The TopUniversities.com guide to the latest higher education news from around the world, on 31 January 2013.
Student satellite mission almost ready for launch
A satellite mission designed by university students is now in the final stages of development, reports SpaceRef. The European Student Earth Orbiter (ESEO), a project run by the European Space Agency, has so far allowed more than 200 students from 13 universities across Europe to gain experience of working on a real space mission. When complete, ESEO will be used to capture images of the Earth and other objects in space, measure radiation levels and test new technologies.
UK MPs call for exclusion of international students from migration target
Five parliamentary committees have joined in asking the UK’s prime minister, David Cameron, to exclude international students from targets to reduce migration, reports The Guardian. The collective say student visa policy is already deterring many overseas students from applying to UK universities, and warn that this could mean significant losses to the economy, and to “future business opportunities in emerging economies.”
Australian police turn to social media to reassure foreign students
Police in the Australian state of New South Wales say they plan to use social networking sites to communicate with international students on safety issues, reports The Australian. This follows a number of high-profile attacks on foreign students – including one story which was shared 10,000 times on Chinese social network Weibo. The police will use Facebook and Weibo to advise students on staying safe, and provide reassurance that violent incidents are not the norm.
Applications to Scottish universities at highest ever level
The number of students applying to universities in Scotland is higher than ever before, reports the Scotsman. Compared to the previous year, applications from Scottish students have increased by 2%, from English students by almost 15%, from Northern Ireland by 17% – but there were 4% fewer applicants from Wales. Overall, including applicants from across the EU and beyond, applications to Scottish universities have increased by just over 7%.
Debate in Canada over Christian university’s bid to open law school
A civil liberties group has voiced support for Trinity Western University’s bid to open Canada’s first private law school, reports The Vancouver Sun. The bid had been opposed by the Canadian Council of Law Deans (CCLD), which objects to the university’s ban on homosexual relationships among students and staff. The B.C. Civil Liberties Association has suggested the CCLD is attempting to exclude religious institutions from providing legal education – an accusation the CCLD has strongly denied.