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Alumni | CIMO International Alumni Newsletter 2 / 2010This newsletter is produced three times a year by the Higher Education department of the Centre of International Mobility (CIMO) with the aim of keeping the international alumni of Finnish universities updated on Finnish higher education topics. More foreign students than ever in Finnish higher education institutions Yue Shen wins competition on This Is My Finland Erasmus Mundus scholarships in 2010/2011 More foreign students than ever in Finnish higher education institutions The number of foreign students in Finnish higher education institutions is increasing steadily. In 2009, there were over 14,000 foreign degree students in Finland: 7,113 in the universities of applied sciences (=UAS) and 6,984 in the universities. The universities of applied sciences have been especially active in recruiting international degree students, for 5.2 per cent of all UAS students come from abroad. The corresponding number in the university sector is 4.1 per cent. Year 2009 Year 2000 China 2105 1011 Russia 1595 800 Nigeria 731 108 Estonia 700 469 Nepal 615 10 Sweden 530 553 Germany 478 248 Ethiopia 467 54 Pakistan 420 66 Ghana 395 105 Vietnam 395 32 India 392 47 Bangladesh 363 121 Kenya 354 82 United States 244 191 The most common countries of origin of foreign degree students in 2009 and 2000 The biggest student flows to Finland come from China and Russia. However, the biggest growth rate during the 2000s has been in the numbers of students from Nepal, Vietnam, Ethiopia and India. The most popular fields of education for foreign degree students are engineering/technology and business. Also popular in the university sector are natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities. International mobility makes a difference Student exchanges and international traineeships have become more and more popular. In 2009, almost 9,400 Finnish students headed abroad on an exchange or traineeship for at least 3 months. At the same time, almost 8,800 international exchange students or trainees came to Finland. Almost half (48%) of all outgoing exchanges and traineeships take place through the European Union’s Erasmus programme. The corresponding figure is 74% in incoming mobility. The biggest host countries for outgoing Finnish students are Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and Sweden, while the biggest countries of origin of incoming students are Germany, France, Spain and Italy. Asian countries are becoming increasingly important partners of student exchanges and internships. China, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan are already big target countries for Finnish students, and China and South Korea are major countries of origin for incoming students. Yue Shen wins competition on This Is My Finland The winner has been announced in the “This Is My Finland” competition, which was launched among the Chinese alumni who attended the CIMO alumni meeting in Shanghai at the beginning of June 2010. Impressed by the quality of the entries, the jury awarded first price to Yue Shen for his warm, funny and inventive photographs and essay which showed the depth and breadth of his Finnish experience. Yue Shen’s photographs represent a Finland which goes beyond snow and Santa Claus yet cherishes the very Finnish concept of nature and outdoor activities. “The picture of a squirrel always reminds me of the friendly relationship between mankind and nature in Finland, otherwise this squirrel wouldn’t have been this close to me for the picture.” Pictures of light and stories of charm Two second prizes go to Huang Ming and Wen Liping. Huang Ming was rewarded for her insightful pictures and engaging essay. We also want to acknowledge Wen Liping for capturing Finnish life in such delightful ways. Winners of the first and the shared second prizes have been notified. There were 16 entries to this competition. We thank you all for sharing your memories of Finland with us. Erasmus Mundus scholarships in 2010/2011 The Erasmus Mundus programme promotes Europe as a centre of excellence in learning. Scholarships are available for students, researchers and academic staff from every part of the world – also for those who have already entered working life. Generous scholarships are available for Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree courses which partly take place in Finland. Besides full Master’s courses and Doctoral programmes, individuals from designated non-EU countries may apply for mobility scholarships to do a study exchange in Finnish universities. More information is available on: http://www.studyinfinland.fi/study_options/degree_programmes/erasmus_mundus |