An application data app reveals an 18-percent decline in the number of Chinese student applications to US higher education institutions for the coming academic year compared to the previous year. The decline is more worrying because US HEIs report a nine-percent boost in international student applications overall. Chinese students contributed about $15.9 billion to the US economy in 2019. The data appears to indicate the dwindling interest of Chinese students in making the US a study destination, partly due to US visa restrictions, heightened anti-Asian racism, and rising tensions between the US and China.

Transport Canada is extending flight bans for direct inbound travel from India until September 21, 2021. This move was advised by the Public Health Agency of Canada as the high rates of COVID-19 cases persist within the South Asian country’s borders. Some students who flew back to India at the outset of the pandemic continued to face struggles in moving forward in their academic journey, even those who are in their final year. Parents of these students have been asking the government to help save the students’ academic year.

Amid the unprecedented advances of the Taliban in taking over Afghanistan, about 35 Afghan students fear losing their chance at a Chevening scholarship to study in the United Kingdom. Reports said that this led UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to promise the government to help these 35 students in getting visas despite being blocked by the Foreign Office. The students also worry that the scholarship could make them targets of the Taliban, prompting Johnson to say that efforts will be made to expedite the approval of their visas.

The English Language Students Union (ELSU) in Ireland offered support to English language students amid fears of losing their legal status in Ireland after a travel agency failed to secure visas or register them for classes. It is suspected that at least €250k worth of student cash was collected by directors of the company and then allegedly fled to Mexico. While the probe on the alleged fraud is launched, ELSU has raised the issue with the Minister for Justice.

Consulting firm EY’s global head of education Catherine Friday predicts that international student numbers in Australia will not recover to 2019 levels even after the lifting of restrictions. The prediction is based on an EY survey of Australian and New Zealand institution officials. The report further states that the financial strain on higher education institutions may lead to significant cuts in staff, mergers, or closures. Friday states that a forced shift in the funding model away from international education may lead to changes in program offerings. Another forecast puts the potential losses for HEIs at $19 billion over three years.

Higher education advocacy groups in New Zealand are requesting the government to support their plans to attract international students back once restrictions ease. Quality Tertiary Institutions executive director Tommy Honey reveals the action plan includes managed isolation and quarantine or MIQ allocations, student prioritization, and pathways from online courses to in-person learning in New Zealand. Honey points out the need to rebuild student confidence in coming to New Zealand.

International students from China headed to the US had to wait hours at thousand-meter-long queues in Shanghai Pudong International Airport recently to get a boarding pass and check in their luggage. Overseas students also must provide multiple certificates before being allowed on the flights. The protracted process is due mainly to the easing of travel restrictions, which has resulted in a massive influx of people anxious to board flights. Fewer flights at full capacity have also contributed to long lines, delays, and escalating ticket prices.

As the education sector in Waterloo, Canada prepares for the return to classes and HEIs continue to roll out vaccination requirements, Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association President Ben Easton announced that the bigger concern is on international students who are not yet vaccinated or were vaccinated by non-Health Canada approved jabs. In the hopes of preventing infections and ensuring safety in universities, WUSA’s advocacy prioritizes calling for the implementation of showing proof of vaccination status. Additionally, those who are yet to be vaccinated will be supported in finding ways to get immunization while being required to commit to regular COVID-19 testing.

As France eases travel restrictions for international visitors, the Indian Embassy has announced that all Indian students arriving in France can apply for health passes. France opened its doors to foreign students in July this year. However, the French government has mandated that all the students must get health passes. All adults, including foreign students, are also required to prove that they have been vaccinated before entering any public place with more than 50 people. If not inoculated, they would have to show a negative RT-PCR test. Places where the new rule would be implemented include cafes, restaurants, fairs, shopping malls as well as trains and planes.

The Taiwan government will grant an estimated 13,000 visas to foreign students before schools open next month. The study visas will be granted to those studying for a degree and people enrolled in Chinese-language scholarship programs, but not for exchange students or those in short-term language classes. The Ministry of Education has also announced that online learning will remain available to international students who cannot travel to Taiwan due to COVID-19 outbreaks in their home country.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an autonomous agency for international students, will take care of the Afghan students in the country. Students will receive stipends and can reside in the hostels in their universities. The ICCR has also been receiving requests from students in Afghanistan to expedite their visas and permit their entry into India. The agency is yet to discuss with the higher authorities the issue of study visa extension and scholarships. There are more than 2,000 students from Afghanistan in India and nearly 50% of them went back home once lockdown was implemented in India last year. Despite this, universities are still trying to connect with students who left due to the pandemic.

Students heading to US universities from the United Arab Emirates are suffering delays of up to two months due to the backlog in visa processing. The US embassy in the UAE admitted that the pandemic has reduced their visa-processing capacity. However, the US embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US consulate general in Dubai are working to ensure that student visa applicants will arrive at their university on time. The embassy also said it had already processed nearly 3,000 student visa applications in 2021 and would continue to prioritize students in their operations.

Located in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Parkland College has six campuses and one training center. It was established in 1973 as Parkland Regional College. The college got its present name in 2008. Currently, it has over 1,650 part-time students and around 600 full-time students. Programs at Parkland include diploma, certificate, apprenticeship, adult basic education, and university transfer. Students can study agriculture, kinesiology, police studies, and more. 

Parkland is also the only college in Saskatchewan to offer a full-time firefighting program. Parkland College is recognized as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that allows students from India, China, the Philippines, and Vietnam to apply for the Student Direct Stream (SDS).