We’ve highlighted below some of the most recent developments and occurrences in youth-related news and events. In this week's Friday news we speak about Swiss tech universities that boost country's economy by $14 billion, calls from students and teachers for more autonomy for universities in Myanmar and Vietnamese universities that will set their own admission quotas.
Swiss tech universities boost economy by $14 billion
A new report by British consulting firm BiGGAR calculates that Switzerland’s federal technology institutes account for $14 billion and 100,000 jobs, reports the international service of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. Universities such as ETH in Zurich and EPFL in Lausanne are vital components of Swiss economy and image. Many international firms decided to set up their offices close to the universities in order to take advantage of highly-trained graduates. Google has its office in Zurich, while Texas Instruments and Intel have their offices in Lausanne. The report also claims that another 98,000 jobs depend on this branch. One in seven new innovative businesses in Switzerland is a spin-off from ETH Zurich or EPFL.
Universities want greater autonomy in Myanmar
The Department of Higher Education manages universities in Myanmar since 1962, when General Ne Win took power. Before this, the University Acts of Yangon and Mandalay allowed them to remain independent, but after 1962, these acts were revoked. Nowadays, students and teachers are criticizing the draft of the higher education law that has been released, stating that the newest proposal leads to too much centralization. In their opinion, universities will continue to be constrained by rules and regulations, reports Myanmar Times. A pshysics lecturer at West Yangon University, U Zaw Myo Hlaing stated: “The Department of Higher Education is laying down an intransigent policy. We are working under this strict policy and cannot carry out changes if they are not in line with the policy. This has held back the education sector.”
Vietnamese universities will set their own admission quotas
Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) released new draft circular on admission practices in higher education and it states that it will allow universities to set their own admission quotas. The number of visiting lecturers will be based on the number of admitted students. For instance, if university has 100 academic staff, then number of visiting lecturers will be five at most. The current rule that the maximum size of a university must not exceed 15,000 full-time students will be revoked. Quality asessment will now play a role in determining admission quotas.
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