International
Global citizens or good citizens? | There has been much hype of late about building ‘global citizens’ out of our internationally mobile higher education students and academics. But, to what extent is this aspiration for a global citizenry misguided and perhaps even disingenuous?
EU should ease work permit terms for foreign graduates | The European Union should reform its legal labour migration policies and make it easier for people graduating in the EU to obtain a work permit in the EU, in order to attract its fair share of the global talent pool, according to a new Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or OECD report.
Unis face crisis as students turn away | The National Economic and Social Development Board expects the number of Thais in the school-age group (0-21 years) will fall to 20% of the population in 2040, a sharp drop from 62.3% in 1980.
Student Loan Lessons From Abroad | Americans owe more than $1 trillion in student debt. It’s a number fraught with anxiety, and it is driving concern over how the United States structures federal student loans.
OECD figures are not what they seem in higher education | Simple OECD metrics often lead to mythical claims about relative under-funding. These are not as real as they look “at a glance”.
The massification of higher education: Chinese student experiences | In the past two decades, there has been a rapid expansion of higher education in mainland China and Taiwan. While in the 1990s this increase enhanced equity and equality in society, in recent years the growing number of university graduates has led to fewer employment opportunities and a skill mismatch in the labour market.
Finances, quality, outcomes could stymie UK TNE growth | Overseas partnerships for UK institutions are on the rise but there is a risk that inadequate quality assurance, low TNE student outcomes and financial inexperience could choke growth.
U.S. National
Accreditor, and Accreditation, on Trial | When a federal panel weighs whether to keep recognizing an overseer of for-profit colleges this month, the feds and the accreditor alike will be judged on the outcome.
Accrediting Council Should Be Denied Recognition, Says Education Dept. | The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools should be denied renewed recognition, the U.S. Department of Education recommended on Wednesday.
Liberal-Arts Majors Have Plenty of Job Prospects, if They Have Some Specific Skills, Too | he knock that liberal-arts graduates can have a tough time landing a first job is borne out by the data. Yet a new analysis of help-wanted postings for entry-level jobs suggests that those graduates can improve their job prospects markedly by acquiring a small level of proficiency in one of eight specific skill sets, such as social media or data analysis.
U.S. States
Nigel E. Jeffries: West Virginia must invest rather than continue cutting | The West Virginia Legislature has yet to pass a balanced budget that Governor Tomblin has indicated he will sign. Even if we happen to successfully limp through the special session with a budget bill, the same systemic problems that caused the current crisis will remain for years to come.
Proposed University of California System Tuition Hike Ignites Firestorm | Passions are flaring in California, from the legislature to the university campus, after the State Assembly voted last week to significantly raise tuition costs for non-California residents attending UC schools, and to cap the number of out-of-state students at 10 percent in an effort to open greater education access to low-income California students.
Institutional
Change is coming to higher education | More change is on the way in higher education. That’s the message and the prediction of Richard Matasar, Tulane University senior vice president for strategic initiatives and institutional effectiveness. [Note: Richard Matasar].
Logging Off, Dropping Out | Hard data on which students are failing to use learning management software can help colleges intervene to boost retention rates.
Post-traditional Higher Ed Landscape Requires a New Three-Way Partnership | Spoiler alert: Traditional students are no longer the majority in higher education. Today’s student body is older and busier. Meeting their needs will require increased collaboration between often disparate departments.
The Philosophy of What Makes a University | Western Illinois U says low enrollments justify eliminating four liberal arts majors, but faculty leaders say maintaining fields of study is about more than metrics.
No Math Required | Wayne State University drops what has been part of its general-education program for all students, raising the question of which fields are needed by all undergraduates.