May/June 1999 Volume 12, Issue 3 CONTENTS REGIONAL NEWS Africa (cover page) The Americas Asia-Pacific E. Europe & NIS Middle East W. Europe PRACTICAL INFORMATION New Structure of Russian Higher Education RESEARCH Asian Students Have More Opportunities at Home eWENR & WES INFO eWENR Index: Contains links to all eWENR issues that are currently available for viewing. Masthead: Learn more about eWENR and its editorial staff. Subscriptions: Don't miss future issues of eWENR. World Education Services: Learn more about the organization that brings you eWENR. Comments: eWENR's editor welcomes your comments. If you have story ideas, suggestions or feedback regarding eWENR, e-mail us with the details. WENR Archives: You can read WENR back issues from Summer 1995 through Fall 1996. WENR Article Index Through 1996: Features an index of all WENR articles through Fall 1996.

REGIONAL NEWS  E. Europe & NIS  LATVIA The Ministry of Education and Science recently launched a “strategic program of educational advancement,” called Education 1998-2003. During the past two years, reformers have stressed the need to emulate western European models of higher education and to upgrade the country's educational system to better prepare students for the job market. In particular, Education 1998-2003 will focus on: improving the overall quality of education; utilizing resources more effectively; expanding access to education; and institutional development. In other news, the Latvian Education Computerized System Project was launched in 1997. The main objective of the project, which is being carried out by the University of Latvia, is to computerize many of the country's educational institutions while developing an information network and operating system. It is being implemented in three stages (1997-1999): Stage one, launched in 1997, facilitated the organization of computer-skills training programs for teachers in three secondary schools and the computerization of school subjects. Stage two, which began in 1998, established 38 regional centers for teacher training and also promoted the computerization of subjects at the national level. Stage three, to be implemented this year, will endeavor to provide all secondary schools with computers connected to a single network and to the Internet. — Le Magazine 1998, Issue 9 RUSSIA In December 1998, the University of the Russian Academy of Education, formally known as the Russian Open University, received full accreditation status from the government. The university, located in Moscow, has been given the right to award degrees recognized by the Ministry of General and Professional Education of the Russian Federation. Its accreditation status is valid until Oct. 22, 2003. — Correspondence from the Ministry of General and Professional Education of the Russian Federation  RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS