North America

In the USA, government agency SEVP is creating panic, stating that on-campus IEPs (Intensive English Programs) may not be able to operate unless their "host" institution has specific ESL-accreditation. Otherwise, the IEP may not be eligible to enrol international students until they gain such certification, which could take over a year.

Continuing its campaign to attract more of the best and brightest international students, the USA has expanded the list of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) degree programmes that qualify eligible graduates for extended post-study work experience, or "Optional Practical Training".

The Canadian government has closed six visa offices abroad. Critics say the move complicates foreign relations and will affect Canada's ability to attract foreign students, given the sudden closure of visa issuing offices in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Germany, Japan, Iran and Serbia.

North American educators met with education agents from around the world at the ICEF North America Workshop in Montreal, Canada in April. A French language symposium on the history and purpose of agents...

Over half of education agents attending the IALC Workshop this year were new to the event (55%), enabling the association to showcase independent schools and gain a wider exposure in the international education industry.

The US State Department has announced major reforms to tackle abuse of its J-1 Summer Work and Travel Program, which brings over 100,000 students to the US each year. Working in "goods-producing" industries or in a job with primary hours from 10pm to 6am will be banned, since an investigation found the scheme had been abused by wily employers.

Eighteen educators from US institutions had the opportunity to meet with potential partner campuses in Brazil last month as the culmination of the IIE's International Academic Partnership Programme (IAPP). Delegates insist closer relations will now foster greater opportunity, with institutions mindful that language programmes are an integral bridge to greater academic exchange.

Canada – an active player in the roundtable on international education – has spoken to The PIE News about why it has not signed up to the London Statement.

Indian education ministers toured community colleges in the US and attended the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) annual convention last week, to gain insight on the American community college sector.

A landmark trip to Brazil by the Governor-General and a record 30 university presidents has proved fruitful as Canadian institutions announce 59 new scholarships, partnerships and student mobility programmes yesterday. The long-term collaborations established will increase Canada's number of foreign students and strengthen research programmes.

US University Tours, which runs fam tours of US universities for prospective international students, has signed agreements with two agencies to promote its latest package. Vietnamese-Russo agency Access American Education (AAE) and India’s Sonya International Education Centre (SIEC) will promote the US firm’s new Open Tours offer in their local markets.

The Canadian Governor-General, accompanied by 30 university presidents, will meet with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in Brasilia as part of a week-long tour to further foster education ties. Governor-General David Johnston is with the biggest delegation ever sent abroad to promote Canadian education.

After the shooting death of two Chinese students at the University of Southern California (USC) last week, campus officials are mourning the victims and hoping the tragedy won't deter others thinking of studying at the university.

Highly-skilled temporary foreign workers in Canada may find it easier to obtain permanent residency under a new, flexible visa scheme outlined this week by Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. This will impact international students choosing to stay in Canada via the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) visa category.

Canadian providers have dominated a ranking of the world's best EFL schools by Ryugaku Journal, the influential Japanese EFL magazine and agency, with five schools making the top 10. CISS at the University of Toronto was ranked first and Global Village in Victoria second, joining schools from the UK, Australasia and one from the USA.