In unveiling his ambitious higher education plan last week, President Obama once again framed his desire to make college more affordable as a personal mission, reminding the audience at the State University of New York at Buffalo of his own experience with a hefty load of student loan debt.
Obama took out $42,753 in loans to pay his tuition at Harvard Law School, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. First Lady Michelle Obama went $40,762 in debt to finance her Harvard Law education. Read more...
Visa backlog puts Nova Scotia universities in limbo
Some international students' visas trapped in strike action by foreign service officers.
Universities in Nova Scotia say they are scrambling to deal with a possible shortfall of international students because a strike by foreign service officers is delaying some visa applications.
The federal government and the union representing diplomats and immigration officers abroad — the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers — have been locked in a contract negotiation battle for months. As part of escalating job action measures, diplomats at key visa application centres abroad have scaled back some of their services, including processing visas required for international students studying at Canadian universities and colleges.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials said processing times are within a two-month standard, but university administrators say some students have already decided to go elsewhere. More...
Canadian Alliance for Community Service-Learning (CACSL)
The Canadian Alliance for Community Service-Learning (CACSL) supports, educates and networks to ensure the effective growth of CSL in Canada. Our vision is students, educators and communities learning and working together to strenghten individuals and society. The link address is: http://www.communityservicelearning.ca/en/
Embracing religious difference in higher education
The current controversy over Trinity Western University’s potential law school is one such issue that has generated vicious criticism from both sides. The British Columbia university’s particular code of student conduct is seen by some as a reason to limit the institution from offering certain degrees and keep it at a distance from the rest of the system. However, a recent study on the province of Manitoba found that private, faith-based institutions can be effectively integrated into a provincial system through strategic university policy and institutional collaboration. More...
Red de Macrouniversidades de América Latina y el Caribe
La Red de Macrouniversidades de América Latina y el Caribe fue creada en 2002. Su objetivo es poner en marcha programas cooperativos y solidarios relacionados con la movilidad de estudiantes y académicos, de investigación en las fronteras del conocimiento relacionadas con la solución de los más importantes problemas de las mayorías del continente, con el posgrado, con el financiamiento público y con la preservación y el desarrollo del patrimonio histórico de estas importantes instituciones, siempre y cuando las macrouniversidades cuentan con el mayor potencial regional para realizarlos. The link address is: http://www.redmacro.unam.mx/
Unión de Universidades de América Latina (UDUAL)
La Unión de Universidades de América Latina (UDUAL) se creó en 1949.UDUAL promueve programas encaminados a fortalecer a sus miembros afiliados, a fin de que éstos alcancen la calidad y eficiencia que requiere la universidad contemporánea en respuesta a las exigencias presentes y los retos del futuro, y para hacer de ellos una herramienta eficaz para el desarrollo social, cultural y económico de los países latinoamericanos en pro de una comunidad libre, armónica y genuinamente humanitaria. The link address is: http://www.udual.org/
Confederación Universitaria Centroamericana (CSUCA)
The Confederación Universitaria Centroamericana (CSUCA) is the organization of integration of the Central America Public University System, which promotes the development of the universities trough the cooperation and joint work with society and the State, comprehensive approach to regional problems and their proposed solutions, in a framework of commitments, solidarity, Tolerance, transparence and equity. Promotes the development of scientific, technologic and humanistic knowledge and its application in the training of professionals capable of making choices and influence in the sustainable development of the region. The link address is: http://www.csuca.org/
A quiz on America’s core curriculum
By Valerie Strauss. How much do you really know about the core curriculum that American students are taught? Exploring this is the following piece — along with a quiz — by Marion Brady, who was a classroom teacher for years, has written history and world culture textbooks (Prentice-Hall), professional books, numerous nationally distributed columns (many are available here), and courses of study. His 2011 book “What’s Worth Learning” asks and answer this question: What knowledge is absolutely essential for every learner? His course of study for secondary-level students, called Connections: Investigating Reality, is free for downloading here. Brady’s website is www.marionbrady.com. Read more...
Consejo Centroamericano de Acreditación (CCA)
El Consejo Centroamericano de Acreditación (CCA) se creó con el propósito de establecer mecanismos regionales que armonicen, articulen e integren el esfuerzo de diversas instituciones y organizaciones en el ámbito centroamericano, y den validez internacional a la acreditación de la calidad de la educación superior que se realiza en los distintos países de la región. The link address is: http://www.cca.ucr.ac.cr/
The American dream should really be called the American debt
By Chris Williams. With college loan debt hitting us where it hurts, the American dream has become the American farce for Generations Y and Z. The American dream has become the American farce for Generations Y and Z. Student loan interest rates doubled to 6.8% on 1 July until Congressreached an agreement to change them back weeks later. This isn't some small special interest issue; it impacts 40 million Americans. Indebtedness has become a ravaging disease infiltrating our US waters, and there doesn't seem to be a cure to stem the tides of suffering that so many of us are dealing with at present. There are more questions than answers on how to remedy this unpleasant situation. To his credit, President Obama recently conducted a town hall at the University of Buffalo to discuss his new plan to attack student loan debt for numerous citizens drowning in it. Read more...