Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) has re-introduced a bill to reform visa policy (S. 2653) intended to enhance U.S. competitiveness in attracting international students, scholars, scientists and exchange visitors. The bill would also ease business travel. Among other things, the "American Competitiveness Through International Openness Now Act of 2008" ("ACTION Act") would:
· Require the Administration to develop a broad strategy relating to increasing U.S. competitiveness through visa policy for students, scholars, etc. Such a strategy would include a "clear role for the Department of Education in increasing the competitiveness of the United States for international students"
· Establish an International Education Coordination Council, to include representatives from relevant agencies and departments, in order to coordinate activities related to the legislation
· Eliminate the "intent to return" provision for students and replace it with language requiring the student to have the intent, ability, and financial resources to complete a course of study in the U.S.
The bill will be available soon from thomas.loc.gov by searching for "S.2653."
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Universities announce increased support for graduate students
There was an unusual concentration of university press releases this week announcing increases for fellowships, stipend levels, or research support. Announcements came from the University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University, the University of Maryland-College Park, and the University of Pennsylvania.
www.indystar.com
media.www.dailynorthwestern.com
www.mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?id=141255&type=Daily
media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com
The globalization of higher education is now front-page news
The New York Times kicked off a series on "Global Classrooms" with front page stories Sunday and Monday. The first two installments highlighted U.S. universities establishing oversees campuses, mostly in the Persian Gulf region. While focused on undergraduate programs, one American professor teaching overseas commented on the difficulty of recruiting faculty to join him, "Coming to Qatar, where you don't have graduate students and research grants, does you no good for getting tenure."
www.nytimes.com/2008/02/10/education/10global.html (reg. req.)
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