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 Sudanese government's plan to close all of the universities in the country, Indonesia's consideration to allow entry of foreign universities and South African government's desire to regulate university fees.
Sudan closes all of its universities
Al-Fanar Media reports that protests against Sudanese government has led to the government closing all of the country’s universities. After the outbreak of demonstrations, 100 private higher education institutions and 38 public universities were closed by Sudan’s Minister of Higher Education, Al-Sadiq al-Mahdi. Director of Sinnar University, Mohammed al-Khair Abdul Rahman, supported this decision stating that ”this was done to alleviate the suffering of students in the current circumstances.” However, Mohamed Yousif, a professor at Khartoum University’s Faculty of Economics, does not agree with the statement. He believes that the reason for this measure was the fact that government fears a revolution. Yousif also added: “It will be difficult to suppress student protests by university guards, and it will be difficult for university guards to control or prevent incidents of violence because of their weak equipment.”
Indonesia considers to allow entry of foreign universities
The Jakarta Post reports that Indonesian government was considering to allow foreign hospitals and universities to operate in the country. Investment Coordination Board (BKPM) head Thomas Lembang said that by allowing foreign universities to enter the country, the number of students who opt to study in other countries could be reduced. Malaysia and Vietnam have already allowed foreign university campuses to operate for a number of years. Universities that are the most interested in opening campuses in Indonesia are those from Australia. Thomas added: ”This is expected to be implemented after the election [in April].”
South African government wants to regulate university fees
The department of higher education and training wants to regulate tuition fees at South African universities, reports City Press. This happens in the wake of national student protests regarding, the clearance of historic debt, university registration fees, accommodation and other issue. Higher Education Minister Naledi Pandor pledged to change the institutional autonomy decree since costs became unaffordable. She also added: ”Now that this has begun to improve, and government has undertaken that within five years it will be providing 1% of gross domestic product to the higher education sector – and, in particular, to universities – universities have room to relook at the tuition fees they charge.”
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