Associations

A new tuition protection scheme (TPS) to be introduced in Australia will benefit international students but could heap costs on the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector, a leading sector body has warned. Others have expressed concern that the scheme is being introduced to quickly by the government.

A council charged with making recommendations on the use of paid-for education agents by US institutions held its first public hearing this week, but found few signs of consensus. NACAC’s Jim Miller said that the day was constructive but the council's ultimate task was "finding what's best—and asking what's realistic".

NAFSA, America’s foremost international education body, yesterday announced the recipients of the 2012 Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalisation. The awards recognise education institutions for efforts in areas such as campus practice, structures and policies...

In a boost for US international education, NAFSA's executive director and CEO, Marlene Johnson, has been appointed to federal government's new Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC). The council, comprised of academic leaders, is charged with advising the Department of Homeland Security on issues concerning higher education.

IIE is set to award grants from the Emergency Student Fund to Syrian students studying in the USA who are facing financial difficulties due to the current crisis in the country. It is requesting further donations given a high volume of nominations...

Two-thirds of international students in Australia would reconsider NSW and Victoria as study destinations due to the lack of travel concessions for international students, according to a study by ACPET released today. It argues for a cohesive approach to international student discounts.

Government immigration policy was a recurrent theme at this year’s Languages Canada conference in Vancouver. Many said it threatened the gains made by the association over the last few years, as well as opportunities posed by the new national strategy on international education to be unveiled in June.

According to the latest survey by industry association ALTO, there remains optimism in the study abroad industry about business health. Both language schools (64%) and education agencies (79%) had positive projections for the first quarter (Q1) of 2012, with Argentinian schools among the most optimistic.

English UK is planning a members’ event in Iraqi Kurdistan after a productive visit. The association is keen to benefit from "a great emphasis on education"...

Targeted business information about doing business in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) was the focus for the Association of Language Travel Organisations (ALTO) in its first of four annual events this year. Speakers delivered practical and strategic insight about building business in this region.

ACPET in Australia is to open an office in China this year to promote Australian offshore delivery, with a focus on vocational education and training (VET). The private industry association will open a base in the city of Chongqing to support members seeking opportunities or partnerships in China.

Industry event K Conference in Korea signed a memorandum of understanding last month with the Korean Association of International Educators, ensuring its event spotlights inbound and outbound study...

Quality English held its latest mission in Dubai last week, enabling members - who represent schools from around the world - to network with education agencies...

The UK is still the most popular destination for the Swiss, but the USA is catching up quickly, new research has shown from SALTA. Among all language destinations, the UK catered to the majority of Swiss students last year with 21.6% (around the same as in 2010), while the US catered to 19.3% – up 4%.

The UK’s ELT sector was encouraged to step out of the shadows and get proactive about its brands at the English UK Marketing conference last week. Delegates heard about market opportunities in Kurdistan and Kazakhstan and were given insights into branding by experts in the field.