U.K.: University of Warwick Creates New Collaboration Programs with French Institutions

The University of Warwick is launching new collaboration programs with French higher education institutions, working to solidify research relationships as slow Brexit negotiations leave much uncertain for the region’s higher education sector. The University of Warwick aims to demonstrate their commitment to collaboration, despite the decisions of the country’s government. Other UK universities have also launched new collaboration projects since the Brexit vote, including the University of Oxford and Imperial College London.

Times Higher Education
March 30, 2018

Netherlands: Government Works to Attract Nigerian Students

The Dutch government is urging Nigerian’s to come study in the Netherlands, highlighting the affordable study opportunities currently available in the country. Netherlands has traditionally not been a major destination country for Nigerian students; a much larger share opt for programs in the U.K., Malaysia, and Ghana. Groups like the Dutch student union LSVb find the country’s increasing international student population concerning, and say that Dutch students now face new competition for their own country’s education programs.

Study International
March 28, 2018

Poland: New Higher Education Reform Increases University Funding

The Polish government recently accepted new plans to reform the country’s higher education sector. The new rules will allocate additional treasury bonds to Polish universities as well as increase funding for higher education in next year’s budget. The government hopes the reform will both internationalize and increase the autonomy of Poland’s universities.

Radio Poland
March 23, 2018

U.K.: Pension Cuts Threaten Reputation of U.K. Higher Education

Coming pension cuts for U.K. academics have pushed many to speak out against what they see as a broken system. While academics often accept lower pay rates than they would receive at a comparable industry position in exchange for things like flexibility and research autonomy, many feel that the recent cuts are a considerable blow from institutions that ultimately view them as replaceable. Students have joined their faculty in protests, which could potentially mar the international reputation of the U.K.’s higher education institutions, as well as push potential international students towards other destination countries.

Times Higher Education
March 22, 2018

U.K.: “Doing nothing is not an option” for Brexit, Marginson warns

Simon Marginson, Director of the U.K.-based Centre for Global Higher Education, warns that not enough effort is being given to establishing institutional links between U.K. Universities and global peers beyond the E.U. He is concerned that universities are used to a fair amount of support from the state and the collective strength of the E.U., and, not prepared for many possible outcomes of independence.

The PIE News
March 22, 2018

U.K.: Integration of TEF-REF Metrics Suggest Emergence of ‘New Elite’ Among U.K. Universities

New teaching excellence framework (TEF) and research excellence framework (REF) metrics are shifting people’s definition of performance among U.K. higher education institutions. As these new metrics are integrated with more traditional measures, some feel a “new elite” may be emerging among the country’s universities. The use of these metrics better represents the quality of universities that balance high quality instruction and strong research output.

Times Higher Education
March 15, 2018