At Georgian College, we feel for Everest students who suddenly find themselves in such a stressful position… We will do our best to work with each of them to determine if there is a Georgian program that fits their needs, and to let them know exactly where they stand in terms of academic learning that they may transfer to Georgian,’ said Cindy Mutchler, Associate Registrar, Admissions. Centennial has also invited affected students to contact the institution to discuss possible pathways into its own programs.
National Survey of Student Engagement Results Released
Source: Inside Higher Ed via Academica | November 21, 2014
The results of the annual National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) were released on Thursday. 73 Canadian and 640 US institutions participated in the survey this year. Among the survey’s findings are that the number of meetings with an academic advisor was positively linked with perceptions of a supportive campus environment; however, one-third of first-year students said they rarely met with an advisor. Moreover, the survey found that the use of social media was common among institutions, but that institutions were less likely to use social media to provide students with information about educational or career opportunities, financial aid, or to allow students to connect with faculty. Approximately two-fifths of first-year students and one-third of seniors said that social media substantially distracted them from their coursework. The NSSE also revealed that the more time faculty spent trying to improve their teaching, the more time they spent engaging students in discussion, group activities, and experiential activities rather than lecturing. Institutional selectivity and enrolment size were not found to have a significant impact on student engagement or their experiences with faculty. This year’s survey also introduced questions on sleep habits, classifying 12% of students as morning students, 11% as evening students, and 77% as flexible.
MacEwan President Seeks to Break Down Walls Between Colleges, Universities
Source: Edmonton Journal via Academica | Oct. 6, 2014
MacEwan University President David Atkinson says that a rigid divide between colleges and universities is counterproductive in today’s economy. “We need to find some new pathways and get past the two solitudes,” he said. “The model for higher education can’t just be aimed at the high school student who comes for four years and be done.” He argues for a model that is more accommodating of students already in the workforce but looking to upgrade, as well as for recent immigrants seeking education. To this end, MacEwan will begin allowing students pursuing college diplomas to move directly into university degree programs, and will accept full credit for college courses. Atkinson says the move is reflective of the fact that a university degree is “the currency” of the job market. “We made the decision to be different,” he said.
Langara Releases Its First-ever Academic Plan
Source: Langara News Release via Academica | Sept. 29, 2014
Langara College [CIEC Academic Member] has released its first Academic Plan, identifying priority areas to guide Langara’s growth and development through 2019. The 5 priority areas are Learning and Teaching; Student Support; Aboriginal Initiatives; International Initiatives; and Environmental, Financial, and Social Sustainability. The Plan is based on 18 months of consultations with faculty, staff, students, and external advisors, and is meant to be a living document that will be reviewed and adjusted on an annual basis. Each of the priorities will be executed by an Academic Plan Action Group and will rely on active support and participation from the Langara community. “The Academic Plan identifies who we are as an institution, what we believe in, where we are going, and how we are going to get there. It builds on what we are doing well, identifies where we can grow, and is designed to be adapted in response to new opportunities and challenges,” reads a statement by Provost and VP Academic and Students Brad O’Hara.
MUN Releases Draft of Strategic Internationalization Plan
Source: Memorial University News Release via Academica | Sept. 19, 2014
Memorial University has released a draft of its strategic internationalization plan. The plan issues 8 recommendations intended to support MUN’s international and intercultural initiatives. The plan recommends developing further intercultural competencies among students, faculty, and personnel. In addition, the plan calls on the university to aggressively strengthen structures for attracting and retaining international students, faculty members, and other personnel. The report further recommends transitioning MUN’s International Centre into an Internationalization Office with a mandate to facilitate, coordinate, promote, and monitor international activities and to implement the strategic plan. The plan also recommends that MUN better articulate, communicate, and market MUN’s value proposition, that the university design and implement centralized data collection and tracking for international initiatives, and that all academic programs support international learning outcomes. The document also calls for the creation of full-degree academic programming anchored at MUN’s Harlow campus in England.
CapilanoU Releases First Academic Plan
Source: CapilanoU News Release via Academica | Sept 8, 2014
Capilano University [CIEC Academic Member] has released its first Academic Plan, highlighting the strengths of the university and opportunities to excel. The Academic Plan will serve as a starting point for the 2015-18 Strategic Plan, to be developed in the coming months. The document outlines potential pathways for institutional renewal and represents the “collective will of our community to embrace change and participate in growth.” The Academic Plan consists of sections detailing CapilanoU’s vision for academic principles, academic programming, academic support, and moving forward, with an appendix that addresses possibilities for the upcoming Strategic Plan. “The Academic Plan is the first step in reimagining Cap’s future. The strategic planning process that follows will continue to be collaborative and lead to the collective transformation of learning, teaching, and academic work at Capilano University,” stated Rick Gale, CapilanoU VP Academic and Provost.
Synergy 2014: Post Event Report
November 17, 2014 • Westin Ottawa
On November 17, 2014 CIEC hosted the ‘Canada-India: Synergy in Education’ Conference 2014 in Ottawa. This year’s event took place before CBIE’s annual conference and explored the convergence of sports and entertainment in the education sector.. asking the question: Is India the next frontier? View event photos
- Discussed sports management, sports marketing, sports scholarships, talent acquisition, scouting and related topics…
- Exchanged ideas & experiences, explore opportunities, pitfalls & challenges, highlight your sports / entertainment programs, network with stakeholders active in both markets and create valuable connections…
With sessions by CBIE and DFATD, augmented by multiple workshop-style sessions led by the Hon. Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), this was a must-attend event for those active or interested in examining India as a possible frontier in this corridor. Hon. Bal Gosal outlined the $200 million set aside by the federal government for sports, including the athlete assistance program. He also discussed trade between Canada & India and projected that once the new trade agreements are in place trade between these nations will triple to $15 billion annually.
Patrick Brown, MP and Co-Chair of the Canada India Parliamentary Association presented on Ottawa’s role in this growing sector. He discussed India’s booming population, counting 500 million young people, and expressed his hopes that we see an influx of these young people coming into Canada. Jennifer Humphries, CBIE presented the details on CBIE’s plan for the future.Attendees also heard ex- NHL’er Doug Smith lend his expertise and a decade of high performance playing at the elite level. He discussed sport
s injuries as well as athletic programming & how it can benefit academic institutiions. Doug Smith also shared stories of his fascinating life, recovery, and the impact of trauma and injury on sports performance. He also described how behavior drives culture in sports.
Dr. Brian Mcpherson, with 30 years experience in leading government relations, sport marketing and innovative initiatives, described Commonwealth Games Canada and its 3 programs
Participants of Synergy 2014 explored this exciting new frontier and mingled with sports and entertainment figures & key stakeholders in this thought-provoking Conference.
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View Synergy 2014 photos.
View previous presentations & photos or view all past events.
Useful links regarding obtaining a VISA
Agenda
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Conferences, such as this one, are crucial to Canada-India relations, because they allow for growth and promoting knowledge between the two countries….’
– Hon. Deepak Obhrai, P.C., M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights
Events such as this remind us that when many come together for a single cause, much can be accomplished. Prime Minister Harper said: “There is s tremendous amount of potential in our relationship with India. We share a history of cooperation in the Commonwealth and the United Nations, as well as a shared commitment to pluralism, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Our goal is to build a stronger, more dynamic partnership based on shared commercial, political and regional interests.” As Minister for Multiculturalism, I would like to thank the members of the Canada India Education Council for your ongoing work in support of cooperation between Canada and India in the field of education. – Hon. Jason Kenney, PC, MP Minister of Employment and Social Development & Minister for Multiculturalism
BCIT Engineering Program Receives Accreditation from CEAB
Source: BCIT News Release via Academica | July 15, 2014
[CIEC Academic Member] British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering has received accreditation from the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB). The accreditation is the first that the program has received and is valid for 3 years. “The Mechanical Engineering program is very pleased to receive accreditation from CEAB and is thankful for the support received from across BCIT,” said Paul Morrison, the program’s Associate Dean. Accreditation provides the program with a recognizable standard of quality and its graduates with improved degree mobility. Graduates of the class of 2014 are now able to apply directly to register as an Engineer-in-Training rather than first writing a Fundamentals of Engineering examination. BCIT’s BEng in Electrical Engineering, meanwhile, received a 6-year reaccreditation.
OCAS Releases Information Page for Immigrant Applicants
Source: OCAS News Release via Academica | June 23, 2014
The Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) has launched a new page on its applicant-facing website specifically for immigrant applicants. The new page, titled Applying to College as an Immigrant Student, is available in English and French and provides information to aid immigrants in the application process, including programs and services, what to expect during the application process, financial aid opportunities, language proficiency requirements, and links to government resources. The online resource was developed in partnership with the Colleges Ontario College Sector Immigrant Programs and Services Committee (CSIPS), and consists of information based on discussions with focus groups with immigrant students and college staff.
TCS Insights: The OCAS is working to ease the process of applying to schools in a new country for immigrants. By relieving some of the stress associated with this task, students have even more of a reason to consider furthering their studies in Ontario.
The ‘Business of Education’ Dinner in Vancouver, BC
Post-Event Report
Friday, June 6, 2014, Vancouver, BC | Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
CIEC’s Canada West Chapter’s must-attend, landmark event featured a “who’s who” of education including illustrious speakers such as Hon. Minister Amrik Virk, BC Minister of Advanced Education, Hon. Minister Peter Fassbender, BC Minister of Education, Hon. Deepak Obhrai, MP & Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 5 University Presidents…and over 200 participants.
To view photos of the event, please visit Event Photos.
To view testimonials of Hon. Jason Kenney, PC, MP Minister of Employment and Social Development & Minister for Multiculturalism as well as Christy Clark, Premier, British Columbia, please visit Testimonials.
Event participants:
- Exchanged ideas via a focused networking event
- Learned about BC’s new Education Quality Assurance (EQA) standards
- Explored opportunities and build a collaborative approach. Share experiences and avoid potential pitfalls
- Highlighted your initiatives to peers and receive effective marketing tips and benefit from existing synergies
- Examined the confluence of ‘business’ with education. How do we measure our ‘ROI’ ? (Scroll down for Event Agenda)
Learn about Sponsorship Benefits
View Speaker Profiles
View Event Photos
Event Agenda
Global Recognition of Indian Degrees Soon
Source: Times of India | March 10, 2014
NEW DELHI: India is set to get full-fledged membership status of the Washington Accord by June, enabling global recognition of Indian degrees and improving mobility of students and engineers.
Secretary higher education Ashok Thakur also said steps were being taken to set up National Accreditation Regulatory Authority (NARA), supplementing the country’s efforts to improve quality and meet international standards.
“After acquiring full status of the Washington Accord, employability of Indian engineers in other countries will go up substantially. This will help our students pursuing technical education,” Thakur told reporters here.
India is a provisional member of Washington Accord since 2007 and is confident to get the full-fledged status by June when a meeting of of the body is due to take place, he said.
The Accord signed in 1989 is an international agreement among bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programmes. So far, some 16 countries are signatories to it.
Thakur said two members were deputed by the Washington Accord to help India align its accreditation norms with the best international practices.
Talking about NARA, he said it will be an autonomous body comprising experts who will identify agencies for accrediting institutes. UGC will initiate steps to set up the body soon, he said.
At present, the accreditation is provided by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and National Board of Accreditation (NBA).
Government has made accreditation mandatory for all educational institutes and UGC has come up with a set of guidelines in this respect.
He also said that IITs are free to decide if they wish to be accredited by these bodies as these premier institutes have so far refused to be accredited. IITs have instead decided to go for an internal accreditation process.
Thakur, however, sought increased involvement of the IITs with the NBA accrediting institutes.
TCS Insights: Attaining full membership under the Washington Accord will let Indian engineering students better pursue their studies or careers internationally. With programs officially being regarded as up to the level of those at other institutions around the world, Indian degree holders will become more in demand over the coming years.
CIEC Presents… The ‘Business of Education’ Dinner in Vancouver, BC
On June 6, CIEC will host a landmark dinner event in Vancouver, BC at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. CIEC’s Canada West Chapter’s must-attend event will feature a “who’s who” of education including illustrious speakers such as:
- Hon. Minister Amrik Virk, BC Minister of Advanced Education
- Hon. Minister Peter Fassbender, BC Minister of Education
- Hon. Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors
- Devinder Shory, MP Calgary Northeast
- Hon. Pierre S. Pettigrew, PC, Chair, Canada India Education Council
- Prof. Niloufer Adil, CIEC’s Academic Advisor & Past Secretary-India’s University Grants Commission (UGC)
- Dr. Alan Davis, President-Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Dr. Robert Kuhn, President & Chancellor, Trinity Western University
- Prof. Andrew Petter, President- Simon Fraser University
- Dr. Lane Trotter, President & CEO, Langara College
Learn about BC’s new education quality assurance standards (EQA) and examine the confluence of ‘business’ with education. How do we measure ‘ROI’? BC is committed to increasing international students by 50% by 2016.
Register or view Agenda / Speaker Profiles / Sponsorship Options
14 new IIITs to be established, Shashi Tharoor says
Source: Times of India | February 19, 2014
NEW DELHI: The government has approved the establishment of 14 new Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT), Parliament was told on Wednesday.
“Under the approved scheme of setting up 20 IIITs on a not-for-profit public-private partnership, the central government has given approval for establishment in 14 states,” Minister of state for human resource development Shashi Tharoor said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
The new IIITs would be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Tripura.
TCS Insights: The rise in number of establishments to provide higher education to students comes at a fortunate time as India is currently witnessing increases in post-secondary enrolment. The distribution of the schools is also a needed benefit to the country as higher education has been thought to not be accessible enough potential students.
DAVV Makes The Grade, Gets ‘A’
Source: Times of India | February 22, 2014
INDORE: Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) has received a shot in arm on Friday with National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) reportedly giving it a top rating of Grade ‘A’.
In a year when the varsity is celebrating golden jubilee, the improved rating, up from ‘B’ last year, will put it on national level, sources said.
NAAC executive council, Bangalore, at its meeting on Friday, gave it 3.09 out of 4 institutional cumulative grade point average (CGPA), rating ‘very good’ on the basis of 33 key parameters and 1,000 marks test. Students celebrated the occasion by bursting crackers at RNT Marg and Khandwa Road.Elated over its achievement, vice-chancellor Dr DP Singh said, “It is a great achievement for the varsity. The grading will help the varsity to grow. It will make the university eligible for more funds from UGC, international collaborations and placements.” It was a major hurdle which the united members of the varsity have cleared, he added.With grade ‘A’, its chances of getting ‘Innovation University’ tag will get stronger. The tag comes with University Grants Commission (UGC) funding of Rs 100 crore to Rs 300 crore to go beyond confines of formal research and design concept to innovate unique applications of old technologies using design to develop new products and services.
TCS Insights: With a grade of ‘A’ having been awarded to DAVV, the institution will now be regarded on a national level. It will also be more likely to receive government funding and international attention.
45% Dip in MBA Degree Registrations in 4 Years
Source: Times of India | February 17, 2014
MUMBAI: In the last four years, the demand for an MBA degree in Maharashtra has dipped drastically—around 45%—with only around 53,000 candidates registering for the 2014-15 state common entrance test for admission to management colleges. In 2011-12, around 96,000 candidates had registered for the MH-CET for admission to MBA/MMS institutes. Experts attribute the decline in number of registrations to the slow economy globally. However, experts believe that this year’s registrations depict a slightly better picture compared with last year’s—though there is no data available to substantiate it. In 2013-14, admissions to MBA/MMS colleges in the state were done based on scores in common management admission test (CMAT), which was conducted by the All India Council for Technical Education. As CMAT was conducted thrice for these admissions, data on the number of students who had registered from Maharashtra alone are not available with the directorate of technical education (DTE).
But in 2013-14, the DTE had received applications from only 20,757 eligible candidates, which was the lowest since 2010 for over 45,000 seats in the state. Fearing a repeat of last year, the state government had decided to revert to its own CET this academic year. However, the response was still “not as good as it was before the CMAT”. As the last day of registrations has been extended up to Monday, officials expect the number to rise by 2,000.
“Of the 53,000 candidates, who will take the MH-CET this year, the number of eligible candidates will definitely be much more than last year’s—20,757. This year, there will be no group discussions and personal interviews, so more students might qualify. It is a hopeful trend for the students, B-schools and the industry,” said Apoorva Palkar, president of the Association of Indian Management Schools. She added that the biggest challenge for students this year is the introduction of the online MH-CET.
“The state is conducting CET only for 65% of the total seats; the rest of the seats are filled on the basis of other entrance exams, such as CAT and CMAT. Over 53,000 registrations for close to 30,000 seats are not bad,” said Dayanand Meshram, joint director of DTE.
Palkar said that in 2008, there were 15 registrations for every one seat, but now the ratio is slightly above 1:1, which is worrisome. However, she said the numbers are already on the uptick. Increase in the number of seats has also contributed to the poor ratio.
A state official said that the placement scenario is also not as good as it was two years ago. “After spending a lot of money on the course, students expect a decent placement offer,” said the official.
TCS Insights: Over the last four years, the number of Indian students in Maharashtra registering in programs to pursue an MBA has decreased by 45%. However, recent numbers are thought to be on the rise due to the recent changes in the application process. Through the removal of one-on-one interviews and group activities, students should have an improved opportunity to successfully apply to the MBA program of their choice.
HEQCO Report Touts Benefits of Blended Learning
Source: HEQCO News Release | January 29, 2014
A new study by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) provides further evidence that combining online and in-class teaching methods (known as blended learning) gives students more flexibility. The study, which examined students in 3 first-year social science courses at McMaster University, found that 80% of students used the blended learning modules on a repeat basis — most often from their personal computers at their leisure. Instructors expressed that because students had learning materials in advance, in-class time could be better focused on interaction, assignments and assessments, and students were less anxious in busy lab environments.
TCS Insights: With an increased emphasis on a blended learning style, students have the opportunity to not only come to classes prepared with notes but keep up to date with their studies while off campus. This can be beneficial to international students who find themselves outside of Canada for extended amounts of time as well.