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School's Out for World Cup Fever

Argentine flags fly in Bangladesh during World Cup 2014.
Argentine flags fly in Bangladesh during World Cup 2014.

Universities around the globe have swapped out books and exams for noise makers and soccer jerseys, as 2018 FIFA World Cup fever rages.

International universities have converted buildings and classrooms into places where students and locals can gather to support their national team at campus watch parties. This year's tournament in Russia — which began June 14 and ends July 15 — costs $15 billion and is expected to attract more than 3.2 billion viewers worldwide, according to GlobalWebIndex research.

FILE - Nigerian supporters react as they watch the Russia 2018 World Cup football match between Nigeria and Argentina, in Lagos, June 26, 2018.
FILE - Nigerian supporters react as they watch the Russia 2018 World Cup football match between Nigeria and Argentina, in Lagos, June 26, 2018.

In Nigeria, universities have become a hotbed for World Cup revelry. At Bingham University near the capital of Abuja, hundreds gathered to watch the Nigerian Super Eagles defeat Iceland 2-0. Together, students and locals cheered and sang the country's national anthem following the win.

Meanwhile, at the University of Lagos, the College of Medicine hosted viewing and celebrations after Nigeria's win.

At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, students and locals celebrated Nigeria's win throughout campus, serenading each other from hostel balconies.

"Actually, it is never fun watching soccer alone at home," said 22-year-old Nigerian Sinclair Lyon Jr. "Nigeria is a place with over 300 tribes and we speak over 520 languages. [Soccer] brings unity and oneness amongst us despite our ethnic and tribal differences. With soccer, we speak one language and that is supporting the super Eagles of Nigeria to victory."

At the University of Benin in Nigeria, students flooded the streets in jubilation following Nigeria's win. Four days later, Nigeria was eliminated in a 2-1 loss to Argentina, but if Twitter activity is any indication, students in Nigeria remained infected with World Cup fever.

Break in Uruguay

At Catholic University of Uruguay, university officials announced that "all classes and activities" would be suspended until after tournament's conclusion in mid-July. The university in Montevideo is home to over 10,000 students.

"One of the main missions of the university student is to be attentive to the reality that surrounds us, from a critical, academic spirit, but also immersed in it, vibrating and participating with society as a whole," wrote Vice-Chancellor Álvaro Pacheco to the student body when announcing the break.

"It is evident that sports in general, and especially soccer, is an element that defines us as Uruguayans, and that has the virtue of creating a common sense of unity that is rare in our days."

The Uruguayan national team has advanced into the quarterfinals.

Foul flags

Although the national soccer team for Bangladesh has never qualified for the tournament — they rank 194th in world rankings — World Cup mania rages there. Bangladeshis have thrown their support behind Argentina or Brazil, the top South American teams.

Argentine flags in Bangladesh during World Cup 2014.
Argentine flags in Bangladesh during World Cup 2014.

Flags, rallies and parades fill the streets of Bangladesh with the team colors of Argentina and Brazil. But the passion has sometimes turned violent, such as earlier this month, when Argentina and Brazil supporters attacked each other with machetes in the town of Bandar, leaving two critically wounded.

The University of Barisal warned students in May against hoisting foreign flags, citing a national law that "the flag of a Foreign State shall not be flown on any car or building in Bangladesh without the specific permission of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh."

"As the university is a government organization, we cannot allow such unauthorized activities," university vice chancellor SM Imamul Haque said in an interview with New Age.

During the lead-up to the 2014 World Cup, government officials in the Jessore district appealed to fans to remove Argentinean and Brazilian flags flying from their rooftops. Despite these disagreements, World Cup flags are still flying.

FILE - People watch on a huge screen the 2018 soccer World Cup match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at a fan zone in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 14, 2018.
FILE - People watch on a huge screen the 2018 soccer World Cup match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at a fan zone in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 14, 2018.

And while many students love soccer, not everyone embraces the party that comes along with the World Cup. Near the University of Moscow, World Cup organizers erected a viewing screen near the university dorms. Although 4,600 students signed a petition to have the screen and noise moved, the Fan Zone remains active.

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‘Study away’ programs in the US can provide enrichment opportunities 

FILE - Students walk on the campus of Boston College, April 29, 2024, in Boston.
FILE - Students walk on the campus of Boston College, April 29, 2024, in Boston.

While studying abroad can expose students to new cultures and experiences, researchers are finding that domestic ‘study away’ programs can be helpful as well.

Some students, including those on an international visa, may not be able to study abroad, but they can travel to other locations in the U.S. for enrichment experiences, Ashley Mowreader writes in Inside Higher Ed. (October 2024)

Fewer students disclose race in applications to top colleges 

FILE - An unidentified person walks past Harvard yard at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, December 7, 2023
FILE - An unidentified person walks past Harvard yard at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, December 7, 2023

FAfter the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in college admissions last year, fewer students are disclosing their race or ethnicity in applications to top colleges.

Writing in USA Today, Zachary Schermele notes that the data is preliminary, but it could signal a change in the way students are approaching college applications. (October 2024)

Overall college enrollment is up, first-year enrollment down 

FILE - A student delivers packages to the dormitory at DePaul University in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.
FILE - A student delivers packages to the dormitory at DePaul University in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.

For the second year since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, college enrollment has climbed in the United States.

But the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center noticed a substantial drop in the number of freshmen, which could be troubling for future enrollment, according to a report in Forbes. (October 2024)

South African universities embrace AI, seeing it as equalizing tool

South African universities embrace AI, seeing it as equalizing tool
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The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT has sparked debate in higher education, raising questions about ethics and integrity in teaching, learning and knowledge creation. In South Africa, some academic institutions are taking a proactive approach, integrating AI into their curricula. Experts say this step is not only innovative but also helps level the playing field among students. Zaheer Cassim reports from Johannesburg.

International students may be able to get jobs at school 

FILE - Northeastern University graduate student Shabbir Hussain, of Indore, India, left, views a computer screen at the entrance to the Snell Library on the Northeastern University campus in Boston on May 24, 2016.
FILE - Northeastern University graduate student Shabbir Hussain, of Indore, India, left, views a computer screen at the entrance to the Snell Library on the Northeastern University campus in Boston on May 24, 2016.

International students studying in the United States may be able to work on campus.

Jobs can include working in libraries, labs, food service and dormitories – but students will have to research the rules before applying for jobs, according to U.S. News & World Report. (September 2024)

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