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- In: Articles | News | Newzealand
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AUCKLAND – The number of Indian students heading to New Zealand has been steadily increasing over the past five years. This year the government is making efforts to see a marked rise in enrolments, marketing itself as a safe alternative to neighbouring Australia where many Indian students have faced racist attacks.
Although Australia has nearly 90,000 Indian students and New Zealand only about 6,000, it is a huge rise from the 500 in this country five years ago.
“India has become an important source for students in recent years. The New Zealand government very much welcomes this growing Indian student body,” says New Zealand High Commissioner to India Rupert Holborow.
New Zealand invests about NZ$3 billion annually in the tertiary (universities and polytechnics) education system where most of the Indian students are enrolled. And following a spate of attacks on Indians in Australia, the New Zealand government has asked its trade and enterprise office in India to market the country as a nation with a culture different from its neighbour.
“What we want to do is to remind education agents in India that New Zealand is a different country from Australia – in the nicest possible way,” Robert Stevens, chief executive of Education New Zealand, was quoted as saying by the New Zealand Herald in June.
Many Indians living in New Zealand agree.
“I came here in February 2008 and I haven’t faced any racial discrimination,” says Joseph Lenus, an Indian pursuing a Diploma in Business at the Waikato Insitute of Technology (Wintec) in Hamilton.
Pharbhu Parsotam, an Indian origin resident of Hamilton, represented the New Zealand hockey team in the past and has coached various club teams. He believes that the country is very accommodating of people from other nationalities.
“I have never faced racism in all my playing days and after. In fact, I had been subjected to howling occasionally on roads but nothing in the sporting area or ground,” says Parsotam.
Nagaraj from Chennai, who has been studying physiotherapy at the Waikato University from July 2008, says he likes New Zealand’s educational system because unlike in India it is student- oriented.
“Here we have a more relaxed way of learning and the tutors are casual in their approach. So adapting to studies and life is easier,” says Nagaraj.
There are also a lot of job opportunities in New Zealand despite the global recession.
Gurminder Singh, who hails from Punjab’s Jalandhar district, is pursuing a Diploma in Business Administration at Wintec and also doing part-time work.
“I work for 20 hours per week and earn nearly $200. With this money I could cover my living expenses as well as save and send for my family back home in India,” says Singh.
Students enter New Zealand through a one-year student visa, which gets converted to a graduate open work visa for one year and allows them to opt for any job.
After one year, they can opt for a two-year work visa. Meanwhile, they can apply for permanent residency and get one if they get maximum points in the skilled migrant category.
Daphne Bell, a community organiser in Hamilton who teaches immigrants English for free and has authored “New to NZ: A Guide to Ethnic groups in New Zealand”, says that Indian migrants provide a symbol of multi-culturalism that is essential for New Zealand.
“Indians work harder than the natives and New Zealand should make all efforts to tap the potential of the migrants,” she says.
New Zealand is a multi-ethnic country and is predominately populated by the white population known as Paheka. The indigenous Maori community constitutes 16 percent of the population.
Historian and Auckland Institute of Technology professor Paul Moon says that though the Maori population was initially cold to Asians, there is now a better understanding among them for political rights.
“This is reflected in the election of Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi of the ruling National Party as a member of parliament,” says Moon.
Suman Kapoor, New Zealand secretary of the Global Organization for People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), says Indians are safe in New Zealand because of the political clout that they enjoy.
“Indian origin people enjoy enormous political influence because political parties look up to them for funding during the elections,” says Kapoor.
- In: Articles | UK
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Source: Education Times, India
The UK may once again emerge a preferred destination for higher studies among Indian students, as the recent spate of attacks on the current
batch in Australia forces them to redraw their plans. One of the best education systems and shortest visa processing time make UK the strongest contender to replace this affordable and easy-going destination for education.
“The pattern of education is the same in Australia and the UK, as they both offer similar courses. And since, UK enrolls students in the September period versus July for Australia, this is still an open option for students,” said the director of a large education consultancy firm in Mumbai. The average fee for a course in engineering or MBA is the same in the UK as that in Australia.
Over time, the UK has slipped to third place as the chosen foreign country by Indian students: in 2008, only 29,000 students landed on UK’s shores, against 90,000 for the US and 36,000 for Australia. A higher cost of living and a two-year work permit after graduation as compared to permanent residency saw more students flocking to Australia.
It was in early 2000s that Australia sensed an opportunity in educating Indian students. The Australian universities joined hands with the government, and organised education fairs in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Punjab, among other places, with a focus on the campuses and the courses offered.
The sweeteners were too lucrative for Indian students to ignore: permanent residency within three years after studying for 18 months in Australia, and a host of job opportunities. In the past few years, a total of 90,000 students have taken up higher studies in the island nation, according to industry estimates.
“Those who do not want to settle abroad or have plans to take up a job elsewhere opt for the UK. However, most of them want to start their career abroad and settle there, and Australia gives them this opportunity,” said an industry official requesting anonymity.
While most students prefer a one-year diploma course, others opt for a two-year course in engineering and computer science, which costs around Rs 13 lakh, nearly half the fee for a similar course in the US. This excludes books, housing and food.
“A lot of students choose Australia because of the vocational courses offered by its universities. The most-sought-after courses among Indian students are hotel management, hospitality, accounting and hair-dressing,” said Piyush Agrawal, a director at Abroad Education Consultants.
However, in the recent past, the visa application process has become tedious in Australia, benefiting the UK. As a result, the current academic year has seen around 25% of the students opting for the UK as a study destination. Last year, 29,000 students opted for the UK, 24% less than Australia’s intake during the year.
“A UK visa takes a maximum of 21 days to be processed, but it takes almost 45 days for Australia. Other countries such as New Zealand and Ireland, which are emerging as study destinations, take over two months to process student visas,” said Madhukar Reddy, consultant director at IAEC. The number of visas issued to Indian passport holders to enter New Zealand to study almost doubled in 2008 to 4,978 from the previous year.
If the UK regains the second spot as an education destination for Indians, it will lead to millions of pounds pouring into the country’s slowdown-hit economy — the 29,000 students who preferred to study in the UK last year contributed £750 million, according to industry estimates. Similarly, the 90,000 Indian students who have landed on Australian shores have already supported its economy with a generous helping of A$10 billion.
The UK, which was the original foreign destination of Indian students since late 1800s, has seen architects of modern India such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru study in its elite universities. It was only in the second half of 1900s that the US become the choice of a majority of Indian students, as the country emerged a global superpower and offered good education opportunities along with lucrative employment options.
So you think studying abroad might give your career a boost, do you? Well, you’re right. While you’re traveling the world, seeing the sights, you could also be picking up valuable contacts, cultural insights, and language skills that will give you the edge you need in your career — if you choose wisely.
In an increasingly competitive global job market, it seems obvious: Studying abroad can take your resume from dull to distinguished. What company wouldn’t want a worker with an international perspective, an open mind and fluency in a few languages under his or her belt? But as a university student, it is important to remember that it takes a bit of savvy and a go-getter attitude to truly make your study-abroad experience an asset to employers.
The program of your dreams
Just ask Till Müller. Currently working on his doctorate of jurisprudence at the University of Kiel, Till has been studying international law for six years, one of which he spent in the United States.
Till says he applied to his program, a longstanding partnership between the University of Kiel and Indiana University, with his career in mind. “In studying in the U.S., I hoped to gain valuable insights as to why American scholars usually have a completely different approach to international law compared to European scholars,” he recalls. “IU offers two full paid fellowships for Kiel students every year, and I got lucky.”
It was a bit more than luck that landed Till such a prestigious opportunity. At Indiana, he discovered differences between the German and American approaches to law — an insight that will allow him to better communicate with lawyers and policy makers across the globe. Seeking out just the right program was the key to making Till’s time abroad really count.
In fact, it’s the recipe for success for anyone looking to make their experience the investment of a lifetime. The adage, “It is what you make of it,” applies doubly here, so as you start to plan your time abroad, make sure you have a grip on what factors will give your career a boost.
A recent study by the Rand Corporation / College Placement Council Foundation found that simply studying for a period of time in another country doesn’t automatically make students more qualified for employment.
The study instead found that it takes a longer stay (more than a semester), real immersion (learning the language), and more practical work experience (internships or research) to develop the skills that will up your chances in the job market.
The best study-abroad counselors at universities are singing the same tune. “If a student can present a successful study abroad period on his or her resume, this shows that he or she manages to adapt to different systems,” says Oliver Fuchs, international officer for the Business Department at Fachhochschule Aachen. “Apart from that, it enriches the resume with foreign language skills, which you will only learn by living in the country.”
Business Babel
But which language is best when it comes to getting ahead professionally? What if you studied Sanskrit? No language is superior to any other, obviously, but some might be a tad more useful in today’s international business arena.
The Steinke Institute in Bonn projects the GNPs of countries all over the world for the year 2025 and assesses the value of their respective languages. They predict that by 2025, the top five languages for foreign trade will be English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and German.
Jennifer Goodfellow decided to hone her skills in one of those “Big 5” — German. A student at Edinburgh University, Jennifer decided to pack her bags in 2006 and head to Munich to study. “I think that it’s rarer for people to study German as opposed to French or Spanish, but I think it’s a more useful language due to all the major businesses with bases in Germany,” she says.
Jennifer’s approach was spot on as German is exceptionally handy in the current business climate. A powerhouse of international corporations, Germany came in fourth on the Fortune Global 500’s 2007 list as home to 37 Global 500 companies, 11 of them ranked in the top 100. Little wonder Germany is the world’s largest exporter of goods.
Jennifer adds, “Having a second language is always going to be a useful skill and something that employers will look for, especially multi-national companies.” Even better when that language is one of the most in-demand languages of business.
About Germany
Posted on: June 30, 2009
- In: Articles | Germany
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- Source:
www.photocase.de
Experience new things, have fun and relax. Vibrant cities with amazing architecture, fabulous shopping and pulsating nightlife. Enchanting medieval villages and traditional wine villages with friendly festivals and regional specialities. Picturesque countryside which is perfect for walking or simply relaxing in. Castles, palaces and abbeys that are the epitome of German romanticism. Fun & sport, wellness & relaxation.
A land of a thousand possibilities.
Source: www.deutschland-tourismus.de
A land of superlatives spanning the traditional and the modern. Home of the Hohenzollern royal family, cuckoo clocks, zeppelins, Daimler and Porsche.
Real enthusiasm for life. Blue skies and crystal clear lakes. Small medieval towns and vibrant cities. Old Bavarian traditions and warm hospitality. Mystical forests and snow-capped mountain peaks. Outdoor activities and relaxation.
The new Berlin is a city in transition. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany, the country’s largest city has become even more cosmopolitan, a place where “east meets west”. Germany’s vibrant capital is a permanent hive of
activity.
The region around the German capital offers the best of everything – Potsdam, its state capital, the idyllic Brandenburg countryside as well as the vibrant city of Berlin.
Bremen, the dynamic heart of north-west Germany and the traditional home of the Bremen Town Musicians. A modern federal state that’s a perfect blend of traditional values and a cosmopolitan.
One of the most exciting parts of northern Germany. From high to alternative culture, from historical to modern, from the urban to the countryside, excitement by day, by night, on land or on water: Hamburg is open to all sorts of influences.
People with charm and joie de vivre, friendly and sincere. Whether you are looking for culture, activities or a family holiday – Hessen has countless attractions to offer. Frankfurt am Main is Europe’s financial services capital and Frankfurt Airport is the largest aviation hub in continental Europe.
The region is shaped by water, be it the fascinating coastline or the varied countryside inland. The Hanseatic towns hold impressive reminders of the region’s former power, and its seaside health resorts still reflect their history as leading spa destinations. Palaces, stately homes, parks, gardens and lakes are characteristic features of the state.
Discover something amazing – experiences for all to enjoy. From the East Frisian islands and Lower Saxony Wattenmeer national park to Lüneburg Heath and all the way to the Harz mountains there are plenty of attractive holiday regions.
A region of contrasts. City tours full of culture or industrial culture full of excitement, active holidays and rural bliss in natural surroundings, a haven of health and fitness for anyone seeking to relax – North Rhine Westphalia has it all!
A federal state unlike any other. A region as interesting and diverse as the people who live here, its culture as rich and varied as the history that shaped it. A fascinating blend of romanticism and excitement. Discover an ideal holiday destination.
Saarland, the smallest of Germany’s federal states, borders on France and Luxembourg. Its Völklingen Ironworks UNESCO world heritage site is its most popular cultural attraction.
Apart from the well-known cities, Dresden, Chemnitz and Leipzig, Saxony also has delightful smaller towns like Meissen, Seiffen or Annaberg that are well worth a visit. The Elbe Sandstone Massif in Saxon Switzerland and the Erzgebirge mountains never fail to enchant visitors.
Pre-history, the Middle Ages, the Reformation and the Enlightenment, industrialisation and classical modernism – Saxony Anhalt is a treasure trove for cultural, educational and sightseeing tours, perfectly combining learning and leisure.
The region is defined by the North Sea and the Baltic, with the rhythm of life determined by wind and waves and the ebb and flow of the tides. An ideal holiday destination for families, water sports enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Where the most precious treasures are nature and culture. The cradle of German Classicism, where the memory of Luther, Bach, Schiller and Goethe is still very much alive. Also home to Jena Optics and the largest teddy bear in the world.
Source:
Wikipedia
Famous Highlights / Events in Germany
- Brandenburger Tor
- Bodensee
- Canstatter Wasn
- Dresdner Zwinger
- Hamburger Hafen
- Kölner-Dom
- Loreley
- Reichstag-Berlin
- Schloss Neuschwanstein
- Oktoberfest
German Education Institutions collaborate with Indian Companies to provide India with production technologies for renewable energy
Posted on: June 30, 2009
- In: Articles | Germany | News
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Source: TU Braunschweig
IIRA (Investment, Innovation and Research Alliance), a German technology based resource organization which facilitates and supports the education, research and innovation, announced on June 11th the launch of a project under their 2 year research campaign. The project – Production technologies for renewable energies in India – has been designed to facilitate development of production technologies for renewable energies in India.
“With India’s significant economic growth, there is an enormous and steadily increasing energy demand. We aim at utilizing our aspired cooperation and technical prowess to enable the development and manufacturing of appropriate renewable energy equipment.” said, Dr. Christoph Herrmann, Technische Universität Braunschweig (TU Braunschweig), Germany.
The project is a cooperation project between the two participating German production technology institutes, The Institute of Machine Tools and Production Technology (IWF) and The Institute of Joining and Welding Technique (IFS). These institutions are affiliated with the TU Braunschweig.
Undertaken by the Institutes IWF and IFS in three process steps, the project’s first phase includes the initialization of contacts to Indian companies and research institutes and the identification of cooperation partners for common projects among those. In February 2009 the representatives from the institutes visited Bangalore, Mumbai and Valsad to establish a first network by attending the International Engineering and Technology Fair 2009. Cooperation opportunities were developed and discussed through workshops with the IIT Bombay, M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology in Bangalore. Furthermore projects with GadhiaSolar Energy System Pvt. Ltd. and the TU Braunschweig were agreed upon and the development of long term cooperation between the Indian and the German universities are in progress.
The second phase focuses upon ensuring that the existing cooperation with the current contacts remains comprehensive and stabilized. The institutes from TU Braunschweig as well as the Indian university partners are in the process of presenting the current state of research and technologies in the topic of green manufacturing.
The third and final phase includes intensifying and developing the established contacts into long term cooperation between the Indian and German partners. As a result, further visits from German representatives to India are planned as well as return visits from the Indian site in Germany. This would also allow progress with the international research cooperation that allows exchange between researchers, students and teaching staff as well as collaborative activities in teaching, curricula development and research and technology transfer for subjects related to efficiency and effectiveness in production.
For further information on the upcoming workshops in July and the ongoing activities of projects from TU Braunschweig please visit also our home page
http://www.tu-braunschweig.de/india
- In: Articles | Germany | News
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Higher Education Pact, Initiative for Excellence, Joint Initiative for Research and Innovation
Federal Government and the federal states have approved around 18 billion euros of funding for universities and research institutions up to 2019. As a result, the measures that are already running – Higher Education Pact, Initiative for Excellence, and Joint Initiative for Research and Innovation – have seen their budgets grow.
This includes the creation of an additional 275,000 study places. The Initiative for Excellence to Promote Science and Research at German universities has also been provided with a secure outlook. The non-university research institutions will now receive the necessary freedoms to enable them to continue their dynamic development. “By adopting this package of Higher Education Pact, Initiative for Excellence, and Joint Initiative for Research and Innovation, we are decisively strengthening the international competitiveness of German science and research,” emphasised Federal Research Minister Annette Schavan.
The three major initiatives have already triggered a new spirit in Germany’s universities and research institutions, and the first successes can already be seen. For example, some 4,200 staff have been recruited so far as a result of the Initiative for Excellence. Almost a quarter of these scientists came from abroad. The development also opens up real prospects for young researchers. The number of doctoral students has grown by around 10% per year under the Joint Initiative for Research and Innovation. Minister Schavan also pointed out that this package is the greatest investment in research, science, innovation and education ever to have been made in Germany.
- In: Articles | Ireland | News
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DUBLIN – Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has launched a twin India-focussed initiative at the Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland during a visit that helped spark a renewed interest in India at the 417-year-old university.
The university announced the establishment of an India chair and a post in Indian studies to coincide with Kalam’s visit Friday – held amid a warming of India-Irish ties and plans for greater collaborations in education and science and technology.
The post in Indian studies has been sponsored by groups representing the 25,000-strong Indian community in Ireland while the India Chair will be funded by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), Trinity Provost John Hegarty said.
The university hopes the move will attract more Indian students, particularly in the fields of science and technology, where the numbers of Irish students have been falling.
“At the moment we have around 100 Indian students. We can quadruple that without a problem,” Hegarty told IANS.
“We want to attract the best Indian students. The motivation is not only financial – we have to make sure we are delivering quality as well. The experience of every student while they are in Trinity is vital to us,” he added.
Trinity College, which figures in lists of the world’s top 100 and Europe’s top 50 universities, has a historic connection with India dating back to 1762, when it established its Chair of Oriental languages
The links grew exponentially in the second half of the 19th century when it hosted an India Civil Service School, which supplied over 150 graduates to the ICS, the bureaucratic service that ran the British Raj.
The author of the first Linguistic Survey of India (1898-1928), a mammoth compilation, was Trinity graduate George Grearson – a mathematician-turned Sanskrit scholar who too joined the ICS.
Hegarty said the university now wanted to build upon those historical links and was particularly keen to attract young Indian researchers in science and technology, having set up a 75 million-euro research institute for Nano science.
“We only upped our game in India two years ago. We want to be a magnet for the best students from India and elsewhere,” he said.
“Ireland has a problem of brand recognition as a country. We want to tell Indians that here they have another English-speaking country in Europe.”
– Report by IANS
Study Abroad Guide-GECS India 
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