Over the past weeks, education officials have been forced to cancel classes and close the doors to campuses across the world in response to the growing coronavirus outbreak. In addition, US institutions have switched classes to online learning, cancelled spring break trips and students studying abroad in China, Italy and South Korea have been encouraged to return home to complete their studies.

While class closures, dips in enrollment at the beginning of a new semester and cancellations may be temporary, it’s hard to foresee whether the novel coronavirus will result in long-term disruption to the higher education system.

Understanding the economic impact

One of the biggest concerns for the sector at large is the percentage of international students that make up the domestic higher education markets. In the US alone, Chinese students make up 33.7 per cent of the foreign student population, while Indian students comprise of 18.4 per cent.

While travel restrictions to and from China have been helpful in slowing down the spread of the disease, they have also left international students stranded. According to a Covid-19 Survey by the Institute of International Education (IIE), 830 Chinese students have been unable to return to the US to continue their studies. While this may be a small percentage of the overall international student population, the question remains: How long will this last? If the restrictions remain in place, the US higher education system could bear the brunt of an economic downturn. So, how should universities and colleges around the world adjust their learning styles to retain program enrollment and provide accessibility to students?

Maximise online learning

The most effective tool in keeping student retention and maintaining access to learning has been online courses. Universities across the US, in particular, have adjusted their programs in response to the spread of the coronavirus.

Stanford University has called off the remaining two weeks of in-class lectures, urging its professors to move any remaining lessons online. The University of Washington announced a ban on on-campus classes until after spring break, after a member of staff was diagnosed with coronavirus last week. Other universities, including New York’s Hofstra University, New Jersey’s Princeton University and Seattle University are making starting to make the move to virtual classes.

Develop robust systems

While the majority of colleges and universities around the world integrate some form of online education into their coursework, moving all programs online may prove challenging. While some universities may already have strong online systems, smaller universities may struggle under the weight of the demand. University course creators should work closely with their IT departments to ensure their programs are able to be supported online.

One such university that is currently undertaking these measures is the University of Southern California, which is testing its online platforms to ensure its technology can handle its 7,000 plus lectures.

Educate students on best practices

With online learning the way to go, universities should also ensure students and staff are protected while on campus.

While Covid-19 is a high risk for those over 60, traditional-aged university students face relatively low risks from the disease. However in recent weeks, we have seen just how quickly the novel coronavirus can spread in areas with a high concentration of people – and university campuses are no exception.

Administrators should undertake simple measures to prevent the spread of the disease on their campuses. This should include instructing students on the appropriate protocols for hand washing, covering sneezes and coughs with their elbows, and self isolating if they are experiencing flu or cold-like symptoms.

Educators should also be aware of students who have travelled extensively during the spring break, and remind those who have been abroad in heavily affected places to be mindful about returning to campus.

Gather information and apply learnings

Universities and colleges yet to implement changes to campuses in response to the novel coronavirus should take cues from others who have already taken action. They should analyse the steps already taken by other educators to understand what has worked, what hasn’t worked and how to tackle the challenges they may face. With the spread of the disease expected to worsen before it gets better, administrators should take quick action to safeguard their campuses and students in preparation for potential closures.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The higher education sector has withstood turbulent economic times in the past, and it will withstand them again. In a digital age, universities and colleges are better placed today more than ever to provide students with easy access to continue their studies online.

The post The impact of coronavirus on higher education appeared first on Fortune Study Abroad.

New Delhi:

NEET exam for admission to undergraduate courses will be held on July 26. NEET UG was earlier scheduled on May 3 but the exam had to be postponed due to the nation-wise lockdown announced in response to the coronavirus pandemic. National Testing Agency (NTA), the conducting agency for the medical entrance exam, will release NEET admit cards 15 days before the exam. NTA has also extended the application correction facility till May 31.

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NEET UG exam is held for admission to MBBS and BDS programmes offered at medical and dental institutes.

The format for the NEET Exam remains in the pen-paper mode and the syllabus for the exam also remains the same as last year. NEET exam covers topics in Chemistry, Physics, and Biology (Zoology and Botany) syllabus from class 11 and class 12.

Meanwhile, HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ unveiled a mock test app, ‘Abhyas’, for JEE Main and NEET aspirants. Students due to appear for the NEET exam this year can download the app and practice mock tests.

“This timely launch is designed to ensure that no student is left behind in getting exposure to online testing, especially when NTA’s Test Practice Centres are shut due to COVID-19 lockdown,” Mr Pokhriyal had said during the launch of the app.

Apart from the ‘Abhyas’ app, several states have also made arrangements for students to practice for the exam. Gujarat Board has released question bank for NEET, JEE Main, and GUJCET exam. Tamil Nadu is providing free coaching to NEET aspirants from government schools. Odisha is also providing free NEET coaching to poor students.

The post NEET UG 2020: Medical Entrance Exam In July; All Latest Updates Here appeared first on Fortune Study Abroad.

New Delhi: China has overtaken Russia as the favourite destination for Indian students for doing MBBS course to become doctors. More than 32,000 students who did their MBBS course from different medical colleges in China sat for the screening test in India from 2012 to 2018, while more than 17,000 students doing the same course from Russia sat in the examination during the period.

According to figures provided by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), as many as 20,314 students who did their MBBS course from Chinese medical colleges, appeared for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) test, mandatory for them to clear in order to practice in India, in the last four years, from 2015 to 2018. However, only 2,370 students were able to clear it.

Russia, on the other hand, attracted fewer students, as during the period of 2015-18, only 11,697 doing MBBS from that country appeared for the FMGE, out of which only 1,510 could clear it. Interestingly, it was the united Russia (the USSR), that used to attract the maximum number of students from India to realise their dream of becoming doctors.

The other countries which attracted Indian students for doing MBBS during the period 2015-18 include Ukraine (8,021), Kyrgyzstan (5,335), Georgia (1,682), Kazakhstan (1393) and Armenia (1,096).

According to the NBE figures, a total of 61,708 foreign MBBS graduates appeared in the FMGE test during the period 2015-18, but only 8,764 were able to clear it.

As per the details, the number of Indian students who appeared in FMGE, after doing MBBS from China was 11,825 during 2012-14, out of which 2,239 cleared the FMGE test. The number of students who after doing MBBS from Russia sat for the FMGE was 5,950 in 2012-14, out of which 1,094 passed the FMGE test. Thus, a total of 32,139 students went to China from 2012-18, while 17,647 students doing MBBS from Russia sat for the FMGE from 2012-18.

With a record number of students from India enrolling to study medicine in China, the country’s education ministry has authorised only 45 of the local medical colleges from among over 200 to enroll foreign students to teach MBBS in English. Besides India, China attracts students from other Asian countries, due to its affordable courses compared to institutions in the US, UK and Australia.

Sources said that at present, over 23,000 Indian students are studying different courses in Chinese universities, out of whom 21,000 have enrolled to study MBBS. This is an all-time high.

The post More Indian students doing MBBS in China than in Russia appeared first on Fortune Study Abroad.