3 October 2024

In a landmark move aimed at promoting fairness and equality in higher education, California has officially banned legacy admissions at private colleges and universities. Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1780 into law, prohibiting legacy and donor preferences in admissions at private, nonprofit institutions. The law, which will come into effect in the fall of 2025, ensures that some of the country’s most selective schools will no longer favour applicants with familial or monetary connections to the institutions.

This significant change will impact prestigious schools such as Stanford University, the University of Southern California (USC), and Santa Clara University. Governor Newsom emphasised the importance of merit-based admissions in a recent news release, stating, “In California, everyone should be able to get ahead through merit, skill, and hard work. The California Dream shouldn’t be accessible to just a lucky few, which is why we’re opening the door to higher education wide enough for everyone, fairly.”

The bill was authored by Assemblyman Phil Ting, a San Francisco Democrat who has been a vocal advocate for the end of legacy admissions since the 2019 college admissions scandal. The scandal uncovered a widespread cheating scheme involving dozens of people, including Hollywood actors, who manipulated college entrance exams to secure admission for their children.

The new law targets schools with some of the highest rates of legacy admissions. According to Assemblyman Ting, in 2022, legacy admissions accounted for about 14 percent of enrolments at Stanford and USC, and about 13 percent at Santa Clara University. Ting believes that ending legacy admissions will create a more equitable playing field for all applicants.

Private colleges and universities in California are now required to disclose their compliance with the new rule by submitting an annual report. This measure ensures transparency and accountability, reinforcing the state’s commitment to fair admissions practices.

USC officials have responded positively to the new legislation. In a statement to NBC News, the university said it is “always looking to evolve our admissions process and recruitment efforts to bring as many of these students to USC as we can. We will do so in compliance with the law.”

The introduction of AB 1780 marks a pivotal shift in the admissions landscape of California’s private colleges and universities. By eliminating legacy admissions, the state aims to foster a more inclusive and merit-based approach to higher education, ensuring that opportunities are available to all students, regardless of their background or connections.

The post California enacts new law banning legacy admissions at private colleges first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

12 April 2024

Ellucian, a leading provider of technology solutions for higher education, has unveiled its latest innovation, “Ellucian Apply,” a groundbreaking admissions application poised to transform the application and enrollment experience for institutions and students alike.

Developed on the robust Ellucian SaaS Platform, the new application seamlessly integrates with an institution’s Student Information System (SIS), promising to modernise and streamline admissions processes. By automating data collection and validation, Ellucian Apply significantly reduces staff workload while ensuring the accuracy of enrollment information.

One of the key features of Ellucian Apply is its ability to slash application configuration and processing time, thereby enhancing the applicant experience. With a user-friendly interface and intuitive design, the platform simplifies the application process, making it more accessible and efficient for prospective students.

Addressing the growing concern of application fraud in higher education, Ellucian Apply boasts an advanced fraud detection system. This system proactively identifies potentially fraudulent applications, helping institutions safeguard their admissions processes and maintain the integrity of their student body.

Mike Wulff, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Ellucian, emphasised the significance of streamlining the applicant and enrollment experience, particularly in light of challenges such as the “enrollment cliff” and the escalating problem of application fraud. Wulff stated, “Designed with input from students, staff, and the higher education community, Apply serves as a vital tool for institutions striving to boost enrollment while simplifying the experience for applicants and staff.”

Moreover, Ellucian Apply offers language detection and configuration capabilities to support institutions in diversifying their applicant pools. Customisable templates empower administrators and staff to tailor applications to the specific needs of individual students, enhancing personalisation and accessibility.

One institution quick to embrace Ellucian Apply is Holmes Community College in Mississippi. Bethany Miller, Director of Admissions and Records, praised the platform’s ease of use and flexibility, noting, “The ease of editing the application is a game-changer! Unlike our previous system, making changes is a breeze, allowing for swift adjustments. Additionally, students no longer find themselves stuck with error messages, needing to reach out to help… we can spot and address issues immediately, streamlining the process from application to registration.”

As higher education institutions continue to adapt to evolving demands and challenges, Ellucian Apply emerges as a pioneering solution, empowering institutions to enhance efficiency, combat fraud, and provide an exceptional experience for both applicants and staff alike.

The post Ellucian shakes up higher education admissions with launch of Ellucian Apply first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

By simplifying IT management, increasing efficiencies, and replacing legacy technology platforms, colleges and universities are enhancing the student experience and simultaneously reducing cost and redundancies.

Speaker – Johann Zimmern, Global Education Strategy Lead, Zoom

The post Delivering unified communication for the connected campus first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

How can higher education as a whole community work together to develop students that are global citizens? The pandemic has severely impacted student mobility and exchange programmes came to a halt. As universities usher in more tech-enabled and online learning, is there a new strategy towards internationalisation?

Speakers – Cheryl R. Peralta, Vice Rector of Academic Affairs, University of Santo Tomas; Alvin Culaba, Former Executive Vice President for External Relations, Distinguished Full Professor & University Fellow, De La Salle University

The post Internationalisation in the higher education sector first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

The university market is competitive, and it takes a good strategy to stand out. Today’s students are discerning, paying attention to more than just rankings. How can you put prospective students and their parents at the centre of your recruitment process?

Speakers – Raj Kapoor, Director of Student Recruitment, American University in Dubai; Vikram Singh, Director (Admissions & Outreach) Jindal Global Business School; O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU)

The post Improving the admissions experience for students and parents: Why the human factor is key first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

Lived experiences provide deeper insights and give an authentic feel to recruitment efforts. Prospective students are more likely to be influenced by peers close to them in age, they are able to put themselves in the shoes of alumni better.

Speakers – Diana Lyn David, Head of Student Recruitment EMBA, S P Jain School of Global Management; Barbara Er, Head of Marketing and Student Enrolment, Manipal University College Malaysia

The post The role of alumni engagement in your recruitment strategy first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

How can data and analytical software change and add value to enrolment strategies? This panel shares what they are currently employing, the power of informative, visual dashboards and data-driven decision making in their student admissions and recruitment.

Moderator – Dean Outerson, Ambassador & Writer-in-Residence, Sasin School of Management
Panellists – Linette Lim, Director, Admissions and Financial Assistance, Singapore Management University; Winston Wee, Head, Admissions (MSc Programmes), NUS Business School; Gulnura Rakhyshova, Associate Director of Admissions, Asia School of Business in collaboration with MIT Sloan; Jagdish Singh, Director of Student Recruitment and Marketing, University of Nottingham Malaysia

The post Refining your enrolment strategy first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

The complex nature of universities and what they offer makes ranking them remarkably challenging. With so many different parameters, indicators and methods of measurement can be subjective and not all-encompassing. Do we need a rethink on university rankings? And what purpose do they serve in today’s landscape?

Speaker – S S Mantha, Former Chairman AICTE and Chancellor, KL University

The post Taking an innovative approach to university rankings first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

Today’s youth are more intuitive and intentional in their choice of education and institution, on top of being digital natives. Current students may be your best marketing tool yet. Discover how you can provide prospective students with real-life anecdotes by current students and how digital tools play an important role in the recruitment journey.

Speakers – Lee Ann June, Deputy Head, Digital Marketing, Taylor’s University; Sean O’Dea, University Partnerships Manager, Unibuddy

The post Expanding your international reach, without leaving the campus first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

In an increasingly competitive environment and a disruptive landscape, university leaders are facing more challenges than ever. Establishing a global mindset is critical to navigate the difficult path ahead and help sieve out opportunities for their institution to thrive moving forward.

Speakers – Colin Christie, Director of Digital Transformation, Enderun Colleges; Brent Reodica, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Team Aguhon

The post Pushing the frontiers – Developing a global mindset among university leaders first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

The uncertainty and flux of changing environments can be challenging to navigate. Students and staff might not have experienced this level of change and might not have the knowledge on how they can manage their emotions during this difficult time. Carolyn Quiba shares how her school introduced wellness webinars and worked together with other departments, such as the e-learning department, to reinforce the importance of wellbeing and mental health.

Speakers – Alejandro N. Dela Cruz, Human Resources Development Division Director, Philippine College of Criminology; Carolyn Quiba, Director, Guidance and Testing Center, Lyceum of the Philippines University

The post Tips and tricks to promote student and faculty wellbeing in a VLE first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

Extensive partnerships have enabled this local university to expand its entrepreneurship programme even with limited budget and facilities. Hear how these international and national partnerships were formed and how the school continued entrepreneurship classes during distance learning.

Speaker – Darwin Aniar, Chair of Instruction, Palawan State University Narra Campus

The post Collaboration in entrepreneurship education in rural areas – A case of equity in education first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

The pandemic has accelerated digitalisation globally, businesses are adopting new technologies quickly and jobs are going digital fast. Discover how MDEC is driving Malaysia’s digital economy forward, their diverse range of initiatives and industry partnerships.

Speaker – Sumitra Nair, Vice President, Digital Skills and Jobs, Malaysia Digital Economy Cooperation

The post Futureproofing Malaysia’s workforce for the digital economy first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

The world and global economy are evolving at a rapid pace. Skills that students acquire could very well be phased out by the time they graduate. Universities are challenged to keep pace. Beyond tools and technologies, universities are discovering new ways for students to develop skills to think critically, collaborate effectively and solving innovatively.

Moderator – Colin Christie, Director of Digital Transformation, Eduerun Colleges
Panellists – Ricson Singson Que, President and CEO, SQrity Consulting; Glendar Crosling, Head – Centre for Higher Education Research, Sunway University Malaysia; Sherwin O, President, CIIT College of Arts and Technology; Jayson Bergania, Director, Global City Innovative College

The post How do we prepare students for a future learning environment? first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

The occurrence of the recent pandemic has proved that uncertainty can be long-drawn and challenging to navigate. Planning for such situations and different scenarios is essential for universities as institutions with so many different stakeholders and moving parts.

Moderator – Brent Reodica, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Team Aguhon
Panellists – Malini Elitamby, Deputy President (Operations), INCEIF; Sabine Straver, Education Program Manager, University of Wollongong; Pablo Yambot, Managing Director, UNQTY, Government Digital Transformation Advisory Council, Ateneo IT Advisory Council, Lecturer, UNQTY Inc; Edward M Dela Rosa, Chief TESD Specialist, T.E.S.D.A – Curriculum and Training Aids Development

The post Supporting campus through emergency preparedness and development plans first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

Everyone reacts to change differently. This pandemic has been a difficult period of change and challenges. Hear how these universities are supporting their campus community in different ways from integrating wellness into staff professional development to providing collaboration spaces for both local and international students.

Moderator – Amira Firdaus, Deputy Director, Academic Enhancement & Leadership Development Centre (ADeC), University of Malaya
Panellists – Wei Min Hon, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, UOW Malaysia KDU; Alwyn Lau, Head, Center for Post-Graduate Studies, University College Fairview; Azlinzuraini Ahmad, Deputy Dean (Academic & Student Affairs), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu; Nancy Lee, Life Skills Coach, Taylor’s University

The post University-wide approaches for developing social and emotional well-being for both students and faculty first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

Are you keeping pace with the times? Universities need to ride the waves of global transformations to remain relevant and attractive to prospective students. Cynthia Doss shares how and why schools should alter their content and methods to support students in a deeply interdependent world. Hear how global issues can feature in lessons across the board and the importance of online collaborative learning for deeper and global knowledge exchanges.

Speaker – Cynthia Doss, Director, Centre for Education & Language, MAHSA University

The post Globalising the curriculum and facilitating online collaborative learning first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

In today’s competitive and fast-paced world, employers are looking for graduates with ready-built skills and knowledge. As skills change and evolve, it is difficult to equip students with timely hard and soft skills to guarantee them success in the jobs market. However, microcredentials provide learners with knowledge, skills, value and competencies that employers are indeed looking for.

Speaker – Hamid Uddin, Head of Business Programmes, University of Southampton, Malaysia

The post Microcredentials and Lifelong employability first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

Effective teacher professional development is needed to support changes in teacher practices and student learning

Darling-Hammond, Hyle, & Gartner

Teachers are expected to adjust and adapt to the new normal. As they transition into different modes of teaching, it is essential that they are supported in their efforts. Continued professional development during this time is critical. Understand how institutions can also leverage edtech to provide up-to-date PD and hear a real-life case study in “Tech to Teach”.

Speaker – Aime Michelle Lazaro, Training Head, STI Education Services Group Inc.

The post Using online training to facilitate PD and capacity building among educators post-COVID first appeared on EDUtech_talks.

Vietnam’s economy and start-up ecosystem is booming and growing at a fast pace, yet major challenges lie ahead. Fulbright’s Venture Fellows programme seeks to produce graduates with innovative and entrepreneurial leadership skills to take on these challenges and uplift the Vietnamese economy in a sustainable manner.

Speaker – Chien Teng Chia, Strategic Projects Officer, Fulbright University Vietnam

The post How to nurture entrepreneurial leadership among students first appeared on EDUtech_talks.