The TopUniversities.com guide to the latest university news from around the world, on 5 August 2013.
Australia: University of New South Wales joins MOOC trend
The University of NSW is now providing massive open online courses (MOOCS), joining a trend that has transformed global education over the last two years, reports the Brisbane Times. Coursera, the MOOC platform the university has signed up to, is the world’s largest MOOC supplier – followed by rivals edX and Udacity as well as a number of smaller providers. Other Australian universities launching MOOCs this year include the University of New England and Deakin University.
Philippines: Scholarships scheme for indigenous students proposed
Teddy Baguilat, a member of the Philippines’ government, has filed a bill that proposes introducing a set level of financial support for indigenous students in state universities and colleges (SUCs), reports the Philippine Star. The bill, called The Indigenous Peoples Scholarship Program, calls for a total of P350 million (over US$8 million) to be allocated to scholarships and grants for indigenous students.
UK: Media students to be trained in former Blue Peter set
The UK’s Sunderland University has bought the BBC’s old Blue Peter set, with the intention of using it to train media students, reports the BBC. The set was used to film the popular children’s TV show before the BBC moved filming to Salford in 2011. It will be installed at Sunderland University’s St Peter’s Riverside campus, and will create a “unique and attractive production space”, said the dean of design and media, Graeme Thompson.
UK: Government wants extra 90,000 overseas students by 2018
The UK government has released its International Education Strategy, which sets out a target of attracting an extra 90,000 overseas university students over the next five years, reports the New York Times. The plan includes the expansion of a scholarship program for overseas students studying in the UK. Business secretary Vince Cable said international students “make a huge contribution to Britain... which is why there is no cap on the number of legitimate students who can study here.”