The latest edition of The Fifteen highlights stories on workforce readiness and labour productivity (Hong Kong, the UK) and the expansion and regulation of private higher education (Spain, Tunisia). But we’re also covering such issues as access problems in Finland, faculty issues in Iran and admissions reform in Vietnam, as well as, inevitably, the latest policy atrocities in the United States. Enjoy!
- The most recent controversy in the American higher-ed landscape is the Trump administration’s rapidly increasing use of a little-used power to revoke academic and student VISAs. Is It That Easy for Trump to Revoke Visas? (The Chronicle) Well, it’s either that or the Trump administration’s ‘review’ of several billion worth of funding to Harvard. Trump Administration Targets Harvard With Review of $9 Billion in Federal Funding. (Wall Street Journal)
- The European Commission is pushing research funding towards a competitiveness-focused fund that focuses more on industry applications. The European Parliament and Council, along with universities and research leaders, support preserving the current framework (F10) that prioritizes long-term, more academic research. Is the sun setting on blue-sky EU research funding? (Times Higher Education)
- Many in Higher Education see mergers as an important and potentially necessary part of the sector’s future. However, getting these agreements off the ground is much easier said than done, even when funding incentives exist. Supporting Partnerships for Student Success and Institutional Viability. (Transformational Partnerships Fund)
- Free tuition does not guarantee access, part MCXXIV. In Finland, there are about three times as many students applying than there are spots in universities, leading some students to spend thousands on preparatory courses in a bid to get in. Over 93,000 applicants left without a place at university. (Helsinki Times)
- Long known for cutting-edge research universities, Hong Kong is piloting a government-backed program to open universities offering applied programming to fill the labour market demand for advanced technical skills. Applied sciences universities are set to diversify HE sector. (University World News)
- A report from India shows that tech graduates’ employment struggles are not unique to North America. Many students fail to land jobs after graduating, even with in-demand skills, highlighting the challenge young graduates face getting from campus into the workforce. 60% of premier engineering students lack job offers, highlighting gaps in campus. (The Economic Times)
- Staying in India, a new report says that 51 students died in ragging (i.e. hazing) incidents at their universities over the past three years; medical universities were singled out as particular hotspots. Medical colleges emerge as ragging hotspots with 51 deaths in 3 years, reveals study. (The Times of India)
- We missed this a few weeks back, but better late than never. A Chinese entrepreneur set up a new university and endowed it with $10 billion. Chinese boss in American Factory film approved to launch university to rival Stanford. (SCMP) Now, it’s going after top international faculty. Chinese entrepreneurs’ philanthropy helps lure world-class scholars. (SCMP)
- China has long put a big emphasis on Engineering education. Some think this is now paying serious dividends. How does China’s ‘engineer dividend’ propel rapid growth of its high-tech industries? (Global Times)
- Spain Is in the midst of a private higher education boom, with over 20% of that country’s students now enrolled in the sector. Las universidades públicas pierden estudiantes frente a la gran oferta de las universidades privadas. (infobae) But quality concerns exist. El cuádruple fracaso de Sánchez antes de su ofensiva a las universidades privadas: notas infladas, falta de plazas, peor empleo y regulación fallida. (El Mundo) And now the government is setting out a new set of rules for privates to maintain university status. El Gobierno va a endurecer los criterios para crear nuevas universidades: un mínimo de 4.500 estudiantes y un sistema de validación. (infobae)
- Across the Mediterranean, Tunisia is also figuring out how to regulate booming private universities and a new law is in front of Parliament. Réforme de l’enseignement supérieur privé en Tunisie : un amendement pour renforcer le recrutement d’enseignants permanents. (Business News)
- Iran’s universities are seeing a huge exodus of medical personnel due mainly to poor pay and working conditions. Wave of Faculty Exodus Reaches Iran’s Major Universities. (Iran Focus)
- In a rare piece of positive news on international education, New Zealand is reporting an increase in foreign student applications. New Zealand witnessed a 27% increase in international student applications this year. (Education Times) and predict much larger increases in numbers from India as those students look away from North America. Indian Student Enrolment In New Zealand Set To Nearly Double By 2030, Predicts 95% Growth: Report. (Free Press Journal)
- An interesting piece from the Moscow Times about anti-war resistance in Russian universities. In Russia’s Universities, Anti-War Voices Are Silenced. But Resistance Remains. (The Moscow Times)
- And finally, from Vietnam, which might currently be the world’s most ambitious country when it comes to higher education reform, comes an attempt to re-work university admissions. Currently, there are no fewer than 20 different adjudication methods for university admissions, which is silly. Vietnam plans nearly 20 university admission methods in 2025. (Vietnam Global). But better standardization and an end to early admissions are on the way. Vietnam abolishes early university admission starting 2025. (Vietnam Global)
That’s our quick global roundup in higher education—from privatization, access and employment outcomes to ambitious reforms and the rapidly shifting international markets. Plenty to think about—and plenty more to come. Catch you in the next edition!