In The News

English or Hinglish - Does It Matter What Indian Students Are Learning?

Anjoo Mohun January 29, 2010
In India's bustling cities, language-mixing between English and India's other dozens of languages has led to the emergence of a culture that uses “Hinglish” – or Hindi mixed with English – in everything from casual conversation to Bollywood films. While “proper” English remains the language of job possibilities, Hinglish reveals how languages adapt to the societies where they spread,...

China Helps the Powerful in Namibia

Sharon LaFraniere November 30, 2009
The daughter of Namibia’s president, Hifikepunye Pohamba is studying at the Beijing Culture and Language University under a scholarship provided by the Chinese government. Several other scholarships have also been awarded this year, and only to the children of top Namibian officials. With national elections drawing near Namibia’s anticorruption commission has begun an inquiry into how the...

A New Mosque in Nicaragua Fires Up the Rumor Mill

Steve Stecklow November 16, 2009
A new mosque in Managua is sparking suspicions in the Nicaraguan capital, as citizens come to terms with the religion of the small Muslim community there. A variety of rumors are circulating about the mosque – that it was built by Iran, that all Muslims there are Taliban, and that all Muslims are actually Turks. None of these claims are true, assert leaders of the small Islamic community in...

Seeking Soft-Power, But Not By the Book

Jonathan Fenby October 26, 2009
China’s participation as the guest of honor at the recent Frankfurt Book Fair was filled with plenty of histrionics: walk-outs, gag orders, and a firing. There were, however, over 2000 copyright deals inked with various Chinese publishers. But beyond the sensational, the event shows China’s uneasy practice of soft power, according to author Jonathan Fenby. Beijing is striving to present itself to...

Globalization Putting A Premium On Overseas Studies

Joseph Yeh October 5, 2009
Most modern nations emphasize education as an engine of progress, and Taiwan is no exception – in fact, it is famous for the rigor of its system. Recently, however, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has encouraged students to leave their native classrooms for foreign schools. The Taiwanese government is expanding scholarship programs that support not just term-time study abroad, but internships and...

Asian Universities Court Students Nearby

Liz Gooch September 24, 2009
In an effort to attract promising students, Asian universities are offering an education in English at a fraction of the cost of Western institutions. Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong are all trying to attract international students with various points of interest: participation with Western universities, joint degree programs, and competitive prices. While many institutions are competing more...

Between China and India: Is Tibet the Wedge or Link?

George Yeo September 8, 2009
Ever since the March 14 riots in Tibet, the Autonomous Region has enjoyed increased global scrutiny, though access for foreign observers has been limited. Recently, Singapore’s George Yeo became the first foreign minister to visit Tibet since the riots. A long-time student of Asian history, Minister Yeo explores Tibet’s role in the relations between Asia’s two rising giants China and India in its...