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UK varsities face funding ‘crunch’ as Nigerian students, others go elsewhere

UK universities are among the most prestigious in the world, but visa restrictions mean they are now attracting fewer international students — taking a heavy toll on their finances.

The restrictions are compounding problems caused by the UK’s departure from the European Union four years ago.

Almost 760,000 foreign students were enrolled in British universities in 2022, making Britain the second most popular destination after the US, in a highly competitive market.

Most come from India, followed by China and Nigeria.

But last year, the number of student visas fell by 5 per cent. Between July and September, student visa applications slumped 16 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The decline is a major cause of concern for higher education institutions since foreign students pay far more in fees than British students.

Leo Xui, 20 years old and from China, began studying population and health sciences at University College London in September.

“It’s good for my career,” he said of enrolling abroad. Thinking ahead to when he will return to China, he added: “I will be able to apply for a foreign company.”

His fees for the academic year are £31,000 (37,200 euros). British students attending universities in England have paid a maximum of £9,250 since 2017.

The Labour government, elected in the summer, announced last week that the cap would rise to £9,535 from next year, a move welcomed by universities who have been calling for an increase for years.

Universities UK (UUK), which represents 141 British higher education institutions, warned at its conference in September that funding per student is at its lowest level since 2004.

It estimates that the £9,250 fee is worth less than £6,000 because of inflation, leading to deficits in teaching and research.

– ‘Crunch’ –

“We are all feeling the crunch,” UUK president Sally Mapstone told the conference.

Universities have welcomed more foreign students in a bid to fill budget gaps, to the point where many are financially dependent on them.

According to a parliamentary report, foreign students make up more than half the student body at London’s University of the Arts and Cranfield University, a science and engineering institute just north of the British capital.

The Financial Times reported earlier this year that some universities, including York, have lowered their admission criteria to attract more students from abroad.

But the previous Conservative government, ousted from power in July, complicated the universities’ task by imposing restrictions on student visas as it sought to reduce record levels of regular migration.

It forbade foreign students from bringing family members with them, with a few exceptions, and prevented them from switching to work visas while studying.

In the first four months of 2024, there were 30,000 fewer applications from overseas than in the same period in 2023, according to official statistics.

“These hard numbers confirm our fear that the previous government’s changes have made the UK a less attractive study destination,” said Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute think-tank.

– Overseas campuses –

Provost Ian Dunn of Coventry University, where more than a third of the 30,000 students are from overseas said the Tories’ “narrative was very destructive”.

The university had already been impacted by Brexit.

“We had 4,400 students from the European Union. Now we’re probably at 10 percent of that,” he said, adding that the situation was “difficult”.

A lecturer at another English university told AFP that teaching positions as well as courses had been cut.

“The drop in international students has dramatically worsened the crisis for us,” she said on condition of anonymity because she was not authorised to talk to the media.

“Some have preferred to go to Canada, Australia or the Netherlands, where courses are taught in English,” she added.

Coventry University may have found the answer by partnering with institutions overseas to open campuses in several countries, including Egypt, Morocco, India and China.

At the end of their studies, students may not have set foot in the UK but they still “obtain a degree from Coventry University”, said Dunn.

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Education

WAEC bans 13 schools in Kogi for examination malpractices

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The West African Examination Counci (WAEC) has banned 13 schools in Kogi for various degrees of examination malpractices in the 2023/2024 examinations.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mr. Wemi Jones, made the disclosure during a meeting with some principals and supervisors who were indicted by WAEC for the examination malpractices.

The commissioner also disclosed that the council had blacklisted 14 supervisors for various degrees of malpractices in the 2023/2024 West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in the state.

According to him, Government has vowed to sanction school principals, teachers and supervisors who engaged or aided examination malpractices in the state.

Jones emphasized that examination malpractices remained a criminal offence and would be treated in accordance with the Law.

He said that henceforth exam malpractice offenders would be prosecuted in accordance with Kogi State Education Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2020.

He stated that a committee would be set up to be headed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to investigate personalities indicted by WAEC.

The commissioner warned that whosoever was found wanting would be prosecuted in the Law Court.

“Kogi State has invested so much in Education and will no longer tolerate the attitude of the ‘bad eggs’ drawing back the gains already made in education sector,” Jones said.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Dr. Seidu Jibrin, admonished the principals and the supervisors to desist from any act of examination malpractice.

According to him, such actions are not just robbing the state but destroying the future of the students.

“I urge you to have a sober reflection of your actions as posterity will judge everyone according to his/her deeds.

“While some teachers are being called out for awards, it will be wrong for you to be called out for condemnations.

“It is unfortunate that this is happening when Kogi State is investing so much in Education, whosoever is found culpable will be severely sanctioned

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Education

UniZik faults FG for dissolution of governing council, VC removal

The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UniZik), Awka, has faulted the recent letter from the Federal Ministry of Education, claiming the dissolution of its Governing Council and removal of Professor Bernard Odoh as Vice-Chancellor.

The letter, signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, cited alleged breaches of university regulations and disregard for directives as reasons for the decision.

According to the Ministry, the Governing Council had appointed an unqualified Vice-Chancellor, an action it claimed is stoking tension and a breakdown of order within the institution.

But, in a swift reaction, Unizik management dismissed the Ministry’s letter which it said is intended to set fire on the institution.

The Personal Assistant to UniZik’s Vice-Chancellor on Information and Public Relations, Charles Otu, in the statement, contended that the Ministry lacked the authority to neither dissolve the Governing Council nor remove the Vice-Chancellor, citing provisions of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, LFN 2004, which reserves such powers for the President as the Visitor to the university.

Otu said the dissolution of the council was a “mischievous” attempt to destabilize the university, and argued that the Ministry’s actions by-passed the proper channels, as the Governing Council members and the Vice-Chancellor had not been formally questioned or notified.

He maintained that the appointment of Professor Odoh followed due process and had been widely accepted by stakeholders, even as he accused the Ministry of acting in contempt of court, as multiple lawsuits concerning the Vice-Chancellor’s appointment are currently before the National Industrial Court.

Otu emphasised that the matter is sub- judice, rendering the Ministry’s actions premature and inappropriate.

Contrary to the Ministry’s claims of a “breakdown of law and order,” the university stated that its campuses remain calm and that Professor Odoh has been discharging his duties without rancour.

He questioned the authenticity of the letter, noting that it was signed by a Public Relations Director rather than the Permanent Secretary or Minister of Education.

Otu criticized the absence of formal communication with the Governing Council’s chairman, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe.

He urged the public and its community to remain calm, insisting that the courts should determine the legality of the actions of the Ministry.

“Let peace continue to reign supreme in our revered citadel of learning,” he said.

He reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and called for an expedited resolution of the matter through judicial processes.

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Education

Tinubu sacks NAU VC, dissolves governing council

President Bola Tinubu has sacked the new Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) and dissolved the governing council

President Bola Tinubu has sacked the new Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and also dissolved the governing council of the institution.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, adding that Tinubu also sacked NAU’s Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.

The dissolved council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, included five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, and Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.

“The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process,” Onanuga said.

He said the controversial appointment drew the attention of the Federal Government after tensions arose between the institution’s Senate and the governing council.

He said the government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process.

Onanuga further stated that the President approved the removal of the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue State, Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami.

The decision followed Salami’s illegal actions, including suspending the Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, the presidential spokesman said.

“Despite the Federal Ministry of Education’s call for the unlawful suspension to be revoked, Engr. Salami refused to comply. Instead, he resorted to abusive and threatening behaviour towards the Ministry’s Directors, including the Permanent Secretary,” he said.

The Federal Government reiterated that the primary responsibility of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of university activities in accordance with the act establishing each university.

According to Onanuga, Tinubu warned the councils not to create distractions in their universities as his government is focused on improving the country’s education standards.

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Education

Nigeria Secures 7th Position Worldwide for International Students in the US

Nigeria Secures 7th Position Worldwide for International Students in the US

Nigeria has cemented its status as a top provider of international students to the United States, securing the seventh position worldwide and leading in Africa, as highlighted in the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange.

This information was shared by the US Embassy in a statement on Tuesday.

In the 2023/2024 academic year, 20,029 students from Nigeria enrolled in American colleges and universities, reflecting a 13.5 percent increase compared to the previous year.

The report, unveiled during International Education Week, also showed that US institutions are now hosting a record 1,126,690 international students, the largest number ever recorded.

Here are the paraphrased versions of the sentences:

Nigerian students form a substantial portion of this group, recognized for their academic achievements and dedication to pursuing higher education.

Over 55 percent of Nigerian students in the United States are engaged in graduate studies, contributing to the academic and cultural diversity of American universities.

“The report reveals that US colleges and universities host a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students this year, marking an all-time high for international enrolment.

“This milestone aligns with the 75th anniversary of the Open Doors Report, the leading benchmark for international educational exchange in the United States.

“Notably, Nigeria, with 20,029 students, reinforces its position as the top sending country from Africa and the seventh largest globally,” the statement said.

The consistent rise in Nigerian student enrolment highlights the growing desire for US education and the deepening relationship between the two countries.

The statement further emphasized that educational exchanges play a key role in reinforcing these ties, fostering mutual understanding and global cooperation.

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the fastest-expanding region for international education, with a 13% increase in student mobility this year, building on an 18% growth in 2022/2023.

“Sub-Saharan Africa’s student mobility grew by 13 per cent in 2023/24, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing region for the second year, following an 18 per cent increase in 2022/23.

“The influx of Nigerian students is a testament to the robust educational ties between the US and Nigeria,” it added.

The Open Doors Report, released by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the US Department of State, acts as a standard for worldwide educational exchange.

It was launched during International Education Week, a program designed to promote cultural exchange and encourage aspiring leaders to consider studying in the United States.

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Education

The Importance of Education for Children: Unlocking Their Full Potential

Education is a fundamental right of every child, and it plays a crucial role in shaping their future. A good education not only provides children with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life, but it also helps them develop important values, social skills, and emotional intelligence.

Here are some reasons why education is essential for children:

  1. Improves Cognitive Skills: Education helps children develop their cognitive skills, including memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These skills are essential for academic success and future career prospects.
  2. Enhances Career Opportunities: Education opens doors to better career opportunities and higher earning potential. Studies have shown that individuals with higher levels of education tend to earn more than those with lower levels of education.
  3. Develops Social Skills: Education provides children with opportunities to interact with their peers, teachers, and other adults. This helps them develop important social skills, including communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution.
  4. Fosters Emotional Intelligence: Education helps children develop emotional intelligence, which is critical for building strong relationships, managing stress, and making informed decisions.
  5. Promotes Health and Well-being: Education has been shown to have a positive impact on physical and mental health. Individuals with higher levels of education tend to have better health outcomes and lower rates of obesity and mental illness.
  6. Breaks the Cycle of Poverty: Education is a key factor in breaking the cycle of poverty. By providing children with access to quality education, we can help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to secure better-paying jobs and improve their socio-economic status.
  7. Fosters Creativity and Innovation: Education provides children with opportunities to explore their creativity and develop innovative thinking skills. This is essential for driving economic growth, improving living standards, and solving complex global problems.
  8. Develops Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Education helps children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for navigating the complexities of the modern world.
  9. Enhances Civic Engagement and Community Participation: Education helps children develop a sense of civic responsibility and community engagement. This is critical for building strong, cohesive communities and promoting social justice.
  10. Supports Personal Growth and Development: Education provides children with opportunities to explore their interests, develop their passions, and pursue their dreams. This is essential for supporting personal growth and development.

Education is essential for children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. It provides them with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to succeed in life, and it helps them develop into confident, capable, and compassionate individuals.

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Education

Zulum launches summit to reform Almajiri education in Borno

Governor Babagana Zulum has launched a summit to reform the Almajiri education system in Borno State

Governor Babagana Zulum has launched a summit to reform the Almajiri education system in Borno State.  

The Almajiri education system is a traditional Islamic method of learning widely obtained across states in northern Nigeria.

The event held at the conference hall of Musa Usman Secretariat was graced by education stakeholders, religious leaders, and community advocates to discuss innovative strategies to integrate the Almajiri system with basic formal education.

The summit provided a platform for participants to discuss issues, share insights and propose actionable solutions to the challenges faced by the Almajiri education system.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Zulum emphasised the need to address the root causes of insecurity through the provision of education for all citizens of Borno. 

The governor stressed that improper teaching of Islamic studies has contributed to the emergence of Boko Haram insurgents in the state.

He noted that to curtail the adverse effects associated with Almajiri education, the Borno State Government has established the Arabic and Sangaya Education Board, introducing a unified curriculum for Sangaya and Islamic schools.

Zulum also stated that the reform includes establishing Higher Islamic Colleges that cater specifically to Almajiri children, blending religious and secular curricula and equipping them with skills vital for their personal development and future employment opportunities.

“The Sangaya Reform is a great development and will give Almajiri a better chance in life, particularly the introduction of integrating western education, vocational, numeracy and literacy skills into the centres, which are also described as Almajiri and Islamic schools,” Zulum said.

He added, “Distinguished guests and esteemed educationists, government’s intention was to streamline the informal and formal education systems to quality integrated Sangaya school for admission into colleges and universities.”

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Borno State Arabic and Sangaya Education Board, Shiekh Arabi Abulfatahi, expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for giving the board the necessary support in discharging its duties.

The guest speakers, Professor Mustapha Gwadabe from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Professor Mohammed Alhaji from the University of Maiduguri, stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the Almajiri system.

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