Politics

Medical training a bright spot for the sector, in an election campaign mostly focused elsewhere

Australian university council members bear far less onerous ethical and reporting obligations than volunteer mums and dads, analysis finds

Bill proposing screening of all scholars working on ‘sensitive areas’ will create ‘huge administrative burden’, leaders warn

UK should aim for growth in student numbers but recognise ‘opportunities to reform’ post-study work rights, finds commission convened by former universities minister

Debt forgiveness could reduce graduates’ borrowing capacity, as home ownership becomes defining issue of upcoming election

Alarm that immigration targets may trump universities’ pleas as government mulls new policies

European universities urged to review dependence on Amazon, Google and Microsoft as Trump policies expose vulnerabilities

In recent years, politicians have flip-flopped in their attitudes and policies towards higher education, amid controversy over ‘woke’ agendas and the social effects of immigration. Ahead of next month’s general election, universities find themselves in both main parties’ bad books. John Ross reports

Resistance strategies emerge as White House attempts to make elite universities fall in line

Bill requires universities to promise not to ‘take positions’ on non-core issues or ban invited speakers because of what they might say

Australian university set to become first foreign institution with base in Middle Eastern country, but its staff think it should focus closer to home

‘Lingering doubts’ over future of higher-level opportunities adds to anxiety for institutions that have become more financially reliant on levy money

Alan Langlands to chair taskforce set up to look at teaching and research offer of stricken institution

Institutions scramble to quell ‘panic’ caused by visa revocations, while seeking to avoid incurring wrath of regime intent on cutting funding

Renewed push for country to join Horizon Europe, as foreign minister urges universities to ‘diversify’

Cost of living concerns and difficulties finding graduate jobs drive students to join widespread protests 

Reviving caps could ‘backfire’ if Treasury given more control over what courses universities run, says former universities minister

Key parliamentary ally seeks explanation over apparent discrepancies in reporting of consultancy spend

No word on whether US research partnerships must be registered for possible veto, after American authorities suspend contracts on ideological grounds

UK research funders and philanthropists must step up efforts to incentivise disaffected academics to cross Atlantic, says Venki Ramakrishnan

Warnings lack of independence could stifle new government body as it attempts to unite sector to tackle skills gaps

The program has always followed US foreign policy. Leaving people in the lurch is an incomprehensible new frontier, say Marisa Lally and Gerardo Blanco

While newcomer and frontrunner Mark Carney might be expected to back innovation funding, academics do not expect a loosening of student migration rules any time soon

Universities should offer opportunities to US talent because it can ‘prevent fruitful lines of enquiry from being abruptly cut off’, says head of leading European institution

Sector bodies hit out at lack of focus on cash-strapped sector crucial for driving economic growth and defence innovation

Promise emerged less than 18 hours after government handed down a slender pre-election budget

Expensive pension schemes among issues highlighted as institutions look for ways out of current turmoil

Cost-of-living help unveiled for students, staff and graduates, but sector remains all but empty-handed

Tally of unsubsidised students could reach thousands, representative body warns, after enrolments surpass projections

Seven-figure salaries needed to attract top talent, universities argue, but staff apprehend ballooning executive remuneration with ‘disbelief and anger’

Governments and institutions launch schemes to attract US talent – but budget and anti-internationalisation policy could get in the way, some fear

Alex Salmond’s famous anti-fees pledge remains cast in stone. But with the debacle at Dundee lending credence to the view that Scottish universities are in an even deeper financial hole than their English counterparts, some suggest it is time for students to help haul them out. Tom Williams reports

Institutions still waiting for a budget to be set for financial year amid Javier Milei’s unprecedented austerity drive

Threats to US-funded research and infrastructure could mean ‘profound implications for Australians’, academy warns

Cash recovered from alleged money-laundering pays for development of new institution in Islamabad that prime minister hopes will ‘rival Oxford’

Government told it can ‘no longer ignore’ growing gender educational attainment gap

Institution would have run out of money by end of June without additional Holyrood support, leaders tell MSPs

Rules designed for adversaries do not help against friends, expert warns, as US grills Australian researchers on DEI, ‘environmental justice’, ‘gender ideology’ and China links

Loss of almost 8 per cent of mainstream quality-related funding feared amid concerns that Spring Statement will deepen sector funding crisis

Tropical disease researcher and parliamentarian Lauren Sullivan talks about difficulties of returning to the lab after a career break, juggling family, science and politics, and why Dundee’s life science sector must be supported

The terror financing bill’s broad language may require international efforts to defend academic freedom, says Caroline Ball

Students describe increased ‘anti-immigrant sentiment’ as far-right party becomes significant force in German parliament

New education plan aims to create four city hubs and expand enrolment as youth population swells

Extra £10 million in funding made available to universities such as Dundee to ‘navigate current financial challenges’

Education committee announces investigation into state of funding in the sector and its impact on staff and students

Students spiked their visa paperwork to bolster their chances next time around, new data suggests

The value of the UK’s research block grants has fallen significantly since 2010, as policymakers have focused funding upticks on projects with compelling narratives. And in a tough financial climate, there are widespread fears that the trend could continue. Jack Grove examines what would be lost if it does

UK’s research-intensive universities urge increase in value of Higher Education Innovation Fund and creation of new ‘Spark fund’

Teqsa’s request for extra clout to tackle ‘systemic’ governance failures deemed too much by some, too little and late by others

Student recruitment company warns reintroduction of travel bans would damage perception of US as ‘welcoming’ country

Passing five-figure milestone would only involve a small monetary rise but could it change the psychology of the debate around higher education?

Regulator ‘looking forward to getting on with it’ after key interventions delayed by political wrangling

Education minister concedes to doctors’ demands after year-long feud

Lack of campus visits by Patrick Vallance does not reflect his extensive communication with higher education sector, says science department

Experts concede shortcomings in the oversight of universities but question whether Teqsa is best placed to resolve them

Academics warn that top-level power struggle contributes to low enrolment in state institutions

Most institutions in trouble can find balance between income and expenditure on their own, according to prospective new OfS chair 

Sector regulator Medr looking at demand and provision across the country, says Vikki Howells

New higher education minister attempts to appease students after turbulent month

Amid ongoing confusion around grant decisions and payments, scholars fear they will not be able to continue with potentially life-saving work