Latest news with #studentexchange
CNA
30-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Singapore and Maldives to deepen cooperation in sustainability, education
More opportunities for student exchanges between Singapore and Maldives, and collaboration in areas such as climate science and weather forecasting on the horizon. This, as both nations look to deepen ties in capacity building, sustainability and education. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is on a three-day state visit to Singapore at the invitation of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Both countries are marking five decades of diplomatic ties. Alif Amsyar reports.
New York Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
U.S. to Review Social Media Posts of Student and Scholar Visa Applicants
The State Department plans to review the social media accounts of foreign citizens who apply for student and visiting scholars visas as it resumes processing those applications. Applicants will be screened for perceived 'hostility' toward the United States, and they will be asked to make their social media accounts 'public' for the review, State Department officials said on Wednesday. All applications for F, M and J nonimmigrant visas, which are for scholarly exchanges and research, will be reviewed, the officials said. Consular officers at missions overseas are being told to look for 'any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles of the United States.' The State Department did not provide further details on how officers would define that criteria. The agency issued the guidelines after halting the processing of student and visiting scholar visas for nearly a month. The new policy appears to be the latest prong in the Trump administration's broad assault on universities, which is focused on trying to tamp down liberal thought at the institutions. Some of President Trump's aides say American universities need to embrace more conservative ideas and people. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai continues to strengthen ties with the UK
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Royal Grammar Guildford School Dubai (RGSGD), the sister school of one of the most prestigious independent British Curriculum schools in the UK, recently concluded a successful series of events designed to deepen its connection with the founding school in UK. As part of the Global Engagement Week, 90 RGSGD senior school students visited the school's home campus in UK. The visit offered students the chance to connect with peers and educators at the founding school and immerse themselves with over 500 years of rich heritage that continues to inspire the ambition and innovation of RGS's community in Dubai. Students engaged with keynote presentations and interactive workshops with the senior leadership in UK as well as a House debating competitions alongside their UK counterparts. RGSGD also welcomed a visit from the UK leadership team including Sarah Creedy, Chair of Governors, Sam Maiden, Chief Strategy Officer, and Peter Dunscombe, Director of Higher Education, and Kate Salisbury, Career and HPQ Lead. During their time in Dubai, they engaged with educators and the senior leadership team to discuss recent updates and strategic vision for the future and joined in celebrating the school's recent Outstanding rating in the British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection. The visit also focused on strengthening collaboration between RGS Guildford in the UK and RGS Guildford Dubai to support students in developing future-ready skills, strong values and a passion for learning beyond the classroom, while providing clear pathways for successful transitions into higher education and the professional world. Members of the UK team also led engaging workshops for parents and students, covering topics such as university admissions, career planning, and the upcoming Year 9 Enterprise Day. Matthew Pearce, Principal of Royal Grammar Guildford School Dubai said: ' At RGS Guildford Dubai, we are united in our mission to prepare students for a successful future. The collaborative efforts with our UK colleagues bring valuable insights and support that help our students, and their parents, make informed decisions early on about their academic and career pathways.' As part of the esteemed Royal Grammar School Guildford family, RGSGD continues to set a benchmark for academic excellence and character development in the region. With a focus on tradition, innovation, and a strong community ethos, the school remains committed to delivering an enriching and future-focused British education. For more information and media enquiries: Plus 1 Communications / yara@ About the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD) is a British Curriculum school for boys and girls aged three to 18 years old. A bright new home of learning, the school opened with world-class facilities in August 2021 for pupils in Nursery and Primary years and the school will grow by year to welcome pupils from FS1 to Year 13. Sister school to the prestigious Royal Grammar School Guildford in the UK, RGSGD combines 500 years of pioneering heritage, innovation and academic excellence with a forward-looking approach to teaching and learning. Located within the Tilal Al Ghaf community development near Dubai's Motor City, the goal at the RGSGD is to deliver a personalised and forward-thinking educational experience for all of its young people, and the cutting-edge, sustainable and inspiring campus supports every part of this. The school is owned and funded by Cognita, a leading global schools group who are establishing a presence in the Middle East with RGSGD as their flagship new school. For more information please visit, About the Royal Grammar School Guildford Located in the centre of historic Guildford, UK, the Royal Grammar School Guildford is an independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18. Its preparatory department is the nearby RGS Prep for pupils aged 3-11. RGS dates its foundation from 1509 and has established a national reputation for academic excellence but also prides itself on its traditional values of decency and respect, supported by very strong extra-curricular activities. A dynamic and forward-thinking environment in which to learn, pupils develop flexibility of mind, resilience, leadership and teamwork and a range of skills appropriate for a rapidly changing, global landscape. RGS pupils emerge as confident, articulate and happy individuals who are prepared to meet the challenges of life at university and the future workplace. About Cognita Launched in 2004, Cognita is an extraordinary community of schools that span 16 countries and share one common purpose: to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. With over 100 schools in Europe and the US, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia, Cognita employs over 18,000 teaching and support staff in the care and education of more than 90,000 students. Together, Cognita schools provide a uniquely global education that goes beyond grades, to develop all-round academic excellence – equipping young people with the agency, adaptability and positive attitudes that prepares them to grow, thrive and find their success in a rapidly evolving world. Cognita Middle East has nine schools within its portfolio, including: RGS Guildford Dubai, Repton Dubai, Repton Al Barsha and Repton Abu Dhabi, Horizon English School, Horizon International School, Ranches Primary School and Al Ain English Speaking School in the UAE, and Dasman Bilingual School in Kuwait.
Free Malaysia Today
11-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
UPSI bus crash has dented confidence in tourism sector, says ministry
The accident on Monday involved a chartered bus carrying Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students, who had celebrated their Aidiladha holiday in Jertih, Terengganu, back to their campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Monday's bus crash which saw 15 university students lose their lives has sparked international concern and dented confidence in the country's tourism sector, the tourism, arts and culture ministry said. In a statement, the ministry said the accident raised serious questions about the country's image as a safe tourist destination, especially with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) less than a year away. 'Stakeholders involved in tourism and student exchange programmes from Asean, the Middle East, China, Japan and Korea have expressed doubts to the ministry about Malaysia's ability to ensure transport safety,' it said. 'Due to current uncertainty over transport safety, many institutions and international partners are reviewing their plans. 'If we cannot guarantee transport safety, it won't just impact educational exchanges -Malaysia's standing as a regional tourism hub will also be at stake.' Return regulatory powers to us, says ministry Stating that the crash was not an isolated incident, the ministry said a major cause of repeated incidents was the fragmented regulatory framework for tourist transportation, which hindered meaningful reform. It noted that while it once held nationwide oversight powers over tourist transportation under the Tourism Vehicle Licensing Act 1999 (Act 594), these powers were transferred to the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), with the ministry only retaining jurisdiction in Labuan, Sabah and Sarawak. It said that since this shift, there had been no comprehensive framework that incorporated tourism-specific needs, safety requirements for travellers, or international standards, creating a 'regulatory void'. 'The ministry, therefore, strongly urges that all previously held regulatory powers be fully returned to the ministry. Tourist transport is more than just mobility – it forms the first impression of Malaysia and reflects our tourism image. 'Building a safety framework that meets the expectations of international travellers and industry stakeholders is our duty. Without this, recurring safety issues will jeopardise national efforts,' it said. The accident involved a chartered bus carrying Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students, who had celebrated their Aidiladha holiday in Jertih, Terengganu, back to their campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak. The bus overturned at Km53 of the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik, killing 15 students. The crash also left 33 others injured, including the bus driver, his assistant and three passengers of a car involved in the collision. At a press conference today, transport minister Loke Siew Fook said his ministry had revoked the permit of the bus operator involved in the crash. He said a preliminary investigation found that the operator had breached several key conditions, including illegally leasing its permit to a third party, and failing to activate the vehicle's GPS tracking system.
South China Morning Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
UK, EU still at odds over students and workers ahead of post-Brexit reset summit
British and European Union negotiators wrangled over measures to ease travel for students, young workers and tourists this weekend, as the two sides raced to resolve policy disputes ahead of a summit meant to reset their fraught relationship. Hours before Prime Minister Keir Starmer was scheduled to host Ursula von der Leyen and other European leaders in London on Monday, the UK and the EU had still not agreed on plans for a youth exchange programme, according to people familiar with the talks. The European side has balked at what it viewed as an unambitious offer that fell short of its desire for Britain to join its Erasmus+ student exchange programme, said the people, who requested anonymity to discuss private negotiations. The UK has so far been reluctant to support policies that could prompt an influx of students and young workers as Starmer seeks to curb immigration five years after Brexit. The lack of progress on youth mobility has made the EU cautious about signing off on other travel-related commitments that were expected in the agreement to be published on Monday, including on touring British artists and the right of UK citizens to use e-gates in EU countries, the people said. There was still hope that a deal could be struck on travel, the people said, although they cautioned that the language might end up being more limited than hoped. In a sign of potential softening of the British position, Starmer told the Times newspaper that a deal on students could be possible, saying that 'youth mobility is not freedom of movement'. Student travel has been among several sticking points that have vexed negotiators in the weeks leading up to the summit, which was intended to affirm Starmer's commitment to restoring relations with the continent since taking power last year.
