Politics

‘Good data means better policy’, educationalists stress

Shadow education secretary puts focus on tweaking student finance and encouraging knowledge exchange as election looms

As politicians stage another public hearing to shame academia, university leaders display new level of resistance, joined by students at Harvard and California system

Lai Ching-te uses inauguration speech to ask for return of mainland students to island universities but installation accompanied by rising cross-Strait tensions

Key post-study work rights to be kept under review but reprieve puts off any changes at least until after coming general election

Rishi Sunak’s decision to hold a snap poll leaves several key sector issues hanging as political focus switches to electioneering

Eighty per cent drop in number of family members given permission to come to UK

Universities are struggling financially amid frozen domestic fees and growing political hostility to international students. But while the public finances are stretched, July’s general election could allow a policy reset. In the second of two articles (read part one here), three senior figures suggest what a new government might realistically do

European Commission’s plans for international qualification should not only prioritise in-demand technologies, says guild

Rishi Sunak looking at launching a clampdown on recruitment agents but has backtracked on reforms to UK’s post-study work rights, according to reports

While offering no assurances over her party’s stance on forthcoming legislation, shadow education minister is a ‘big fan’ of preparatory courses

As Pro-Palestinian encampments spread to more than 20 UK universities, a new organisation of Jewish academics has formed over concerns around the rise of antisemitism on campuses, and another warning against ‘dangerous rhetoric’ from government 

Universities are struggling financially amid frozen domestic fees and growing political hostility to international students. But while the public finances are stretched, July’s general election could allow a policy reset. In the first of two articles (part two here), four senior figures suggest what a new government might realistically do

Members of US House issue bipartisan demand for details of private foundation giving $1 million annually using controversial Chinese company’s donations

Canberra should not stifle university revenue while unrolling expensive equity reforms, says implementation committee member

House education committee, in new front for attacking academia, backs right-wing analysis that alleges political tilt in Truman and Rhodes awards

Economist questions whether private institutions’ focus on profitable social science subjects matches labour market demands

Ministers urged to resist policies that will ‘massively overcorrect’ student numbers as key migration statistics unlikely to reflect reality of institutions’ declining enrolments

Those of us who stay on post-study give far more to our adopted country than we have been able to give to our home nations, says Elena Rodriguez-Falcon

Education secretary uses Education World Forum speech to praise benefits overseas students bring as government considers making changes to the graduate visa

Figures indicate limited scope for growth in international enrolments, as administrators strive to balance the books

Nation’s historically high level of shutdowns and consolidations overwhelmingly remains a private-sector malady, but states showing signs that old certainties may fall away

The troubled excellence initiative has approved only one new institution since 2020. Has the government lost interest, asks an observer

Funding problems and corruption dog sector, but ruling party manifesto stays silent

‘Shockingly bad legislation’ gives ministers power to favour certain disciplines

Will waning power of Scottish National Party fracture the consensus around one of its most closely guarded policies?

We should improve the system while we’re examining it, critics argue

Amid a large number of competing priorities for the next government, focusing on skills and communities is probably the only way for institutions to secure the support they need, conference hears

Universities are crying out for consistency, something resembling certainty and a plan for the way forward, says Graham Galbraith

Brian Bell tells reporters that scrapping visa would only have a modest effect on immigration numbers anyway, given large impact of changes already introduced

Government embraces domestic growth, needs-based funding and a commission to drive it all, but firm commitments remain limited

Politicians promise to support Hong Kong’s international education goals, while reminding universities to foster patriotism towards China

Universities call for end to ‘toxic’ uncertainty over future of post-study work route following publication of MAC report

Everything you need to know as the Migration Advisory Committee publishes its highly anticipated review

Highly anticipated independent report opts for status quo option in boost for universities, after finding no evidence system is being widely abused

Latest proposal, unveiled on eve of federal budget, highlights revenue constraints facing universities and colleges

Proposed legislation ‘unnecessary’ because existing arrangements already include caps, says strategist

THE analysis reveals how entry rates have improved much faster in Labour-held constituencies than in Conservative ones since 2010

Despite claims of political appointments, no party seems to want to make interference in universities an election issue, says Mukhtar Ahmad

Universities losing income from international students would have to slash their R&D spending, letter to chancellor warns

Temperatures soar despite the winter chills, as each side accuses its opponents of extremism

Universities’ financial get-out-of-jail card no longer works, as governments in Canberra and elsewhere turn their backs on foreign students

University insists senate decision to refrain from institutional stance safeguards academic freedom

Intimidation of longstanding civic institutions belies a traditional conservative emphasis on small government and free speech, says Andrew Seligsohn

Long-serving leader sentenced after quashing investigation of former USP administrators

New requirement ‘just the latest lever to reduce net migration’

Public supports getting firms that hire graduates to foot higher education funding bill, says union research

Prime minister summons sector leaders to Downing Street as campus protests spread, demanding disciplinary action against students found to be inciting hatred

Even a favourable MAC report may not relieve political pressure on government to act further on international student numbers, risking ‘enormous damage right across the sector’

Critics’ claim that research on British policy in Northern Ireland will be influenced by ministers is incorrect, says Ian McBride

Biden backs Republican narrative of excessive antisemitism in demonstrations, while California tries to uncover pro-Israel attackers

Right-wing thinktank argues government, not universities, should be put in control of student visa numbers to ‘reduce the potential for abuse’

Kyriakos Pierrakakis tells THE that controversial reforms will help to make country a higher education destination

Vice-chancellors refute claims that the selection process for their roles is politically driven

Ivy League university at centre of nationwide series of student demonstrations will try for smaller events away from campus encampment

Councillors urge government not to place restrictions on post-study work rights

While the government plans measures to relieve placement poverty and student debt, observers also expect higher visa fees and financial capacity bar

The BJP’s ideological pressure is causing religion and politics to intrude into academia, risking a disastrous brain drain, says Eldho Mathews

While indexation change was widely anticipated, backdating of the measure was not

End of prime minister’s two-decade term brings reflection on sector’s rapid development but also its enduring challenges