The Ministry of Education is considering banning foreign companies or individuals offering help to students who wish to study in overseas universities. The proposal is part of the regulation mooted by the ministry at the end of October to strengthen supervision by domestic operators. The government is keen to curtail fraud among international recruitment agents, some of whom are accused of falsifying student information on applications, Global Times reported. “Some foreign chambers of commerce or cultural exchange associations…cheat their customers,” said Zhang Weiyong, an overseas study consultant with the National Development and Reform Commission Training Center. Mr Zhang added: “Generally, the agencies offer two kinds of service: providing information on foreign universities and handling the student’s application process.” He said the first service should be free, while those offering the second should be licensed.
Source: Times Higher Education http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=421794&c=1