How To Get Away with Cheating

In India, examination papers can be traded, much like government secrets. You just have to know the right names in the business - and be prepared to pay the price.

 

The NEET-UG paper leak is the latest red mark in the country’s scam tainted exam verse. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET (UG), formerly the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), is an Indian nationwide entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission in undergraduate medical programs. It is one of the most important examinations in India.

 

To say paper leaks are a common occurrence in India would probably be an understatement. There are a couple every year or so. Important exams such as the Indian Army’s Common Entrance Examination, the Central Teachers’ Eligibility Test (CTET) 2023, and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains 2021 have all been subject to leaks. According to India Today, there have been 65 paper leaks in India since 2019.

 

The kingpin of the recent NEET-UG is behind bars and accomplices are being nabbed one by one in what seems to be straight out of the pages of a crime thriller. There are reports of the examination papers being stolen from a trunk.  

 

Wouldn’t it have been better if all these sophisticated investigation techniques to catch the perpetrators were put to use before the examinations were planned and conducted? Considering leaks are common, we should have been able to come up with a foolproof system by now. The Indian Institutes of Management were able to do it after the Common Admission Test leak in 2003.

 

How long till another mastermind is created and another leak springs forth? There have been cries for a complete overhaul of the examination framework and switching to an online format. But online examinations are not without their share of glitches. Plus there is ChatGPT and an entire army cyber criminals to worry about.  In a country where 45 per cent do not access the internet (IAMAI-Kantar study, 2023), online exams would put the sizeable rural population at a disadvantage yet again.

 

What then is the solution? Tackle the rot, dismantle the framework and put proper safeguards in place? Or lie low for a while till the current outrage becomes yesterday’s news and wait for the next leak?

Australian Universities Accord

 

Jason Clare MP, Australia’s Minister for Education has recently released the Australian Universities Accord Final Report. The report, touted as the “blueprint” for higher education in the country, aims to create a long-term reform plan for the higher education sector to meet Australia’s future skills needs. The final report includes 47 recommendations and proposes big changes that Australia should meet head on.

 

What does it mean for International Students?

 

According to the report, education makes an enormous contribution to Australian tertiary education by enabling Australian learning and teaching to have wider impact, helping universities to invest in important research, adding to diversity, and being an important avenue for soft diplomacy and international linkages. 

 

In 2022, Australian higher education providers enrolled almost 450,000 international fee-paying students (more than a quarter of total enrolments), with around 120,000 of these studying Australian higher education courses from outside Australia. International student fees contributed more thana fifth of overall university funding. Now Australia’s fourth largest export, international education is a fixture of the economy.

 

A strong and sustainable footing is important. On the demand side, fluctuations in enrolments risk the stability
and viability of institutions. On the supply side, there have been failures in quality and integrity in some parts of the market, and these must be addressed. 

 

The report recommends managing volatility in demand where possible, including by diversifying markets to avoid overreliance on a small number of countries. 

 

Some international students seek a migration pathway. In line with the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy goal for a better targeted system, the report recommends that the tertiary education sector should encourage these students to study courses linked to Australian skill shortages and to study in regional locations. 

 

The sector should protect its reputation and ranking as a study destination by lifting course quality and improving the overall student experience. TEQSA should take an evidence-based approach to ensure that providers have appropriate risk management strategies for international education to issues including managing demand volatility, course concentrations and the quality of the student experience, and access and availability of affordable housing. The financial stability and integrity of Australia’s international education system should be addressed. 

 

This is the first broad review of the sector since 2008. “The Australian Universities Accord has recommended how to reform higher education over the next decade and beyond,” notes Jason Clare MP, Australia’s Minister for Education.

 

You can access the report here: Australian Universities Accord.

Drop in Indian student applicants to UK universities in 2023: UCAS

Courtesy: Pixabay

While the UK has always been one of the top 3 study abroad destinations for Indian students, recent figures released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) indicates that there has been a drop in applications from India. While international student applicants have spiked up by 0.7 per cent, there has been a significant 4 per cent drop in Indian student applicants to UK universities in 2023.

"This data indicates a decrease in applications from mature students, particularly impacting fields like nursing. However, it is expected that these applicants will be more inclined to apply later in the process," commented Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Executive, UCAS.
 
According to experts in the higher education space, the UK Government’s recent visa rules might have something to do with the change in sentiment. According to a new mandate, the UK will limit foreign students from bringing family members with them with the exception of students enrolled in postgraduate research courses and/or availing government funded scholarships. The new regulations, effective from January 2024, has created a fair bit of uncertainty regarding the viability of UK as a prominent study abroad destination for Indian students. Recent media reports highlighting the difficulties faced by many Indian students in getting employment after completing their degrees has only added to the confusion.
 
In an interview published on Moneycontrol, Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham has said that UK will continue to be a favourable study destination for Indian students despite the recent changes. According to Tickell, it is those universities that focus on recruiting lower-performing students which have seen the biggest fall in applicant numbers from India.

 

Indian Institute of Heritage and University of Birmingham announce strategic partnership

Courtesy: University of Birmingham 

The University of Birmingham and the Indian Institute of Heritage are joining hands  to create new opportunities in the fields of Heritage, Museums and Museology. The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore a strategic partnership that will create impactful collaborations in the field of education and research. The partnership will help students and experts from both institutes to participate in research projects as well as drive student exchange programmes between academics.

“The University of Birmingham is a global ‘civic’ university, and we are committed to forging meaningful education and research partnerships in India. Indian students occupy an important place in our global student community and our commitment to the country as a strategic partner. This partnership with the Indian Institute of Heritage allows both institutions to build on our undoubted strengths across heritage, museums, and museology – creating opportunities for students and staff in both India and the UK,” said Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham.

The University of Birmingham is renowned for its proficiency in heritage research, and its International Centre for Heritage stands as a global pioneer in adopting sustainable and innovative methods for heritage management practices and future strategies. The postgraduate programs offered by the Centre equip students with the necessary skills for pursuing careers in heritage, with numerous alumni holding prominent positions in museums and conservation agencies.

The University has established meaningful collaborations in India, supported by its India Institute, which seeks to enhance Birmingham's presence, influence, and coherence in its involvement in the country.

The Indian Institute of Heritage is a prominent cultural institution in India. It conducts research on India's diverse heritage and provides outstanding educational opportunities that make significant contributions to the cultural, scientific, and economic aspects of India. The institute offers M.A. and Ph.D. programs in various disciplines, including Museology, History of Art, Conservation, Archaeology, Paleography, Epigraphy, and Numismatics. These programs are enriched through close collaboration with the National Museum in New Delhi, involving engagement with galleries, exhibitions, storage and reserve collections, and the conservation laboratory.

Dr. B. R. Mani, Vice-Chancellor, Indian Institute of Heritage said, “Indian Institute of Heritage is stepping towards making its global presence felt in the field of culture and heritage. This collaboration will result in creating informed and efficient heritage professionals and academicians in the future. It will be benefiting our students and staff. The Indian Institute of Heritage is focused on creating a comprehensive pedagogical framework with incorporation of modern working methodologies and technologies, work ethics, and other fundamentals.”

US-India task force set up for expanding research & higher education partnerships

Courtesy: Association of American Universities

A new task force consisting of university research and higher education leaders from the United States and India has been set up to make recommendations for expanding US-India research and higher education partnerships.

The co-chairs of the AAU Task Force on Expanding United States-India University Partnerships include The Pennsylvania State University President Neeli Bendapudi, University of Illinois Urbana-Campaign Chancellor Robert J. Jones, University of California San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla, University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi, and current Johns Hopkins University Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Sunil Kumar (who is set to become president of Tufts University on July 1).

AAU has created this task force in coordination with the Biden administration’s US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), which seeks to grow technological and industrial collaboration between the two nations. The task force will meet monthly to determine key focus areas for bilateral research and education cooperation, to identify existing programmes that could provide blueprints for future partnerships, and to formulate strategies on how best to move forward.

“It is nearly impossible in today’s world to make advancements in scientific research and technology without international collaboration and cooperation,” said AAU President Barbara R. Snyder. “This is why the Association of American Universities is proud to lead this effort to strengthen relationships between leading US and Indian research universities and to lay the groundwork for shared future scientific and economic success.”

Five Australian unis place ban on Indian students

Courtesy: Pixabay

Five Australian universities have placed bans on students from a few Indian states in response to an increase in fraudulent applications. According to emails in Australian media, there has been a “crackdown on applications from Indian students”. 

The universities alleged to have placed a restriction on Indian students are Victoria University, Edith Cowan University, the University of Wollongong, Torrens University, and agents working for Southern Cross University.

According to reports, the restrictions apply primarily to applicants from eight Indian states — Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat. However, in an official statement released recently, the University of Wollongong has denied placing restrictions on students from India.

The UOW said in a statement that it “does not have any restrictions on student applications from India other than the standard entry criteria we apply to all international students and the requirements of the Australian Department of Home Affairs”.

“Like all Australian universities, UOW has rigorous entry criteria for all students. All Australian universities are required to guard against fraudulent applications.” The university statement added that UOW works hard to ensure that the “admissions process is fair and just and accessible to all students”. While this has created a fair amount of confusion amongst Indian students aspiring to study in Australia, it remains to be seen how the situation plays out going forward.

Australia is reportedly set to enrol the highest number of Indian students ever, surpassing the previous high of 75,000 in 2019. 

India, Singapore may join hands to prepare future-ready workforce

Courtesy: @SGinIndia on Twitter

India and Singapore are exploring the possibility of joining hands to prepare a future-ready workforce. According to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, “skill development and knowledge collaboration are an important element of the strategic partnership.” Pradhan was addressing a G20 workshop on “Skill Architecture and Governance Models of India and Singapore.”

“Skilling is lifelong. In the next quarter century, 25 % of the global working population will come from India. Until and unless we skill, re-skill and up-skill our young demography and prepare them for the Future of Work, we cannot fulfil global responsibilities.”

Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong said that Singapore was honoured to be part of India’s education and skilling journey. The G20 workshop was attended by representatives from schools, government, industry and other stakeholders.

At a time when India’s “worthless degrees” have come under flak, a strategic partnership and exchange of best practices could help India revamp its model with focus on skill development as laid out in the National Education Policy 2020.