The TopUniversities.com guide to the latest higher education news from around the world, on 21 January 2013.
University ‘bidding war’ over Olympian Tom Daley
UK universities are involved in a ‘bidding war’ to attract 18-year-old Olympic athlete Tom Daley, reports This is Plymouth. While the diving star has reportedly not yet even decided whether he wants to start university this year (if at all), a number of UK universities are believed to have made him offers, including two of his local institutions – Plymouth University and Exeter University.
China to have 195 million graduates by 2020
China’s ongoing investment in higher education puts the country on track to have almost 195 million college and university graduates by 2020, according to The Economic Times. This compares to predictions that the US will have 120 million graduates at this point. In the last decade, China has doubled its number of colleges and universities to around 2,400, and quadrupled the rate at which it produces graduates, to around 8 million every year.
Irish college offering free tuition to students who host internationals
Ireland’s Griffith College has announced free tuition for students who provide accommodation and food for international students, reports the Irish Times. Fees at the private college are currently €5,000 (about US$6,650) per year, and set to increase over the coming years, but this will be waived for those whose families agree to host an overseas student. The scheme is being promoted to students from countries including China, France, Russia, Germany and Brazil.
Career earnings for graduates continue to rise in Australia
A new report from the Grattan Institute shows that, while student debt is at its highest ever level, long-term earnings have continued to rise for university graduates in Australia. Estimated career earnings for those with a bachelor’s degree increased by around A$80,000 (US$84,000) in real terms between 2006 and 2011. However, the report also found that recent graduates were less likely to be in professional or managerial roles, compared to 2006.
Protests in Pakistan over politicians with ‘fake’ degrees
Following reports that up to 106 members of parliament in Pakistan may possess forged or suspect degrees, protesters last week staged a sit-in outside the country’s parliament. The issue of ‘fake’ degrees has become a focal point amidst claims of bad governance, reports University World News. Despite enquiries which began last January, few MPs suspected of having bogus degrees have been disqualified or lost their positions. A former law requiring MPs to hold a bachelor’s degree was abolished in 2010, but still applies to those elected before then.