Daily Higher Education News: 4 January 2013

Following government proposals to change the way student visas are granted in Canada, some types of institution are concerned that they will not be included on the list of ‘approved schools’ – and will therefore not be able to take on any international students. Concerns have been voiced by the National Association of Career Colleges, which represents about 400 private colleges offering professional training programs usually lasting less than a year, reports Global News.

Domestic applications to UK universities have fallen for the second year running, according to interim figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). While the deadline for applications hasn’t yet been reached, UCAS says that as of 17 December, applications were down by more than 6% compared to the previous year. Applications peaked in 2011, and have subsequently fallen, following the government’s decision to increase the amount universities can charge, reports the BBC.

Eight of Japan’s public universities reportedly received ¥1.74 billion (US$19.7 million) in donations from the power industry, across the five years up to 2011. Most donations were made to individual researchers, including some who are involved in setting national regulations for nuclear security, reports The Japan Times.

A member of the governing assembly in the US state of California has proposed legislation that would allow students to complete a bachelor’s degree for US$10,000 (relatively inexpensive by national standards). Students would need to start earning credits towards their degree while still in high school, and contributions towards the cost of courses would be made by education providers, as well as the state itself. Similar proposals have already been made in Florida and Texas, reports The Chronicle.