Welcome back for another edition of The Fifteen. For the past two weeks, it seems like there have only been two stories in higher education: the Trump attacks on higher education and the QS world subject rankings. We cover the first, of course, but also stories of growing pains, corruption, ambition and blatant rent-seeking from places as far afield as Korea, Italy, Brazil, Vietnam and China. Enjoy.
- We won’t beat around the bush: the biggest story in world higher education is the ongoing carnage in the United States with the Trump administration using EDI as a pretext to defund dozens of colleges. Education Department Investigates Dozens of Colleges for Discrimination. (Inside Higher Education) The former President of Columbia, at least, is speaking out. ‘We’re in the Midst of an Authoritarian Takeover (The Chronicle) The brilliant Masha Gessen and Tressie McMillan Cottom (and also Bret Stephens) discuss the dynamics of the higher education wars in the New York Times: ‘It Is Facing a Campaign of Annihilation’: Three Columnists on Trump’s War Against Academia. (New York Times)
- A British Council report reveals that UK Higher Education Partnerships have seen a surge in enrolment from conflict-affected regions, especially in Iraq, Yemen, and South Sudan. Good news for enrolments, but it also raises concerns about brain drain from those regions. Surge in enrolment on UK university courses by students in conflict zones, report finds. (TheBoar)
- The Indonesian government announced plans to nearly triple spending on university researchers and lecturers. Indonesia seeks to raise university research funding to one per cent of GDP, talent development is the way forward, says minister. (The Star)
- A months-long dispute (marked by mass trainee doctor walkouts) over proposed medical school quota increases intended to address a looming doctor shortfall, is now in sight. South Korea’s education ministry has more or less frozen new admissions at about 3,000 per year after initially proposing an increase to 5,000 per year. South Korea offered to freeze medical student numbers to resolve the 13-month dispute. (Reuters). The government set a March deadline for the return of all trainee doctors amid growing concerns over overstretched emergency services. But the move comes amidst surging medical school applications. Medical school admissions surge expected to complicate acceptance standards in Korea. (Chosun Biz)
- There’s been a massive embezzlement scandal at Motol University Hospital, the Czech Republic’s largest medical facility. Czechia’s largest hospital embroiled in massive fraud scandal. (Radio Prague International)
- Thousands of foreign students accepted to Italian Universities have been waiting for VISA approvals—in some cases for years—in what appears to be developing into a scandal. Italy’s Foreign Ministry Under Fire Over Student Visa Rejections. (Schengen News)
- Interesting research from Chile on the connection between technical education and labour market outcomes, with a focus on the urban/rural divide. Exploring Chile’s labor market outcomes amidst regional disparities in higher education access. (Vanderbilt University)
- Istanbul’s mayor, the leading opposition Presidential candidate in the upcoming general election, has his degree revoked by Istanbul University, making him ineligible to face the incumbent, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Opposition figure, Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu’s diploma canceled, blocking presidential bid. (Türkie Today) Not everyone thinks this is on the level. Istanbul University’s Historic Test And Lost Integrity – OpEd. (Eurasia Review)
- An important piece about how Russia is using stolen Ukrainian academic resources: Stolen Ukrainian universities: An invisible Russian weapon. (Vox Ukraine)
- Pakistan recently received $190 million GBP from the UK in a legal settlement. The government wants to use the money to build a new university. PM announces new university with funds recovered from UK. (University World News) That has caused some consternation among those who think the money should go to existing underfunded institutions. Govt urged to divert 190m pounds to cash-starved universities. (Dawn)
- Nigeria has an admissions crisis, with far more aspirants than places. Minister raises alarm over 75% admission shortfall. (TheGuardian) The government wants institutions to get bigger in order to alleviate these pressures. Parliament wants to add 200 new universities instead. Government Rejects National Assembly’s Plan for 200 New Nigerian Universities. (News Central Africa)
- China’s big universities are being asked to expand undergraduate enrolments after years of being asked to stay small in order to focus on graduate education. China’s Top Universities Want to Get Bigger. Literally. (SixthTone) But that’s not all; the increase in size comes with a push to switch away from humanities and towards STEM. Shrinking Humanities for AI. (China Media Project)
- Staying in China: the country seems to be about to make a big bet on micro-credentials. Bridging skills gap, China equips college grads for evolving job market. (news.cn)
- Brazil is approaching 10 million students enrolled in higher education, making it comfortably the world’s 4th largest higher education system. A rundown on the stats is here: Brasil registra cerca de 10 milhões de estudantes no ensino superior. (Grupo Jovem Pan)
- Vietnam is pushing some ambitious plans to remake its higher education sector. ‘Sweeping’ university reforms planned as Vietnam plays ‘catch up’ (Times Higher Education) American universities, even with a lot else on their minds, are taking notice. Duke, Stanford among 21 American universities seeking partnership in Vietnam. (VN Express)
The Trump administration is, understandably, a magnet for media attention that can make keeping up with stories about anything else difficult. While the news can often look bleak, there are always new and exciting things happening around the world of higher education. We’re cutting through the noise by bringing you stories you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. Have a good weekend.