INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS in New Zealand : Public schools and private English teaching institutions have reduced expenditures due to a slowing down in the growth of the number of international students. Teaching specialists estimate that the growth in the number of foreign students, which was 80,000 in 2002 may decrease by 50% between now and the end of the year and may even worsen in 2004. Such a decrease could threaten the survival of small language schools as well as lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs.

RICKSHAWS in India : In the state of Manipur, one of India's smaller states (with around 2 million inhabitants), graduates and even doctorates are forced to pull rickshaws for a living due to the stagnant employment market. The majority of these people wear masks, whilst carrying out their jobs to cover their faces and therefore prevent them from being recognised.

ATTACKS in Australia : Approximately 400 students from the CAP university as well as members of it's staff have demonstrated to protest against the increase in the number of sexually motivated attacks on campus, of which the figures are unofficially estimated to be far higher than those published. The Vice Chancellor (President) of the establishment announced to the crowd that it is "profoundly worrying the number of rape cases reported on campus."

France-Québec : The international recognition of degrees and the expansion of the franco-quebecoise cooperation are the subjects at the heart of the fourth annual meeting for those in charge of the franco quebecoise university cooperation. It has been organised by the CCIFQ (centre for the franco-quebecoise interuniversity cooperation) to take place in Marseille between the 15 and 17 May 2003.

France at the WEM : France will present at the WEM, (World education market) which will take place next week in Lisbon, it's first catalogue for the promotion of on-line programmes offered by French Higher Education Establishments. Thierry Audric, General Director of EduFrance, reveals that this catalogue "e-France", will address international students as well as international education institutions.

Europe-Canada : Through the use of the educational programme for young people entitled "Acadia" and launched in 1998, the European Commission hopes to strengthen ties between young people and increase the number of international exchanges. It is equally "impatient to see Canadian students participate in the Erasmus Mundas programme after it's launch in 2004 and for Canadian Educational Establishments to form partnerships with other European Universities".

France ESCP-EAP : L'ESCP -EAP has received the accreditation of the international AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). L'ESCP-EAP will therefore become the second french university, after the HEC, to be at the same time accredited to l'AACSB, the American association, by l'EFMD (European foundation for management development), a European association that delivers the EQUIS label, and by l'AMBA (Association of MBA), a British Association.

Great Britain POINTLESS STUDIES : "I am indifferent to the fact that there are medievalists purely for decorative purposes, but there is no reason that the state should pay for them" announced Charles Clarke, Education Minister, during a conference held last month at the University of Worcester and from which the extracts are now being published and have angered British medievalists. According to the minister, education courses should have a "clear use" if they are to be financed by the state.

DATING : Students of Cambridge University will soon be able to find a boy/girlfriend in 3 minutes due to the universities "speed dating" service. A concept invented in the US Speed Dating brings together 30 single people of each sex in a bar and gives them 3 minutes to talk to the person of their choice. This service, baptised "Varsity Dates," is organised by three students and has already filled all 60 places. If it turns out to be a success, the programme will be extended to Oxford and universities in London.

UNIVERSITY FUNDS in Italie : The Council of Ministers approved on the 2nd May a decree of the Higher Education Ministry, which will create support funds for young people worth 75 million Euros. This money will be used to create 8,500 study grants, 3,500 of which will be used for the international mobility project ERASMUS and 5,000 for doctorates and research funds.

MONTESSORI. For the first time in Hong Kong a training centre for the educational doctrine Montessori will be opening it's doors in the British ex-colonial territory. This training programme is the result of a partnership between the MCI (International Centre Montessori) based in the United Kingdom, and the preschool group Woodland, created in Hong Kong. Lorraine Hughes, creator of Woodland, hopes that classes will begin by the end of this year.