PRIVACY AND COOKIE POLICY

Privacy and Cookie Policy

About us

Read about Global Scholars Blog by clicking here (GSB)

Types of personal data we process

General

We reserve the right to gather and handle, either independently or on behalf of one or multiple educational institutions, the subsequent categories of personal information.

Name, email address and other identifying information

As an illustration, we might collect information such as your name, email address, gender, date of birth, nationality, country of residence, education history, achievements, or language test scores. Should you choose to utilize our Best Fit tool, we may additionally gather details about your work experience and funding situation.

Your contact details and personal account/registration details

Your contact information may encompass your physical address, phone number, and email address. Upon establishing a personal account or enrolling in a service, we may additionally capture your login credentials and any other details you furnish during the creation of your personal account or completion of a registration form.

Our communication with you

When you reach out to us through email, online chat, or social media, we retain a record of our communication with you.

Information we collect when you use our Website

Upon visiting our website or availing of our services, we may record details such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, and the referring website, all related to your web-browsing behavior. Additionally, an automatic notification may be triggered when you open a newsletter or access a link within it.

Information in relation to social media

Based on your social network configuration, we might obtain data from your social network provider. For instance, if you use a social network account to log in to our services, we may collect publicly accessible information that you grant us access to from your social network profile. This may include your contact details, interests, and social network connections. For further details regarding the personal data received from your social network provider and instructions on adjusting your privacy settings, please consult the website and privacy policy provided by your social network provider.

Information you choose to share with us

You also have the option to provide information to us. For instance, if you leave a comment on our Facebook page, complete a survey, submit a contact or application form, write a review, or enter a contest or scholarship, you are choosing to share personal information with us.

Cookies and similar technologies

Upon your initial visit to our website, a cookie notice will be displayed. Global Scholars Blog utilizes the information gathered through cookies exclusively for the purposes outlined in the Cookie Statement, which is available below.

How we collect your data

Global Scholars Blog and GSB Quest gather personal information through various methods. This information is acquired when you visit our website, register on our platform, engage with us on social media, or subscribe to our newsletter.

Additionally, we may receive personal information from affiliated educational institutions, subsidiaries, partners, or other service providers.

We obtain certain information by accessing publicly available data, such as your Facebook or LinkedIn public profile.

Purposes of processing your data

We utilize personal information for the following objectives:

Providing services to you

GSB Quest processes personal data to provide our services. For example, personal data is processed so, for example:

Depending on the country or field of study you select, we can provide you with program recommendations that align best with your profile.
In order to enhance your user experience and effectiveness, we may analyze your usage of our services and merge this information with data gathered from your personal account, registration details, cookies, and similar technologies. This amalgamation allows us, for instance, to optimize our search algorithms, evaluate your chances of admission, or match you with specific educational opportunities.
You have the option to reach out to educational institutions through our website using an electronic form. By submitting an inquiry, you also establish your own user account, granting you access to review the inquiries you have submitted.

To achieve these objectives, Global Scholars Blog manages the following personal information: name, digital contact details, demographic details, shortlisted programs, disciplines and countries of interest, funding status, preferred start period, and previous educational and work experience.

Global Scholars Blog is authorized to handle personal data for these purposes, driven by its legitimate interests or those of educational institutions. The legitimate interest is aimed at enabling GSB Quest to offer the most effective service possible, ensuring alignment with your preferred educational institutions.

To communicate with you

Global Scholars Blog manages contact details to engage with you, address your inquiries, or handle your concerns. This applies to both students and (potential) clients/customers/partners.

For these purposes, Global Scholars Blog processes the following personal data: communication history, name, digital contact details, and messages. Additionally, for (potential) clients, the following data is handled: phone number, employer, and country.

Global Scholars Blog is authorized to process personal data for these purposes to pursue its own legitimate interests or those of the educational institutions. The legitimate interest is for Global Scholars Blog to effectively communicate with you, providing the best service by connecting you with educational institutions, scholarship providers, test providers, and other service providers of your choice. Specifically, the legitimate interest services ensure that Global Scholars Blog, an educational institution, or other relevant service provider can respond promptly and effectively to any questions or complaints you might have.

For processing student applications for specific universities

GSB Quest handles personal information to facilitate students’ applications to specific universities through Global Scholars Blog, rather than the university website. When processing your personal data for this purpose, GSB Quest acts solely as a processor, managing your information on behalf of the respective educational institution.

For this objective, GSB Quest processes the following personal data on behalf of the educational institution: name, digital contact details, analog contact details, passport information, educational transcripts, CV, various credentials (e.g., English language proficiency), demographic information, shortlisted programs, disciplines and countries of interest, funding situation, preferred start period, and previous education information, work experience.

GSB Quest is authorized to process personal data for this purpose based on the necessity to pursue the legitimate interests of the educational institutions. The legitimate interest lies in GSB Quest’s ability to communicate with you effectively and provide the best service to align you with the educational institutions of your choice.

Allowing you to provide reviews

Global Scholars Blog collects and processes personal information when you submit a review about a specific educational institution or program.

For these purposes, Global Scholars Blog processes the following personal data (whether or not through a rating): program details, educational institution information, personal experiences, and overall impressions regarding the educational institute and its location. Your overall rating of the institution, along with any additional comments you provide, will be displayed on our portals.

Please note that any written reviews may undergo verification by Global Scholars Blog before being published, either automatically or manually. This precaution is taken to ensure that only high-quality reviews are made public. Reviews are only removed in the following situations:

In the event that Global Scholars Blog or another organization or institution can substantiate that a respondent did not attend the reviewed institution or program.
When the review incorporates offensive language, profanity, discriminatory remarks, threats, or personal expressions of political, sexual, religious, and ethical views.
When the review endorses illegal or commercial activities.
In case the review is authored by a reviewer 5 or more years after their attendance at the institution.
When reviews do not reflect the personal experience or opinion of the respondent.
If reviews consistently address fellow reviewers on a personal level.
If reviews are presented in a persistently disruptive manner.
If it includes contact details such as phone numbers, addresses, or links to other websites.
If reviewers falsely assume the identity of another person or organization.
If there is suspicion that a review is not genuine, for instance, it might be used to target a competitor.
If a review contains content that infringes upon the rights of another person or organization, including intellectual property rights and privacy rights.
Reviews submitted under the threat of extortion.
If a review lacks detailed information about the university or program.

If you encounter a review that contains any of the mentioned elements, inform Global Scholars Blog:

Global Scholars Blog is granted the authority to process personal data for these purposes, as it is essential for the pursuit of its legitimate interest or that of the educational institutions. These legitimate interests arise from the recognition that student reviews have proven to be exceptionally valuable in aligning potential students with the most suitable educational institution or program, a fundamental aspect of Global Scholars Blog’s services.

For statistical research

Global Scholars Blog processes personal information for the enhancement and optimization of its services. We utilize automated tools to conduct statistical research on general trends, examining how our users interact with our services and the preferences they express. This statistical research aids in the development of improved services and offerings, enabling us to enhance the design and content of our website. Additionally, we can provide valuable insights to higher education institutions on how they can better cater to your needs.

For these purposes, Global Scholars Blog processes the following personal data: name, digital contact details, demographic information, shortlisted programs, disciplines and countries of interest, funding situation, preferred start period, previous education information, work experience, IP address, cookies and comparable services, browser data, device specifications, referring website, browsing behavior, and website interactions, as well as social media likes. Aggregated data may also be combined with information obtained from our subsidiaries, educational institutions, or public sources.

Global Scholars Blog is authorized to process personal data for these purposes as we have a legitimate interest in developing and optimizing our services. If you have concerns about this processing based on your specific situation, you have the right to object.

For direct marketing purposes

Global Scholars Blog processes personal information for (direct) marketing purposes. This involves using your personal details to send newsletters, promotions, or other marketing communications. Our analytical findings are employed to personalize marketing communications according to your specific interests and preferences. For example, if our analysis indicates an interest in certain program types or a specific country, we tailor our newsletter and website content accordingly. Marketing communications may be delivered through various channels such as email, social media, and your personal online account.

For this purpose, Global Scholars Blog processes the following personal data: name, digital contact details, demographic information, shortlisted programs, disciplines and countries of interest, funding situation, preferred start period, previous education information, work experience, IP address, cookies and comparable services, browser, device specifications, referring website, browsing behavior, and website interactions, as well as social media likes.

Aggregated data may also be combined with information from our subsidiaries, educational institutions, or public sources.

Global Scholars Blog is authorized to process personal data for this purpose either because you provided consent or because it aligns with Global Scholars Blog’s legitimate interest. Withdrawal of consent or objection to the processing of personal data for direct marketing purposes, based on Global Scholars Blog or the educational institutions’ legitimate interest, is possible at any time. The withdrawal or objection does not affect the lawfulness of processing prior to the withdrawal or objection.

You have the right to object or revoke your consent for receiving marketing communications at any time by following the instructions in the relevant marketing communication or by sending an email to GSB.

To initiate and evaluate business relationships

Your personal information will be processed for the purpose of entering into agreements and fulfilling them, including the provision of commercial services and the management of business relations that arise from such agreements. This includes carrying out activities aimed at expanding our client database.

Disclosing or sharing data with third parties

General

We retain the right to disclose personal information without your consent or prior consultation when we find it necessary to comply with our legal obligations, enforce our terms and conditions, safeguard the security of the Global Scholars Blog, or prevent fraudulent activities.

Other institutions or businesses

You can reach out to educational institutions through our website by utilizing an electronic form. The information provided in your inquiry will then be forwarded to the institution you wish to contact.

We may share personally identifiable information, such as your name, nationality, and email address, with carefully selected education institutions to verify the status of your application or enrollment. This sharing of information helps evaluate and manage the performance of our business agreements or initiate new agreements. Some of these institutions may also have access to your information for consideration in future marketing campaigns or recruitment measures. We make it clear to the education institutions that they are only permitted to use your personal information for the specified purposes mentioned above. However, users should be aware that the way these educational institutions use the shared data is not governed by our privacy policy. Therefore, we cannot be held accountable for the utilization of the data once it is in their possession. Educational institutions have their own policy practices, for which Global Scholars Blog bears no responsibility or liability. For more details on how such institutions handle your information, please refer to the relevant privacy policy of that institution.

Third party websites

Our website includes links to third-party websites. Clicking on these links will redirect you away from our site. This policy is not applicable to third-party websites, and Global Scholars Blog cannot be held liable for how these external sites handle your personal data. It is your responsibility to use these websites at your own risk. To understand how these third parties handle your personal information, please refer to their respective privacy policies (if available).

Other countries

Global Scholars Blog may disclose your personal data to countries outside of your country of residence. This may happen while sharing information with educational institutions or our subsidiaries, with whom we have explicit agreements defining how they can or cannot use the data. Typically, these agreements will be in the form of a written and signed Data Processing Agreement. It’s important to note that some of these countries may not provide an adequate level of personal data protection compared to the standards in your own country. Global Scholars Blog does not routinely store your information outside the European Economic Area (‘EEA’), and we do not transfer your data outside of the EEA without either your consent or after ensuring adequate safeguards that enable the secure transfer of your personal information.

Should you contact, apply to, or enroll at an educational institution through Global Scholars Blog, which is situated outside the European Economic Area, your data will inevitably be transferred to that country.

Security and retention

Global Scholars Blog places the highest priority on ensuring the security of your information. We employ suitable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data from loss or unauthorized use. These measures include secure facilities, device encryption, version tracking, restricted access to our databases limited to essential personnel and specific IP addresses, and thorough logging of database use. Moreover, personally identifiable information and account activity are safeguarded through the use of usernames and passwords. It is essential to maintain the confidentiality of your username and password to uphold the security of your information.

Your personal data will be retained for the duration necessary for the purposes outlined in this Policy or as required to fulfill our contractual or statutory obligations and resolve any disputes. Typically, your personal data will be kept for forty-eight (48) months after your last activity or until you request deletion. This retention period enables Global Scholars Blog to optimize its services to you throughout your educational journey, which research indicates generally spans a period of more than thirty-six (36) months.

Your Rights

You have the right to request access to or a copy of the personal data collected by Global Scholars Blog. Additionally, you may request the correction and deletion of personal data or restrict the processing of your personal data if there is a valid reason. The right to data portability is also applicable. Furthermore, you have the right to object to processing based on your specific situation or against the processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes.

To exercise your right(s), please send your written request, to: GSB

To verify the legitimacy of the request being submitted on your behalf, there may be instances where Global Scholars Blog needs to acquire additional proof of identity, either through an in-person verification process or via webcam. This precautionary measure is only implemented when there are uncertainties about the identity of the individual making the request.

Modifications to this Policy

This Policy is effective as of 12 December 2023 and supersedes our prior privacy policy. We retain the right to modify or make adjustments to this Policy. Notification of any changes will be provided by posting the revised policy on our Website and informing you through a banner or, in the case of significant alterations to the Policy, via email. Changes become effective immediately upon the posting of the updated Policy.

Questions or Complaints

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the processing of your personal data, please send an email to us at GSB. We will be delighted to assist you.

Cookie Statement Global Scholars Blog

Last updated 12 December 2023.

About Cookies

Websites employ various techniques to enhance user-friendliness and maximize the appeal for each visitor. Among the most widely recognized methods are cookies and scripts (hereafter referred to as ‘cookies’). These cookies may be utilized by the website owners or third parties, such as advertisers, who interact with the website you are visiting.

It is crucial to emphasize that the use of cookies is secure. Cookies do not allow for the tracing of personal information, such as phone numbers or email addresses. Consequently, cookies cannot be employed for email and telemarketing activities.

In our commitment to ensuring your privacy and enhancing user-friendliness, we find it essential that you are informed about the specific purposes for which cookies are utilized. The following provides more details regarding the objectives of using cookies on our website.

For which purposes do we use cookies?

We use cookies for the following reasons:

To ensure the proper functioning of the website
To analyze and track the usage of the website
To showcase advertisements on our website and other platforms
To assess the relevance of our information and gauge your interest in educational offerings

Other / Unforeseen Cookies

Because of the nature of the internet and website functionality, we may not always have visibility into the cookies set by third parties through our website. This is especially true when our web pages include embedded elements, such as texts, documents, images, or videos stored by another party but displayed on, in, or via our website.

If you come across cookies on this website falling into this category, which have not been mentioned earlier, please inform us. Alternatively, you can directly contact the third party responsible and inquire about the specific cookies they have placed, the purpose behind them, their duration, and the measures taken to ensure your privacy.

Browser Settings

If you prefer not to allow websites to place cookies on your computer, you can modify your browser settings to prompt you before cookies are placed. Additionally, you have the option to configure your settings to reject all cookies or only those from third parties. It is also possible to delete cookies that have already been stored. Please be aware that these adjustments must be made separately for each browser and computer you use.

It’s important to note that opting out of cookies may impact the proper functionality of our website. Some features may be lost, and there is a possibility that certain pages may not be accessible. Furthermore, the rejection of cookies does not eliminate the display of advertisements; however, they will no longer be personalized to your interests and may appear more frequently.

The process of adjusting settings varies among different browsers, so you may refer to the help function of your specific browser if needed.

Final Remarks

These statements may undergo revisions periodically, such as when there are changes to our website or updates in cookie regulations. The content of the statements and the cookies listed can be modified at any time without prior notice. Feel free to refer to this webpage for the most up-to-date version.

For any questions or comments, please reach out to us at GSB.