The American Dream has always attracted students from developing nations and Chinese students have always dominated the international student population in US universities. 

However, recent statistics indicate a significant shift in this trend. According to the US State Department and the Institute of International Education, Indian students have surpassed Chinese students as the largest group of international students in American higher education – for the first time since 2009.

India made up 29% of international students, but China was still a major source, constituting about one-fourth of international students.

It is worthwhile to note that 40% of Indians are under 25 which is promising for the country’s economy as compared to China, where the population has just begun to age.

According to a report by CNN, experts attribute this decline to significant shifts in both policy and public perception. Many Chinese students and families are concerned about safety, racism, and discrimination in the US. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated these concerns, with a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and racism.

The downward spiral in US-China relations has also contributed to the decline. The Trump administration’s policies, including the cancellation of the Fulbright exchange program with China and the introduction of a ban on graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students from several Chinese universities, have made it difficult for Chinese students to secure visas.

The decline in Chinese students in the US doesn’t necessarily mean there’s less appetite for an overseas education. Instead, students and parents are exploring alternative options. Countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia have introduced more immigration-friendly policies, making them attractive alternatives to the US.

India’s growing population and increasing demand for higher education have contributed to the surge in Indian students in the US. With over 331,600 Indian students in the US last academic year, India has become the largest source of international students in American higher education.

The allure of an American education may be wearing off for some Chinese students. With improving educational quality in China and growing concerns about safety and racism in the US, some students are opting to stay in China or explore alternative destinations.
 

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Monday approved 16 species of insects including various species of crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, locusts and silkworms for human consumption. The announcement has delighted industry players who have been gearing up for this long-awaited moment.

”With immediate effect, SFA will allow the import of insects and insect products belonging to species that have been assessed to be of low regulatory concern. These insects and insect products can be used for human consumption or as animal feed for food-producing animals,” the agency said in a circular addressed to processed food and animal feed traders. 

According to the Straits Times, suppliers and caterers in Singapore have been gearing up to source insects from regulated farms in China, Thailand, and Vietnam.

SFA guidelines mandate that imported or locally farmed insects must adhere to strict food safety controls, ensuring they are not harvested from the wild. Insects that are not on SFA’s list of 16 will have to undergo an evaluation to ensure that the species are safe to consume, the agency said.

Further, companies selling pre-packaged food containing insects will also be required to label their packaging as such. Those that are found to be non-compliant with its food safety regulations will not be allowed for sale.

Restaurants gearing up

Meanwhile, several restaurants and cafes are gearing up to prepare new dishes made of insects that they hope will increase their sales and attract customers. House of Seafood restaurant’s chief executive Francis Ng said he is cooking up a menu of 30 insect-infused dishes. The insects will be added to some of its seafood dishes, such as salted egg crab, for example.

Mr Ng said that his restaurant had been getting five to six calls daily inquiring about its insect-based dishes, and when customers can start ordering them.

“Many of our customers, especially young people who are under 30 years old, are very daring. They want to be able to see the whole insect in the dish. So I’m giving them many options to choose from,” he said.

He anticipates that sales from insect-based dishes will increase his revenue by around 30 per cent.

According to Channel News Asia, crickets, grasshoppers and mealworms, are rich in protein. These insects also contain plenty of antioxidants and minerals including iron, zinc, copper and magnesium.  

A Chinese college’s drastic move to remove power sockets to stop students’ late-night mobile gaming has sparked outrage among student, according to a report in South China Morning Post (SCMP). The Anhui Suzhou Institute of Technology in eastern China’s Anhui province removed all the power sockets from its five-story dormitory block last week. The students came out in protest and a video of the same went viral on Chinese social media platforms.

Students expressed their anger by shouting, tossing paper and clothes on the floor, and even set some materials on fire, the SCMP report further said. It is not clear if the college informed the students before implementing the move, but an anonymous staff member quoted by Guizhou TV stood firmly behind the socket removal.

“Power sockets in the dormitories must be cut off otherwise the students are on their phones the whole night,” the staff member said. When questioned about students’ inability to charge their phones, the staff member remained steadfast, announcing a more stringent policy: “From next Monday, all students are not allowed to bring phones to the campus. Anyone who disagrees with this policy can choose to leave the school.”

A letter from an angry student criticising the institute’s action gained significant attention online. The student acknowledged that the removal of power sockets might be justifiable if it was connected to incidents like someone secretly cooking in their room. However, there was bewilderment at the decision to remove all power sockets, with the letter emphasising that the disruption it would cause to students’ lives, affecting tasks such as receiving homework notifications and recharging meal cards. The letter also suggested that the institute’s staff should set an example by removing power sockets from faculty offices.

The story sparked a widespread discussion on social media with many backing the stance of the college.

One social media user said: “The institute is acting responsibly for the students’ wellbeing.”

Another commented: “The school deserves our support because it is resisting pressure to protect the students.”