Latest news

Jobs axe raised as funding cuts bite
Universities UK today warned of "significant" job losses as the safety net protecting universities that fail to attract students was partially withdrawn. Roderick Floud, president of Universities UK, said: "The new arrangements impose unsustainable year-on-year changes, which work against sensible planning. This will almost certainly mean significant redundancies and course closures."

NUS joins push for equal graduate pay
The National Union of Students is backing a campaign for equal pay after a new survey showed that newly graduated women earn 15 per cent less than men on average. The NUS has joined forces with the Equal Opportunities Commission, which has released figures showing that women earn 15 per cent less up to the age of 24, rising to 44 per cent less for those aged 50 to 55.

Newly formed engineering board announces boss
The first chief executive of the newly formed Engineering and Technology Board is Alan Clark, an engineer in business and industry. He will work alongside chairman Sir Peter Williams. The ETB took over from the Engineering Council on January 1 this year.

Duff to lead Sector Skills Development Agency
Christopher Duff has been appointed as the first chief executive of the new Sector Skills Development Agency, the government announced today. Mr Duff, currently chief executive of the South Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council, will be paid £92,000 a year. The agency is operational from next month and will seek to identify and tackle skills shortages across industry.

Edinburgh to offer advice on intelligent living
Next month's Edinburgh International Science Festival will feature a new event, Intelligent Living, aimed at allowing people to use science and technology to extend active, independent and healthy lives. It will tackle issues such as mobile phone radiation, global warming, MMR vaccines and whether holidays are worth taking.