20 July 2011

Prepared by AEI China

This information summarises recent Chinese media reports relating to education. It does not represent the views of the Australian Government.  

Fortnightly news snapshot

This month, media outlets reported on the challenges faced by Australian education institutions as the number of international students decreased.

There was significant media coverage of the Chinese university entry exam, Gaokao, which was recently completed by students. Media outlets reported on university admission scores, which were announced by Chinese universities earlier this month. Reports also covered many promotional activities by education agents encouraging overseas study to students who recently sat Gaokao. AEI China will prepare a separate report on the Gaokao admission scores for each tier of Chinese universities.

The Chinese Ministry of Education recently released the 2010 Statistical Communiqué of National Education Development and this received some media coverage.

Relevant news for other countries included coverage of the Canadian Ambassador’s attendance at a youth event hosted by the All China Youth Federation, changes to New Zealand’s skills migration lists and the increase in students choosing to study in the United States. A  cheating scandal in the United States also received considerable media coverage.

Media coverage on Australia

Australian visa application fees increase In July

Early in July saw media coverage on the increase in Australian visa application fees. The most cited article was written by an education agent and addressed a range of recent Australian visa policies changes, including the acceptance of other English test scores in addition to IELTS. The article concluded that Australia’s visa program still welcomed international students to study in Australia.

Relying on international student fees, Australian universities would face deficit if recruit more domestic students.

Several media outlets in China reported on stories in the Australian media about international education. Chinese media cited an article in the Australian newspaper which said that Australian universities were too reliant on revenue from international students.

One article commented on the Australian Government’s target that 40 per cent of 25 to 34 year olds in Australia have a bachelor of higher qualification by 2025. While this target applies to the broader Australian population, the article cited research from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and indicated that that the increase in the number of international students had contributed to the overall increase in the proportion of people in Australian with a bachelor's degree.

The collapse of two private Australian colleges continued to receive attention in the Chinese media.  Some articles noted that the Australian Council for Private Education and Training was assisting students affected by the closure find a new provider.

Media coverage on China

Thirty per cent of returning overseas students in Ningbo could not get their foreign qualifications recognised

Media outlets reported that many returning overseas students faced difficulties applying for the recognition of their foreign qualifications. One article reported that each year almost 30 per cent of returning overseas students in Ningbo were unable to have their overseas qualifications recognised. Many of these students had qualifications from joint venture programs, with one article identifying a joint venture between a Chinese institution in Shanghai and an Australian institution as an example. The article did not mention the name of the Australian partner institution. Media reminded students to check the Ministry of Education’s approval process for qualifications from joint venture programs before studying overseas.

Release of Statistical Communiqué on National Education Development

Media outlets reported on the Statistical Communiqué on National Education Development which was recently published by the Chinese Ministry of Education. The communiqué contains national education statistics, including statistics on students, teachers, infrastructure and institutions.

Overseas-Study Service Protection Scheme launched in Beijing, students to enjoy more services

Media reported on the Beijing Overseas-Study Service Association’s launch of the Overseas-Study Service Protection Scheme for all students in Beijing planning to study overseas. The scheme offers students advice on studying overseas and Chinese academic credential evaluation services. The scheme also provides students with some protections regarding the payment of fees and access to refunds.

Enhancing cross-cultural communication between different nationalities

The World History Association 2011 Beijing Conference was held on 8 July 2011. Media reported that scholars from more than 30 countries joined the conference, making it the largest History Association conference. Mr Hao Ping, Vice Minister, Chinese Ministry of Education, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

Mme Liu Yandong: increase education funds, prioritise education development

Media reported on a national video conference on education investment and management, in which Mme Liu Yandong, the Chinese State Councillor, emphasised the importance of increasing education funding. Mm Liu said funding needed to be increased to make sure that by the 2012, state financial educational funds account for 4 per cent of GDP.

Seminar on Capacity Building for Polices and Monitoring of Cross-border Education in the APEC Region took place in Shanghai

The Seminar on Capacity Building for Polices and Monitoring of Cross-border Education in the APEC Region took place in Shanghai in late June and received brief media coverage. Media reports commented that the seminar played an important role in enhancing the quality of the cross border education, improving regulation and strengthening cooperation and exchange between APEC members in the Asia-Pacific region. AEI was represented at the seminar.

Tsinghua and Peking University abandoned for Hong Kong universities, what are the 17 Gaokao champions looking for?

There was significant media coverage following the recent release of results for the Chinese university entrance exam (Gaokao). Media reported that several Hong Kong universities had begun actively recruiting top students by offering scholarships of up to RMB 480,000. Top students were also offered places in prestigious mainland universities such as Tsinghua University and Peking University, however, the majority of students chose to study at universities in Hong Kong.  Media commentators said students chose to study in Hong Kong rather than the mainland because Hong Kong universities offered courses taught in English, had advanced learning systems which encouraged students to think independently, and provided more opportunities for international exchange. The scholarships offered by Hong Kong universities were also an important incentive for students. Students who were interviewed by the media said that studying in Hong Kong could give them the opportunity to try something different than the “spoon-fed” education in mainland China.

One year progress review of the National Plan for Medium and Long-term Education Reform and Development (2010-2011)

At a press conference for the one year anniversary of the National Plan for Medium and Long-term Education Reform and Development (2010-2011), Mr Du Yubo, the Chinese Vice Minister of Education, said the implementation of the plan was progressing well. Vice Minister Du outlined major achievements over the past year, including:

Media coverage on the United Kingdom

British University President talks about studying in the United Kingdom under the new visa policies

In March 2011 the United Kingdom Border Agency announced a series of changes to the immigration policies for their Tier 4 student visas, and this continued to attract significant media attention in July. The cancellation of post study work visas was of particular interest. Some articles provided positive coverage and played down the new policies’ negative impacts on students. Media reported on an interview with the president of a British university who said that that the visa changes favoured public education institutions and would reduce the number of poor quality private colleges in United Kingdom.

Chinese students still keen to study in the UK for overseas experiences

One article reported on comments by the British Council that despite recent visa changes, Chinese students were still interested in studying in the United Kingdom. According to the British Council, the reputation of the British education, comparatively shorter degree courses and weak British pound meant that studying in the United Kingdom was still appealing to Chinese students.

Media coverage on the United States

Biggest education cheating scandal in the United States

A recent education scandal in the United States received widespread attention from the Chinese media. According to a report from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, at least 178 teachers and principals in Atlanta public schools cheated to raise student test scores. Media reported that it was the biggest cheating scandal of its kind in the United States and occurred because students’ test scores played an important role in teacher evaluations.  Some reports said cheating had become part of the culture in the United States and that teachers felt pressure to change the scores in order to keep their jobs and receive bonuses.

Number of students going to the United States significantly increase, count down to the 2012  application deadline

Early in July media reported on the increase in the number of students going to the United States, in light of the upcoming deadline for applications to study at universities in the United States in 2012. Articles commented that reasons for the increase include visa policies, the reputation of top universities and various scholarships offered by universities in the United States.  Media also cited comments from an education agent that many American universities had lifted their English requirements.

Some reports said it’s shocking that behind the scandal was the award-winning Beverly Hall, the former Atlanta Public Schools superintendent, who denied the acknowledgement of the cheating and left for a vacation in Hawaii.

Interview with United States education official: let more US students study in China

The Eduardo M. Ochoa, the United States Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education was recently interview Xinhua News in Beijing. In the interview Mr Ochoa said the purpose for his visit was to strengthen cooperation between China and United States, and encourage more United States students to study in China. He advised that Chinese universities do not need to overly focus on university rankings and commented that the community college system in the United States might work well in China.

Media coverage on New Zealand

Updated New Zealand immediate skill shortage list benefits the Chinese students in vocational training institutions

Media outlets reported on New Zealand’s recently announced changes to the skills lists. Many articles highlighted changes to the Immediate Skill Shortage List, where nine occupations were added and one was removed. There was less coverage of other changes, including small amendments to the Long Term Skills Shortage List and changes to the requirements for several occupations.  Articles also mentioned other benefits of studying in New Zealand, such as lower costs English requirements.

Media coverage on Canada

Canadian Ambassador talks with Chinese youth about studying overseas

Talk to the World, an event hosted by the All-China Youth Federation in the China Youth University for Political Sciences, was held in July and attracted some media attention. Media briefly reported that Mr Mulroney, Canadian Ambassador to China, attended the event and welcomed Chinese students to Canada.