Does UK Universities Need To Offer Better Learning Experience To International Students?

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If you are planning to study a management programme from a leading B-school in the UK as an international student, then it is certainly a great idea as you will receive high quality education and will become eligible for lucrative career opportunities. At present, the United Kingdom is among the foremost destinations for most international students, which has almost holding around 12.6 per cent of the worldwide recruitment market. However, several higher education experts believe that the viability of such a market is becoming increasingly uncertain.

                              Drop In International Students 

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During the 2013-2014 period, enrollments for both non-EU and EU students have fallen significantly. Where as non-EU learners comprise 48 per cent of the UK postgraduate STEM courses, you can see a 50 per cent fall in the number of postgraduate students from India. Dr. Thushari Welikala , lecturer in higher education at King's College London, wrote in a recent post in The Guardian,

“The falling numbers have been attributed to a range of factors: increasing global competition, the strict migration policy of the UK and the emerging new regional markets such as China, Egypt, Japan and Malaysia. ” She added “But there is another issue that universities are often less keen to discuss: are international students satisfied with the quality of their university experience while studying in the UK? ”

Around 24 per cent of the complaints submitted to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator last year mostly came from international students. This must send some cautionary which should send some cautionary messages to the higher education sector. I believe the main issue here is that UK higher education treats the international student experience simply as a “catch-all phrase.” Most UK universities take steps to provide support to international learners, allowing them to interact with home learners and become critical thinkers. But this approach is simply not proving effective.

               Need For Improving The Learning Experience

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Most studies on international student experience concentrates on the differences in learning styles or the cultural differences among home and foreign learners. However, this divide between foreign and home students has resulted in some counterproductive descriptions and misleading expectations.

Welikala wrote “Universities need to change their perceptions about how students learn and why they are here. Students today – whether home or international – have access to multiple ways of learning. They make use of a range of learning sites both physical and virtual. The so-called “passive Asian students” are very smart users of modern technology and are well connected with the online world. They are already international.”

                                 A Better Study Option

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If you ask me, studying business online from a reputed UK business school is a much better decision than going for traditional college education from the UK. Why? Firstly, you will be able to save a lot of money and avoid student debt as you will not be required to excessively high fees. Online business courses offered by leading UK schools are highly affordable as they aim to expand the reach of education. Moreover, by pursuing online study UK you will get excellent flexibility and convenience. This will allow you study and work a full time job simultaneously. However, if you are concerned about the quality of education, then you will be glad to know that most leading B-schools and universities in the UK offer the same curriculum and content in the online courses as in their on campus programmes.

You will be able to acquire comprehensive knowledge of the core management concepts and develop essential skills that will empower you to accomplish your professional goals. The degree/diploma you will earn by studying in an online business management School UK will make you eligible for the best career opportunities in your desired field, not just in the UK, but across the globe.

If you want the best learning experience as an international student, then the smartest option for you will be to opt for online business education as it will offer you significant professional and personal benefits.

What do you think? Share your thoughts and opinions with me by commenting below.

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The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act UK is set to curtail Potential Extremism from Schools

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The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act of UK has recently made an obligation to supervise and monitor school students behavior in order to control terrorism. The Act applies to primary and secondary, state and independent schools and also include warnings against "non-violent extremism .The legal duty has been fastened since David Cameron, the prime minister, demanded “a full-spectrum response” to the killing of as many as 30 British tourists in Tunisia. According to the regulatory body young minds are like wet soil, so its easier to mold their thoughts, as they don't have the rational enough to understand the difference between the good and the vises.

Dealing with the Devil Within 

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With the new guidelines brought in action , the school teachers panics on how to maintain and safeguard the interest of the children and guide them away from extremism.

In order to ease the situation , Nicky Morgan the education secretary said the teachers “will do exactly what they do at the moment” if they sense the students are been drawn towards fanaticism.

Under the current circumstances , the schools are perfectly equipped with the necessary guidelines to be followed in case of any radical activities. But the new Act enforces some additional measures to counteract the rise of extremism at the adolescent age.

"Schools and childcare providers already play an important role in protecting and safeguarding young people including from radicalization and extremism," said the education secretary Morgan.

Morgan while interviewed at the BBC Radio cited example of a student who thinks homosexuality is wrong and the Islamic States are quite tough in handling it. Such a though might trigger a sense of revolution in that student and thus begins the idea of terrorism. So this is another reason why this regulatory Act is now been brought into existence .

Reduce Risk of Terrorism

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A 24x7 helpline service has been established for any immediate assistance for the teaching faculty , any school staffs or childcare providers if they sense any risk of potential terrorism among the blooming youth.
Terrorism not only includes violent measures but also non-violent thoughts which later turns into implications. So from now on it is the responsiblity of the teachers to identify the pupils with potential extremist ideologies , bring them into notice of the special trained staffs and help them to challenge their ideas.
Schools should ensure that the students are not allowed to access any materials related to terrorism online.Free discussion in classes would also be halted , which might have a negative impact on the teacher student relationships.

The regulations set out a definition of extremism as "vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs".

The Verdict

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There had been incidents where bright young talents have left UK to join the militant groups of Iraq,Syria etc. The constructive reason behind this is their thoughts had been channelised to the imperative aspects of fanaticism since childhood .
With great power comes great responsibilities- now its in the hands of the individual to use their rights to build a better society to live in or replace it with t he living hell !!
Do you thin that the new security guildelines would help students to fight with their inner demon(if any) and evolve as a better soul or curtailing certain rights would make them aggressive. Share your thoughts with us.
Source : bbc.in/1GNuhoy