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IAU Lynx December 2020
KEEPING AN EYE ON HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENTS WORLDWIDEDecember 2020
IAU Lynx offers a monthly overview of higher education developments around the world. It covers new policies, initiatives and projects on various higher education topics. The information is classified by international, regional, bilateral and national initiatives.
INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
UNESCO has just released the Practical Guide to Recognition: Implementing the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education. It provides a step-by step practical approach to recognition of foreign qualifications both for credential evaluation practitioners and for individuals seeking recognition of their foreign qualifications.
UNESCO has published the report Boosting Gender Equality in Science and Technology: a Challenge for TVET Programmes and Careers. It identifies successful practice in increasing the participation and performance of girls and women in STEM-related TVET, and initiatives to improve the participation of women in STEM-related occupations.
To confront the COVID-19 pandemic, parties of the Tokyo Convention issued a statement in which they call for strengthened cooperation and “commit to (…) protecting the rights of an individual to have their studies and qualifications recognized and/or assessed fairly and transparently, including those using non-traditional modes such as online and blended learning”.
Laureates of the 11th edition of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Sahara Africa Programme have been revealed. Since 2010 the Prize rewards each year twenty women scientists for the excellence of their work and supports them to pursue their research through grants of €10,000 for PhD students and €15,000 for post-doctorates.
UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE)
The policy brief AI in Education: Change at the Speed of Learning describes the advancements in technology and explores the promises of AI for students, teachers, school leaders, parents and education administrators. It also highlights the ethical aspects of AI implementation and challenges that it might bring.
UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC)
UNESCO IESALC has released the report Towards Universal Access to Higher Education: International Trends. (Spanish version).Themes covered include: global patterns in access to higher education, drivers and barriers to achieving universal access to higher education, enabling policies, access versus success rates in higher education, and effects of increased access on quality, equity and performance in higher education.
On 17 November, UNESCO IESALC organised the webinar “Access of the Most Disadvantaged to Higher Education is a Challenge to Face in Latin America and the Caribbean” . It highlighted the advances and challenges faced by the region and the aggravation of the situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic in social commitment, access, social mobility, more inclusive admission processes and decentralisation.
IESALC presented the Report “Towards Universal Access to Higher Education: International Trends” In the framework of the third edition of the World Day for Higher Education (WAHED), at the Conference "Inequalities in Access to Higher Education for Disadvantaged Populations in the Latin American and Caribbean Region in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic", held on 17 November.
International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP UNESCO)
IIEP UNESCO has released the online recording of the Strategic Debate Resilience in Higher Education - What Lessons Can We Draw from COVID-19? held online 26 November 2020 in which Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary General of IAU, took part. In light of the current health crisis, participants examined the factors that foster resilience in higher education, and what should be taken into account for the future of planning higher education. Watch recording.
IIEP-UNESCO held online the Latin America Regional Forum on Education Policy, November 9-13, meant to provide a space for dialogue and reflection with the goal of promoting strategies to advance towards achieving the Education 2030 Agenda. Attending ministries of education and officials from all the region developed recommendations and lines of action for building inclusive education in challenging post-pandemic times.
Scholars at risk has released a new report: Free to Think 2020, the Report of the Scholars at Risk Academic Freedom Monitoring Project. The report analyses 341 attacks on higher education communities in 58 countries between September 2019 and August 2020
International Council for Distance Education (ICDE)
On the 25th of November, ICDE completed a ’virtual marathon’ through 18 hours of leadership discussions across 6 regions within 24 hours. Higher education leaders convened to discuss challenges, needs and solution to the topic: Recalibrating educational leadership for resilient education.
Return to top REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Africa - Americas - Asia & Pacific - Europe
The third World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED) 2020 event was held on 17 November. The event was hosted virtually by the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Concentrating on Africa, the event examined how the COVID-19 pandemic has increased inequality in African higher education but, where universities have had successes in adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, they can build on their experience to deal with the challenge.
Asociación de Universidades Grupo Montevideo
At its meeting on 17 November, the Council of Rectors of the Association of Universities of the Montevideo Group released a declaration in which it expressed its growing concern about the lack of respect for and the violation of university autonomy in the region, and urged the public authorities of the States to safeguard it by granting it a budget and the necessary funding. Within this framework, the Council of Rectors approved the creation of the Regional Observatory of University Autonomy and Budgets, whose mission is to preserve and defend regional university autonomy.
Asociación Universitaria Iberoamericana de Postgrado
The Association has launched the “AUIP Sustainability Awards” with the aim of recognizing students who have focused their Doctoral thesis in relation to some of the SDGs. The prize is for Doctorants in universities belonging to a country in the Ibero-American Knowledge Area. Deadline: 30 December 2020.
Red CLARA
The eLAC2022 Digital Agenda was approved and will be implemented over the next two years. It contains 39 objectives classified into 8 areas of action and a section on the pandemic and economic recovery, and was approved in the framework of the VII Ministerial Conference on the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean, organized online by ECLAC and the Government of Ecuador. Goal 5 highlights the importance of "creating specialized digital and connectivity infrastructures to strengthen education, science and technology in the region".
Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (OEI)
TheMinistries of Education of the 23 OEI member states have given the green light to the organisation’s Programme Budget for the next two years. A more inclusive, digital, skills-based and human rights-based education, with a special focus on early childhood, as well as on higher education where academic mobility, research and scientific transfer of knowledge are key.
Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE)
The IOHE and the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Both institutions are committed to increasing opportunities for academic collaboration between Canada and the Americas. The MoU supports the strategy for academic cooperation between Canada and the Americas that was launched during the CAEI Montreal-2017 and reinforced in preparation for the CAEI Bogotá-2019.
Virtual Educa Lisboa
The Virtual Educa Global Forum "Connected Education" has made available to the public the recordings of the interventions during the Forum held between 23 and 24 November online.
Consejo Superior Universitario Centroamericano (CSUCA)
On 16 November 2020, the Central American Higher University Council held its conference in virtual mode. Innovative experiences of universities during the COVID pandemic were exchanged. As relevant results of the session, the General Secretariat’s Work Plan and budget for 2021 were approved.
Asia-Pacific Network of National Information Centres (APNNIC)
APNNIC, the regional network of National Information Centres (NICs) to the Tokyo Convention on the recognition of qualifications concerning higher education in the Asia-Pacific region, has launched a new portal that provides free and authoritative information on the recognition of qualifications to help facilitate physical or virtual mobility of students and academics.
https://apnnic.net/Asian Development Bank (ADB)
ADB has released the book Anticipating and Preparing for Emerging Skills and Jobs: Key Issues, Concerns, and Prospects, which contains a compilation of articles that examine the main drivers of change impacting upon society and the economy and, through them, on the evolving world of work. The book identifies and explores the implications of such developments for changes in education and training notably with regard to higher education.
European Union
The European Parliament and EU Council agreed on 10 November on the EU’s multiannual financial framework. Horizon Europe is now set to receive 84.9bn Euros, meaning that its budget is increased by 4bn Euros compared to the amount reached in a decision in July. Erasmus+ is now set to reach 23.4bn Euros, compared to 21.2bn agreed in July.
The European University Association and the European Research Council have released Statements reacting to this developementEuropean Commission
The new European Commission “Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion” was released in November. It frames migrant integration under the overarching theme of “Inclusion for all”. With regard to higher education, the Action Plan emphasises the need for improved recognition of degrees, which would enhance labour market access and, generally, the social position of migrants. It acknowledges that in Europe today, a quarter of migrants are highly educated, and that 40% are overqualified for the job that they do. The European Universities Association has released a statement in response to the plan.
Return to top NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Australia
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Guinea
Hong Kong
Ireland
Japan
Kenya 
Morocco
Netherlands 
New Zealand
Pakistan 
Sweden
United Kingdom 
United States
Uruguay 
VietnamOnline learning
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has released the report Foundations for Good Practice: The Student Experience of Online Learning in Australian Higher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Based on students experiences submitted by 118 HEIs, it analyses approaches taken by the providers and examples of good practice in the transition to online learning.Indigenous students
Universities Australia in partnership with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC) have launched the new campaign Indigenous OpportUNIty which features a series of short social media videos and a website for potential students.Graduate employment
The National Report of the 2020 Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS) of the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) survey programme provides updated information on the labour market outcomes, and further study activities of graduates. Areas of focus this year include: the impact of COVID-19 on labour force outcomes, gender differences, skills utilisation including graduate occupations.Graduate employment - international students
The International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) has released the Second Edition of International Student Employability: A Guide for Australian Education Providers. It discusses the current challenges facing education providers and presents 10 best practice principles to enhance the prospects of international students in employment.Ministers of education have said that universities in Belgium can begin welcoming limited groups of students back on campus for certain exams or activities. The Flemish regional education minister, Ben Weyts, and the minister of higher education for the Brussels-Wallonia Federation, Valérie Glatigny, confirmed that both Flemish and Francophone universities will be able to hold on-site exams.
The selection process for the Doctorate Programme Abroad (PDSE) offered by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel (CAPES) is open. The selection allows students enrolled in doctorate courses evaluated with a score of four or higher in the last four years, who prove fluency in the foreign language of the destination institution, to undertake part of their training abroad.
Green Economy Scholarships - call for Applicants
The Canadian government has introduced a new short-term exchange opportunity in Canada for students from the Caribbean Community member states, who pursue qualifications in disciplines related to climate change and resilience building. The Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships programme is facilitated through institutional collaborations and student exchange agreements between publicly funded Canadian colleges and institutes and post-secondary institutions across the CARICOM offering technical or vocational education and training (TVET). Application period: January to March 2021International students
A new Statistics Canada study has shown that Canadian universities are increasingly reliant on international students studying in Canada – especially those from China – to boost their finance. China is the source of more than half of all international students in Canada. During the decade that closed at the end of the 2018-19 academic year, the growth in the number of international students attending Canadian universities and colleges far outstripped the growth in the number of Canadian students.The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) of Chile, through the Dirección de Estudios Avanzados (DEA), has created a set of financing instruments, for the strengthening and quality assurance of its postgraduate programmes. The implementation of this scholarship programme, in collaboration with the Ibero-American University Association for Postgraduate Studies (AUIP), is in line with this purpose, while favouring the recruitment of human talent and the internationalisation of the university and its programmes. Application deadline: 28 December 2020.
China
The National Conference on the Rule of Law in Higher Education was held at Nanjing University on November 5-6, 2020. It encouraged HEIs to improve instruments in relation to their constitution, mechanisms designed for protecting the rights and interests of teachers and students, and legal risk mitigation systems, in addition to strengthening education on the Constitution and the rule of law.Education budget
President Ivan Duque passed the Budget Law for 2021, which earmarks 47.3 billion pesos for the education sector. The Education sector receives the largest budget approved by Congress for the third consecutive year.Internationalization
The Ibero-American Seminar on Quality Practices in Internationalization was held on 9 - 10 December 2020, promoted by the Colombian Association of Universities - ASCUN, the Organisation of Ibero-American States (OEI), in collaboration with the International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC-UNESCO), the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga in Colombia (UNAB), the University of Alcalá in Spain (UAH) and the National University of Córdoba in Argentina. Topics such as the OEI’s Universidad Iberoamérica 2030 project, the effects of the pandemic on the internationalisation of universities and experiences in virtual mobility were discussed.The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) has released the annual fact book on undergraduate and graduate students at the Egyptian universities and colleges for the year 2019.
The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) published the report Flexible Learning Pathways in Higher Education. Finland’s country case study as part of IIEP-UNESCO’s global research project – SDG4: Planning for Flexible Learning Pathways in Higher Education. It offers evidence-based policy recommendations for the Ministry of Education and Culture and HEIs to improve the learning experience for all students and close equity gaps.
The Prime Minister has announced to the Conference of University Presidents (Conférence des présidents d’université (CPU) a possible progressive return to in-class teaching in January depending on the evolution of the pandemic.
There have been major impacts on the international education sector in Germany due to the pandemic, according to an article published recently.
The Guinean Ministry of Higher Education and Research has put in place a dedicated platform ECP (Espace de continuité pédagogique). The platform aims to assist students as they continue to study during the Covid-19 pandemic and is full of resources and tools designed to help students (in French).
In his 2020 Policy Address, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong announced the introduction of the “Global STEM Professorship Scheme” a five-year plan meant to further support the UGC-funded universities to recruit outstanding research talent to work in Hong Kong.
The University Grants Committee (UGC) will allocate $50 million to the eight UGC-funded universities for strengthening their student support services in response to the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Initiatives to be taken will cover areas such as psychological counselling, mental well-being and career planning and development, physical fitness and healthy lifestyle.
According to the Irish Universities Association (IUA), universities are estimated to be facing a combined deficit of at least €102m between this academic year and the last due to the effects of the pandemic.
The Kenya Space Agency has awarded development grants to local universities for nanosatellite development and operational space weather study under the Research Chairs (RC) programme as they aim to build up the country’s socio-economic development
Proposed reforms by the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education that would, introduce a new four year undergraduate degree instead of the current three years has led to opposition among both students and professors. The plan was supposed to be implemented this academic year, but has been delayed by a year. The proposed reforms come in an attempt to improve the quality of university education and the quality of students graduating.
The Dutch government has announced a set of measures to help safeguard knowledge security at the country’s universities and research institutions. The measures will prevent the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology that could harm the country’s national security or lead to limits on academic freedom, the cabinet outlined in a letter.
Educational policy
The newly revealed Tertiary Education Strategy (TES) sets out the Government’s current and medium-term priorities, and long-term strategic direction for higher education. It is intended to address economic, social and environmental goals, and the development aspirations of Māori and other population groupsNew minister briefing
Universities New Zealand has issued a briefing for the incoming Minister of Education that provides an overview of the key problems, challenges, and opportunities facing the university sector. It identifies 8 priorities and focuses on how to achieve these objectives in ways that ensure the country’s university system remains viable and effective in the long term.The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced a new Policy Guidance for the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), following the Government’s decision regarding continuation of education during the 2nd wave of COVID-19. Areas covered include the duration of closure for academic institutions, the rescheduling of winter holidays, campus presence, examination planning, hostels occupation and financial support to help public sector universities improve the quality of online education.
The special investigator for proposing a new structure for innovation support at public universities in Sweden, Alf Karlsson, has published a report proposing a major restructure of HE by 2022 to a more nationally coordinated and better functioning and funded system.
Covid and student returns
New guidance published by the Department for Education sets out how higher education institutions should manage student returns from January. All students should be offered Covid tests when they return to university. The Government also announced a one-off fund of up to £20 million to help students most in need of support.International students and immigration
Universities UK has released guidance is to support university employers to transition to the skilled worker route under the new points-based immigration system.On 2 December, the American Council on Education (ACE) and over 100 other higher education associations sent a letter to House and Senate leaders documenting the extreme financial stress that colleges and universities have been under during the pandemic. The letter urges Congress and the Administration to finalize negotiations as quickly as possible on a supplemental spending to provide at least $120 billion in needed support to students and campuses across the country.
Data from the National Student Clearinghouse show that first-time enrollment at colleges and universities in the United States decreased by 13% from fall 2019 to fall 2020.
The Education Directorate of the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) released the publication "Characterization of non-formal education in Uruguay". The presentation was attended by the Minister of Education and Culture, Pablo da Silveira, who welcomed the study which "disarms many prejudices that exist about non-formal education”.
Over 100,000 university students in Ho Chi Minh City have been asked to stay at home while many other universities are stepping up efforts to deal with new local Covid-19 transmissions.
Return to top IAU Lynx November Edition
IAU Lynx October Edition
IAU Lynx September EditionIAU Lynx coordinator: Amanda Sudic
Collaborating team: Nicholas Poulton, Samuel Pousson, Carine Sebast and Lianne Guerra
Contact: [email protected]
© IAU 2020 -
IAU Lynx November 2020 KEEPING AN EYE ON HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENTS WORLDWIDE
November 2020
IAU Lynx offers a monthly overview of higher education developments around the world. It covers new policies, initiatives and projects on various higher education topics. The information is classified by international, regional, bilateral and national initiatives.
INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
The extraordinary session of the Global Education Meeting (2020 GEM) held on 22 October resulted in the 2020 GEM Declaration in which participants committed to protect education finance and identified priority actions to accelerate progress towards SDG4 in the context of COVID-19 and beyond. During the meeting, the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) issued a Statement that underlines the vital role Higher Education plays in support of sustainable development, a green recovery, while also ensuring the quality of education, equity, and gender equality.
UNESCO Office in Harare
Call for PartnersThe UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education invites interested universities, polytechnics, and technical and vocational training colleges to apply to become Partners on the Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3 Plus) project, due to commence in 2021. It will seek to ensure that young people in higher education institutions in Zambia and Zimbabwe benefit from a comprehensive campus wide programme on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Deadline: 30 November.UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC)
On 17 November, the Latin American and Caribbean region will participate in the third edition of World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED), with the presentation of the conference "Inequalities in Access to Higher Education by Disadvantaged Populations in the Latin American and Caribbean Region in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic", organised by IESALC-UNESCO.
In the Webcast Back to the future: Higher Education in the Post-Pandemic world, the Director of UNESCO IESALC addressed the current situation and the prospects for the future of Higher Education in the pandemic and post-pandemic world, analysing university closures’ main effects and impacts and hybridization between online and face-to-face classes.
UNESCO/Fiji
On 27 August, Fiji became the first Small Island Developing State to ratify the Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education, known as the Tokyo Convention. The text aims to facilitate international mobility of students and academics in higher education in the Asia-Pacific region by setting a framework of collaboration amongst the State Parties on mutual and fair recognition of higher education
Global University Network for Innovation (GUNi)
The report of the 2nd GUNi International Conference on SDGs: “Higher Education & Science Take Action” - held in Barcelona on March 2020 – has been released. It contains articles by 104 authors that participated in the event, grouped under the following themes: Integrating Student Leadership in Sustainable Actions; Revising Institutional Strategies in the Context of the 2030 Agenda; Key Competencies Approaches for Sustainability; Developing Evaluation Tools for Change; Social Impact through SDGs: Transforming Communities; Innovative Social Engagement through Service Learning; Teacher Training: Seeds for Transformative Competencies; Responsible Research for the SDGs; Regional perspectives; Students’ voices.
International Council for Distance Education (ICDE)
Call for applications - OER Expert for Francophone Africa projectThe ICDE has launched a call for an expert and project consultant to collaborate in a project that will support the implementation of the UNESCO OER Recommendation in a selection of Francophone African Countries. Closing date: 17 November.
International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) / NAFSA: Association of International EducatorsLaunched by IEAA and NAFSA, the Guide to Practitioner Research in International Education, encourages international education workers to combine research with professional practice and aims to foster good practice in producing and promoting international education research outcomes. It discusses issues and provides suggestions relating to: Research Questions; Varieties of Research; Resourcing; Ethical Issue; Dissemination.
https://www.ieaa.org.au/news/ieaa-and-nafsa-launch-guide-to-practitioner-research-in-international-educationReturn to top REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Africa - Americas - Asia & Pacific - Europe
eLearning Africa
The Report "The Effect of Covid-19 on Education in Africa and its Implications for the Use of Technology" has been published by eLearning Africa and the EdTech Hub. The authors received detailed survey responses from over 1600 education and technology practitioners, experts, policy makers, administrators and investors.
Asociación Universitaria Iberoamericana de Postgrado
On 27 October the Asociación Universitaria Iberoamericana de Postgrado (Association for Postgraduate Latin American Universities) , agreed to award 41 grants to facilitate the mobility of students and academics between Andalusian and Latin American universities.
Centro Interuniversitario de Desarrollo (CINDA)
On 28 October, the fourth session of the Transformative Internationalisation series took place. This series of meetings - organised in conjunction with the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) - presented best practices from eight institutions identified in the 2020 call for proposals of CINDA’s Transforming Internationalisation project.
Organización Universitaria Interamericana (OUI)
OUI celebrated its 40th anniversary with a series of conferences held between 19 and 22 October in which education ministers from several countries in the region participated, the General Assembly of members was held and the third Inter-American Award for Innovative Educational Models in Higher Education was inaugurated.
Caribbean Community member states (CARICOM)
Global Affairs Canada has launched a new short-term exchange opportunity in Canada for students from the Caribbean Community member states (CARICOM), undertaking university studies in disciplines related to climate change and resilience building. The Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships program is facilitated through institutional collaborations and student exchange agreements between Canadian institutions and institutions across the CARICOM offering technical or vocational education and training (TVET).
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
The Ministers of Education of the Member States of the ASEAN issued a Joint Statement at the Conference on the Digital Transformation of Education Systems throughout ASEAN on 15 October in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. Calling for digital transformation in education, they agreed to: work towards lifelong learning and the digital transformation of education systems in ASEAN; Promote access to safe digital learning; and support the development of an ASEAN Declaration on the Digital Transformation of Education Systems.
The Study on Enhancing Intra-ASEAN University Student Mobility has just been released. It looks at three factors crucial to enhancing intra-ASEAN mobility for university students: Understanding the data available on international students; The role of visa provision; Scholarship and ASEAN single branded scholarship (SBS).
Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU)
AAOU have called for submissions for the 34th Annual Conference of the Asian Association of Open Universities themed “Opening Minds for a Sustainable Future: Re-orienting ODL to Surmount Challenges” - rescheduled to June 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deadline: 15 December.European Commission
The European Commission released a new Communication on the European Education Area (EEA) on 30 September. It lays out a pathway to achieving the EEA by 2025. In higher education, the aim is to encourage joint curriculum development across universities in different countries, policy support for transnational cooperation via higher education alliances, a strong role for education institutions in supporting the recovery from COVID-19 and sustainable development, deeper faster international cooperation on studying abroad and a stronger focus on advanced digital skills.
European Universities Associations
The presidents of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), Universities Austria (UNIKO) and the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) have published a common statement “Last chance to invest in European higher education and research” urging governments to recognise the value of education, research and innovation in the EU Multiannual Financial Framework. The signatories stress that policymakers must act fast to set the right course for a successful future by significantly increasing funds for flagship programmes like Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.
European University Association
The European University Association (EUA) and the European Students’ Union (ESU) have released a Statement condemning that Belarusian professors and students who supported anti-presidential protests have lost their jobs or the opportunity to continue education at Belarusian universities. EUA and ESU call on the Belarusian authorities to guarantee all citizens, including students and university staff, the right to free expression, assembly and protest. EUA and ESU also urge the government of Belarus to reconsider the recent decision to no longer recognise diplomas from foreign educational institutions.
Return to top NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Afghanistan
Albania
ArgentinaAustraliaBrazilCanadaColombiaEgyptFinlandFrance
GreeceGuineaIrelandJapan
KazakhstanKenya 
Lithuania
MexicoMoroccoNetherlands 
Nicaragua
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
South Africa 
SwitzerlandUnited Kingdom United StatesOn 2 November an attack on Kabul University left 19 students and teachers dead and over 22 others wounded. The attack has been widely condemned by the Afghan government, its international partners and rights groups.
The Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Evis Kushi has announced that Albanian universities will start the 2020-2021 academic year, which began in November, with only online classes.
A new conference of the Rectors’ Athenaeum was held with the participation of more than 90 leaders and teachers from the member universities of the Council of Rectors of Private Universities (CRUP). On this occasion the speakers were Emilio Baños Ardavin, President of the Federation of Mexican Private Institutions of Higher Education, and Claudio Rama, former director of IESALC/UNESCO.
Academic integrity
The Minister of Education has launched a new TEQSA Academic Integrity Toolkit, developed to assist integrity practitioners with promoting academic integrity and to address contract cheating within their institutions. It includes benchmarking tools, advice on policy and case studies from Australian higher education providers.Higher education reforms
The Job-ready Graduates Package of reforms to higher education legislation has been passed and became a law in October. Government university funding will grow to AUS$ 20 billion by 2024, up to 30,000 new university places will be created by 2021 and additional support provided for students in regional and remote Australia. It aims to help drive the nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.The III National Congress on Inclusion in Higher Education and Professional Technological Education, a free online event promoted by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) will take place from 23 to 27 November 2020.
Educational finance
In a report published in November, Statistics Canada has projected Canadian universities could lose as much as CAN$ 3.4 billion for the 2020-2021 academic year in large part due to a decrease in the number of foreign students because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Technology transfer
A new programme aimed to help researchers validate and find commercial value in their ideas has officially launched at three Canadian universities. The Lab2Market programme was developed to support researchers working in deep technology sectors.Call for applications for student bursaries
The Secretary of State for Research and the University of Laval have launched a call for applications for 700 bursaries for international students for studies at Canadian universities. The bursaries aim to facilitate the immigration of international students who will be eligible after graduation to find employment in Canada.
Further information and application forms at: [email protected]On 29 October, the National Council of Rectors of the Colombian Association of Universities (ASCUN) met online, in which the Director of IESALC-UNESCO and the ECLAC representative in Colombia took part. They reflected on the changes to boost growth and the role of the university in rethinking the future.
The Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) has announce that it will be establishing a cluster of space technology centres in Universities across the country. The Agency will also support Egyptian universities through the process of establishing the technology centres on their campuses, provide equipment, human resources, and provision of technical knowledge.
The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) published the report Flexible Learning Pathways in Higher Education. Finland’s country case study as part of IIEP-UNESCO’s global research project – SDG4: Planning for Flexible Learning Pathways in Higher Education. It offers evidence-based policy recommendations for the Ministry of Education and Culture and HEIs to improve the learning experience for all students and close equity gaps.
Covid-19 - New regulations for universities
On 29 October, the French government laid down regulations so that higher education face to face classes do not take place; Higher education institutions stay open, but classes are given digitally, except for practical work. The French Rectors Association (Conférence des Présidents d’Université (CPU) released a Statement warning that first year students will be particularly affected and that there is a risk of dropout.A group of academics have signed a letter urging Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to increase security at higher education facilities in order to “safeguard academic life and the operation [of universities]” subsequent to recent violence and intimidation against university academics and vandalism of faculties.
The Guinean Ministry of Higher Education and Research has put in place a dedicated platform ECP (Espace de continuité pédagogique). The platform aims to assist students as they continue to study during the Covid-19 pandemic and is full of resources and tools designed to help students (in French).
The Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has announced that the country will finance students affected by the Covid-19 pandemic to enroll in free courses enabling them to retrain and upskill to (re)enter the workforce. The €30 million initiative includes many short, stand-alone modular courses, as well as places on existing full-time and part-time postgraduate courses.
The education ministry plans to allow an increase in the number of international students studying at national universities from the 2022 academic year, in an effort to increase the universities’ international competitiveness and ensure the stability of their finances
Presentations and recordings of the International Online Forum "Global in Regional: Kazakhstan in the Bologna Process and EU Projects" - held October 20-21- are online. Dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s participation in the Bologna Process, the forum organised by the Ministry of Education and Science. A Communiqué was also released, in which forum participants supported the proposal to create a Central Asian zone of the Bologna Process to further ensure the quality of higher education in the region and call on Central Asian countries to intensify their higher education reform initiatives.
The Kenya Space Agency has awarded development grants to local universities for nanosatellite development and operational space weather study under the Research Chairs (RC) programme as they aim to build up the country’s socio-economic development
Several universities in Lithuania have announced they are switching to remote-only teaching in the context of Covid-19. Vilnius University, Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas and Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius said on 23 October they would discontinue in-class teaching. All lectures and seminars are to be conducted online, except when special equipment is needed.
The call is open to Higher Education Institutions and Research Centres in Mexico to submit proposals for research projects to be developed jointly with French institutions and research centres and which involve doctoral training in the following areas: health and emerging diseases; water, energy, food and climate change; governance, sustainable development and inequalities; modelling, ICTs, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data. Deadline for submitting proposals: 28 December.
Proposed reforms by the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education that would, among other things, introduce a new four year undergraduate degree instead of the current three years has led to opposition among both students and professors. The plan was supposed to be implemented this academic year, but has been delayed by a year. The proposed reforms come in an attempt to improve the quality of university education and the quality of students graduating.
Dutch universities have seen enrolment rise by 8% this year (a total of 328,000 students) compared to the to 2019-2020 academic year according to provisional registration figures from the association of Dutch universities VSNU. The association attributes the increase to the consequences of coronavirus crisis.
With the participation of more than 600 representatives of member institutions of the National Council of Universities (CNU), the "First National Postgraduate Academic Meeting" was held on 29 October in virtual mode. Its objectives were to address the challenges of postgraduate education in the context of the pandemic, and to share the lessons learned from the strategies implemented in the different universities.
Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood has announced that Pakistani universities need to focus more on promotion of research culture in the country.
The Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology (DHERST) has announced that over 5000 students from 32 institutions across the country have so far benefited from the National Government’s recently introduced Higher Education Loan Program (HELP).
University of South Africa (UNISA), an IAU Member, recently held a seminar series on African scholarship and indigenous ways of knowing, from 23-25 September. A brief summary of the talks given can be found here.
Swiss universities went back to distance learning from 2 November according to new anti-coronavirus measures announced by the government on 28 October,
Covid 19 - new guidelines issued
The UK government has published new guidance for higher education institutions concerning the lockdown in England, which confirms that face-to-face teaching can continue where possible, and clarifies that libraries and shared-study spaces will remain open for students to access.Education funding
The Institute for Fiscal Studies annual report on education spending has found that Universities in England which are still grappling with the impact of Covid-19 are facing "significant" financial risks from high drop-out rates and soaring pension costs.New Immigration rules - university associations respond
The American Council on Education (ACE) and 23 other higher education associations filed briefs to the Government supporting legal challenges to new rules restricting immigration H1-B visas for highly skilled workers.Covid 19 - Campus closures
Data from the College Crisis Initiative and the Chronicle of Higher Education indicate that just over 300 campuses are closed for the fall semester.Return to top IAU Lynx October Edition
IAU Lynx September Edition
IAU Lynx July EditionIAU Lynx coordinator: Amanda Sudic
Collaborating team: Nicholas Poulton, Samuel Pousson, Carine Sebast and Lianne Guerra
Contact: [email protected]
© IAU 2020 -
IAU Lynx October 2020 KEEPING AN EYE ON HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENTS WORLDWIDE
October 2020
IAU Lynx offers a monthly overview of higher education developments around the world. It covers new policies, initiatives and projects on various higher education topics. The information is classified by international, regional, bilateral and national initiatives.
INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)
UNESCO UIL has just released an issue note on Higher education institutions’ engagement local communities in the context of the current pandemic. It shares various lessons from past practices and the current crisis but also provides practical tips for designing policy interventions.
Nominations are open for the 2020 edition of the UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the use of ICT in education that annually distinguishes projects ensuring the continuity and quality of learning. This year’s theme is the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the continuity and quality of learning. Deadline for nominations: 18 December.
Rethinking Mass Higher Education: Towards Community Integrated Learning Centres is a new background paper has been released by UNESCO. It discusses the limitations of mass higher education, international education, and possibilities of alternative, community integrated learning centres.
UNESCO has published the report Education Policy Review: Towards a Lifelong Learning System Results from a Critical Sectoral Analysis and an In-Depth Policy assessment conducted by UNESCO and the Ministry of Education of Mongolia. It provides recommendations to reform the education system in teaching and learning; Mainstreaming ICT in Education and Learning; and lifelong learning for all.
UNESCO has just released The Lifelong Learning approach: Implications for Education policy in Latin America and the Caribbean. It has three parts: LLL in the international context, international plans for education in Latin America and the Caribbean, and LLL in this region.
The report "Education in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic" (La educación en tiempos de la pandemia de COVID-19), produced by the Regional Office of Education for Latin America and the Caribbean (OREALC/UNESCO Santiago), ECLAC and UNESCO, has been published. The report aims to make visible the diversity of measures implemented in the 33 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean during the pandemic and their impact on educational communities.
UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC)
UNESCO IESALC has made available recordings of the following two webinars (in Spanish):
the V Ibero-American Workshop on Higher Education Indicators, organized by the Red Iberoamericana de Indicadores de Educación Superior (INDICES) where participants highlighted the importance of defining the concept of virtual academic mobility for the generation of internationalization indicators in Ibero-America and the need to join efforts to achieve region-specific indicators.
the International Colloquium “Impact of COVID-19 on Education”, organised by the RUDECOLOMBIA Doctorate in Educational Sciences of the University of Cartagena. Participants discussed the impact of temporary closure of higher education institutions (HEI) regionally, the necessity for HEIs to undertake emergency remote teaching and the importance of face-to face learning.UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (Shenzhen) (UNESCO-ICHEI)/ Cambodia
UNESCO-ICHEI and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of Cambodia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in the field of higher education digital transformation and empower HEI teachers with ICT to build a shared platform with digital resources. Future plans include the setting up of the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) and the building of a national MOOCs platform for Cambodia - Khmer MOOCs (KHMOOCs).
Agence universitaire de la francophonie (AUF)
AUF has published a new guide for the implementation of distance learning systems, “Methodological guide for the implementation of an ODL system. An initiative of the Yaoundé campus” was developed within higher education institutions in Cameroon. The guide offers training for institutions wishing to implement distance learning.
OECD
The 2020 edition of the Education at a Glance 2020 has just been released. The report covers all levels of education, from pre-primary to doctoral education and includes a special focus on initial and continuing vocational education and training.
The OECD has just released ’Education responses to COVID-19: Implementing a way forward’. The paper proposes a framework and recommendations to help governments form and implement strategy for education responses to COVID-19.
the OECD Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI) has released the policy brief ’Remote online exams in higher education during the COVID-19 crisis’. It outlines possible short-term and long-term solutions for organising student examinations on line in the context of campus closures and social distancing measures.
G20
Internationalization in education and the Education Continuity in times of crisis were among the items discussed at the G20 virtual Education Ministers Meeting chaired by Saudi Arabia in September. The “Ministerial Communique of the G20 Education Ministers Meeting” adopted as an outcome document supports the promotion of internationalization in education for all, encourages the integration of international and intercultural dimensions into all levels.Return to top REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Africa - Americas - Asia & Pacific - Europe
eLearning Africa
The Report "The Effect of Covid-19 on Education in Africa and its Implications for the Use of Technology" has just been published by eLearning Africa and the EdTech Hub. The authors received detailed survey responses from over 1600 education and technology practitioners, experts, policy makers, administrators and investors.
AUiP (Asociación Universitaria Iberoamericana de Postgrado)
On 30 September, a virtual meeting of the AUiP Executive Committee, made up of 21 rectors from different Latin American universities, was held, where future actions were presented. Despite the exceptional situation created by the pandemic, the AUIP has continued to programme mobility, master’s and doctoral grants, as well as calls for technical missions and aid for the creation and consolidation of research networks.
Unión de Universidades de América Latina y el Caribe (UDUAL)
In September the Secretary General of UDUAL sent a letter of solidarity to the academic and student community in Brazil following actions by the government impacting university autonomy of Brazilian universities.
RedCLARA
On 17 September, Africa and South America were connected for the first time through a BGP peer established between Tertiary Education & Research Network of South Africa (TENET) and RedCLARA. The link establishes direct communication with lower latency, allowing direct South-South collaboration between both continents in Science, Education and technological development, among others.
Centro Interuniversitario de Desarrollo (CINDA)
On 30 September, the webinar series "Internationalisation as a strategy for university transformation" (La internacionalización como estrategia de transformación de las universidades) began, organised by CINDA and the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) began with the aim of publicising the good practices of internationalisation of the network’s universities.
ÁPICE (Pan American Association of Educational Credit Institutions)
The report “Innovations and Good Practices of Educational Credit”, published by ÁPICE with the support of the UNESCO Participation Programme, discusses sixteen experiences on educational credit innovations and good practices developed in Latin America and the Caribbean by different universities and educational credit institutions.
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
The ADB brief Online Learning in Sri Lanka’s Higher Education Institutions during the COVID-19 Pandemic outlines lessons and opportunities to improve online learning modalities based on the experiences of Sri Lanka. It presents the the findings of three surveys conducted among administrators, faculty members, and students at public and private HEIs to assess participation in online education, access to internet, hardware devices and digital Platforms, training needs.
Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU)
The AAOU webinar “Responding to COVID-19 to Remove Barriers: Access, Equity, and Inclusion” was held 6 October and discussed AAU members’ best practices in quality assurance and accreditation.
ASEAN University Network (AUN)
On 16 September 16, The Young SEAkers co-organised the inaugural ASEAN-China Youth Forum themed "Post-COVID-19 Opportunities and Insights from the Lenses of University Students in ASEAN and China”. Discussions addressed the role of higher education institutions and actions prioritizing the health of staff and students, the challenges of migrating learning methods into online formats, how the COVID-19 crisis can become an opportunity for students in terms of soft skills development, and the necessity to strengthen interregional cooperation efforts to prepare for the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.
The ASEAN University Network in partnership with De La Salle College of St. Benilde’s School of Diplomacy and Governance (DLS-CSB SDG), held the first part of the “Beyond SDG Webinar Series” on 10 September on the role of higher education institutions in ASEAN building through ASEAN Studies courses, the role of students in spreading awareness of what it means to be ASEAN, and the challenges that the AUN faces in promoting greater student mobility within the region.
The Universiti Malaya UM International Webinar Series gathered regional university associations to discuss their roles in strengthening cooperation between their members to advance the quality of education and research, specifically amid the COVID-19 global crisis.
European Commission
The European Commission released a new Communication on the European Education Area (EEA) on 30 September. It lays out a pathway to achieving the EEA by 2025. In higher education, the aim is to encourage joint curriculum development across universities in different countries, policy support for transnational cooperation via higher education alliances, a strong role for education institutions in supporting the recovery from COVID-19 and sustainable development, deeper faster international cooperation on studying abroad and a stronger focus on advanced digital skills.
Return to top BILATERAL INITIATIVES
Morocco - USA
Morocco’s Ministry of Education and the US Agency of International Development (USAID) has launched the Higher Education Partnership Program to strengthen Morocco’s teacher training system. The Ministry of Education announced in a statement that the programme has a budget of $5 million over a period of five years and that it aims to enhance the quality of primary education through the training of teachers.
Return to top NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Australia
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
Egypt
Ethiopia
France
Germany
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan 
Mozambique
Nigeria
Pakistan
Rwanda 
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Sweden United Kingdom The Ministry of Education has agreed to offer loans for computer equipment for non-teaching staff of National Universities.
Academic cheating services - new law
A new law passed on 26 August creates a new criminal offence of providing or advertising an academic cheating service on a commercial basis; and broadens the role of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) to include the prevention of the use of academic cheating services.Research and international education
The International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) and NAFSA have jointly published a Guide to Practitioner Research in International Education. It focuses on opportunities to combine research with professional practice in international education.Student welfare
Universities Australia has released Responding to Suicide: A toolkit for Australian Universities, a resource to assist universities.Student identifier
The Government is extending the Unique Student Identifier (USI) from vocational education and training to all higher education students. From 1 January 2021, new higher education students will need a USI to be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place and Commonwealth financial assistance and from 2023 all higher education students must have a USI to graduate.Quality reviews
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has released the report Independent Experts Engaged by Providers to assist providers on selecting an independent expert to conduct a review as part of their internal quality assurance processes.Academic staff - gender pay gap
Data from Statistics Canada show a continued pay gap between male and female professors at Canadian universities. This trend is across all universities in Canada except for three.Covid 19 - new measures in universities - Quebec
The Quebec Ministry of Education and Higher Education put in place new regulations in October to reinforce health measures against the pandemic. In higher education institutions, distance education wherever possible is recommended by the Ministry.The Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation has launched a call for applications for the Cupo Explora UNESCO, a special admission initiative for higher education in scientific fields. Deadline: 5 November
Postgraduate reforms
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has issued the document Opinions on Accelerating Postgraduate Education Reforms in the New Era laying out the overarching goal of building China into a postgraduate education powerhouse by 2035. It specifies the guiding principles, strategic objectives and major measures of the postgraduate education reforms with measures proposed in the field of: assessment, discipline adjustment and development, innovation, admission, basic research funding and key and core technologies.In order to continue making progress in the safety of sanitary conditions for the process of a gradual return to the universities, the government adopted the bio-security protocol for the provision of the educational service.
The "Study of the Character of the State University Student Population 2019" (Estudio de caracterización de la población estudiantil universitaria estatal 2019), presented by the National Council of Rectors (CONARE), shows that the main source of funding for most students enrolled in the first cycle at public universities is scholarships, followed by financial support from parents.
The government presented the higher education budget allocations to the the representatives of the University Student Federations of Ecuador. The budget for higher education institutions is comprised of resources for operations, and for enabling the institutions to provide fee-free education.
Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, announced the experimental launch of an electronic platform that will enable distance learning at the country’s universities. The new hybrid education system has been put in place nationwide for the new academic year.
Initiated by Samuel Urkato, the new minister of Science and Higher Education, the Higher Education and Relevance Quality Agency will undergo restructuring which is expected to enhance its autonomy and strengthen its regulatory mandate.
European Universities project
The French Rectors Association (Conférence des Présidents d’universités - CPU) has published the results of the second stage of the ‘European Universities’ project. The project was initiated in November 2019.Sustainable universities agreement
On 29 September, the French Rectors Association - CPU and the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles - CGE - signed an agreement to promote “Sustainable Campuses in Sustainable Cities”. The organisations committed to joint actions to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals.The German Academic Exchange Service, DAAD, has requested the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resume visa application procedures for students from third countries, subsequent to the closure of German Embassies and visa centres.
The European Court of Justice ruled on 6 October that Hungary’s law on higher education breached EU law. Provisions in the Hungarian law on higher education, which was amended in 2017, affect how foreign universities operate in the country. The law notably led to the relocation of Central European University, an IAU Member, out of the country.
Funding
The Irish Universities Association (IUA) has set out details of its funding requirements in a pre-Budget submission, which says the sector is facing a combined deficit of €200m next year.University places
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has announced that up to 1,000 more university places may be needed in addition to approximately 6,300 new ones already created this year due to computer coding errors in grades awarded for students’ Leaving Certificates this year.Academic staff ethnic diversity
The Higher Education Authority has announced that it will be compulsory for higher education institutions to provide an annual breakdown of the ethnic diversity among Irish academia from December this year.In September, the Italian Rectors’ Association (Conferenza dei Rettori) appointed a new Secretary-General, Francesco Adornato.
MEXT has published a brochure providing an overview of its initiatives against the COVID-19 pandemic in the field of education. At higher education level they cover the start of classes and promoting the use of distance learning, international student exchanges and scholarships, financial support for students adversely affected.
The Kazakh Ministry of Education and Science has announced that Kazakh university qualifications have started to meet the standards of the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Kazakh students will receive a Diploma Supplement that corresponds to European qualifications starting in 2021.
The World Bank has approved a $104 million in support of skills development programmes for Higher Education (HE) subsystems and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), a member of IAU, has been working with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) on a draft IP policy for the country’s universities as they aim to create a credible copyright culture in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
As Universities were all set to gradual resumption of operations from mid September, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has posted a Strategy for Gradual Reopening of HEIs. The document outlines a reopening plan that draws on strategies adopted by universities worldwide
The Minister for Education, Dr Valentine Uwamariya, has announced that Rwandan universities and higher education institutions will reopen in mid-October, putting an end to the seven-month closure due to the pandemic.
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has announced that International Students will need to be tested for Covid-19 and quarantined for 10 days when returning to South Africa.
Admissions to state university medical faculties have been increased by 350 reaching the highest enrolment level in history. The aim of this decision is to give more opportunities to the students while increasing the number of future doctors for the country.
Data from the Swedish Council of Higher Education shows that there has been a 13% increase in international student admissions to Swedish universities. The number of international admissions has risen to 27,329 in 2020-21, up from 24,099 in 2019-20.
New Higher Education Code of Governance
The Committee of University Chairs (CUC) has just published new guidance - The Higher Education Code of Governance, which reflects the changing landscape of HE in the UK.Covid guidance for universities
The Department for Education has updated its guidance for universities to help universities make campuses as safe as possible for students and staff as part of their wider COVID-secure measures.Lifelong learning
The Prime Minister has announced that all adults will be provided with a fully-funded level 3 course and a lifelong learning entitlement for four years of post-18 education.Student welfare - Scotland
Universities Scotland have confirmed that higher education institutions in Scotland have implemented a package of ten measures they are using to support student wellbeing during the current pandemic.Return to top IAU Lynx September Edition
IAU Lynx July Edition
IAU Lynx June EditionIAU Lynx coordinator: Amanda Sudic
Collaborating team: Nicholas Poulton, Samuel Pousson, Carine Sebast and Lianne Guerra
Contact: [email protected]
© IAU 2020 -
IAU Lynx September 2020 KEEPING AN EYE ON HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENTS WORLDWIDE
September 2020
IAU Lynx offers a monthly overview of higher education developments around the world. It covers new policies, initiatives and projects on various higher education topics. The information is classified by international, regional, bilateral and national initiatives.
INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
United Nations Secretary General
The UN Secretary-General’s Policy Brief ‘Education in the time of COVID-19 and beyond’ was launched in August. It warns that the pandemic has created severe disruption in the world’s education systems which may stretch beyond one generation of students. It also refers to the IAU’s report ’IAU Global Survey on the Impact of COVID-19 on Higher Education around the world’. The Brief calls for national authorities and the international community to come together to place education at the forefront of recovery agendas and protect investment in education.
UNESCO/Norway
Norway is the first country to ratify the UNESCO Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education - adopted last November at UNESCO’s General Conference. Its aim is to facilitate international academic exchange and promote the rights of individuals to have their foreign qualifications or study periods evaluated through fair, transparent and non-discriminatory mechanisms.
UNESCO Almaty
UNESCO organised the first of a series of online training sessions on distance learning solutions for Central Asian countries to help improve three priority areas: improving the use of digital educational platforms; developing high-quality digital content; and developing teachers’ competencies for effective use of distance and online learning methods. The recording of the first training session is available.
UNESCO/Gulf Region
UNESCO and the Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU) in Saudi Arabia signed an innovative Futures Literacy Partnership Agreement, to develop Futures Literacy at PMU and in the Gulf region.UNESCO - International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)
Call for applications to join the first IIEP-UNESCO Dakar University on gender-responsive educational planning. Organised within the framework of the "Gender at the Centre" initiative, this free training course will take place in two phases: online (2-27 November) and in person in Dakar (7-11 December), if the health situation permits.
Deadline: 13 SeptemberUNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC)
IESALC has posted a video recording (in Spanish) of the 11th session of the « No dejar a nadie atrás en tiempos de la pandemia COVID-19 » (Leave no one behind during the COVID-19 pandemic) webinar series meant to support universities and education ministries to implement solutions to the crisis.
UNESCO IESALC took part in the virtual Meeting "The Latin American University in a Post-Pandemic Process” webinar organized by the Federación de Sindicatos de Docentes Universitarios de América del Sur FESIDUAS. Participants analyzed impacts of the pandemics, policy responses and recommendations and the six main «macro-trends» being experienced in the face of the COVID-19 global health crisis were presented.
IESALC was selected to support the Ministry of Education’s (Minedu) programme for the educational continuity of 13 of Peru’s 52 public universities.
The director of UNESCO IESALC has contributed a research paper entitled “Applications of Artificial Intelligence to higher education: possibilities, evidence, and challenges” to the current issue of IUL Research, Vol. 1 No. 1 (2020): ’The conditions and results of innovation of educational models’.
The UNESCO-Africa-China High-Level Dialogue for Supporting Priority Africa in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID Context was held on June 24th to exchange and share experiences and good practices against the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, and explore practical measures to support Africa in this backdrop. The UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (ICHEI) and the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) project will assist digitalisation and sustainable development of African higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the post-pandemic era.
UNESCO Bangkok
New Guidelines on implementing qualifications frameworks in Asia and the Pacific for educational studies and cultural heritage management have been released. Its aim is to provide a reference document for Member States to operationalise their national qualifications frameworks at subject and programme levels.
World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED)
WAHED 2020 - the global day of action focusing on increasing access and participation in higher education for those from low income and other marginalised groups - will take place on 17 November. A launch event entitled "Prioritising equitable access and success after the pandemic » was held in July to outline how COVID-19 is affecting equitable access and success to HE and what can be done about it. Recordings are available here.
Return to top REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Africa - Asia & Pacific - Europe
West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN)
Call for Volunteers - Women-in-WACRENThe WACREN is seeking collaborators from the National Research and Education Network (NREN) community for the implementation of its Women-in-WACREN programme. The initiative has developed a community of women in African NRENs promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) curricula and showcasing the opportunities with diversity and inclusion. Closing date: 25 September.
climapAfrica - Climate change research alumni and postdocs in Africa
Postdoc fellowshipsThe DAAD climapAfrica programme aims to foster application-oriented research results to tackle climate change in southern and western Africa. The program funds postdoctoral research projects and offers a platform for collaboration in thematic working groups composed of postdoctoral fellows and African alumni of German funding initiatives with expertise in the field of climate research. Closing date 14 September 2020.
ASEAN / Korea
ASEAN and the Republic of Korea launched the Higher Education for ASEAN Talents (HEAT) Scholarship Programme in July. The 3-year full scholarship, which aims to help ASEAN faculty Members pursue their doctoral degree in ROK, is expected to enhance the regional expertise in Higher Education and to promote bilateral academic mobility.
Asean University Network (AUN):
Quality assurance for online and distance learning was the focus of the SHARE Policy Dialogue Webinar Series on ’Looking Ahead to an ASEAN Higher Education Space’ hosted by the European Union Support to the Higher Education in the ASEAN Region (SHARE) Programme, in June. The quality assurance framework for online learning and teaching in the context of the AUN-QA framework was shared and quality indicators were introduced. To watch the recording, click here.ASEAN University Network (AUN)/ Philippines Commission of Higher Education
A webinar themed ’Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN 2020: Strengthening Educational Collaboration Among ASEAN Higher Education Institutions During the COVID-19 Pandemic’ took place on 12 August. Heads of AUN member universities shared how their respective institutions have responded to the pandemic in terms of providing quality education. Topics addressed during sessions included: approach towards learning continuation; higher education cooperation amidst the pandemic; research and human resource education for readiness to face technological development; structured-blended and student-centered learning. Video recordings are available of the morning session and the afternoon session.
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
The research paper Urban Agglomeration and Firm Innovation: Evidence from Asia released by ADB presents evidence on the spatial distribution and effects of urban agglomeration on firm innovation using data from 25 developing countries in Asia. It shows that knowledge spillovers are an important channel through which agglomeration effects occur and found a significant and positive effect of university presence on firm innovation.
European Commission
Proposed budget cuts - Rectors’ statement
National rectors conferences have published a joint statement subsequent to the European Commission’s proposal to vastly reduce the budget for higher education, research and innovation. Over 20 organisations have signed a statement asking for the Council to review its decision.
INSET - Community engagement
The European Commission INSET programme has published ‘Community Engagement in Higher Education: Trends, Practices and Policies’. This report argues (based on a comprehensive review of the literature) that universities play a crucial role in responding to societal needs, and can further enhance their societal impact at local, national and international levels through community engagement. It includes information on the impact of Covid-19 on universities’ community engagement, highlighting the IAU report on this issue.
E4 Group
The E4 Group (EUA, ENQA, EURASHE and ESU) has issued a joint statement reinforcing the relevance of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG). The statement, “The ESG in the changing landscape of higher education”, reinforces the purpose and focus of quality assurance and the ESG.
https://eua.eu/downloads/publications/e4_statement_the_esg_in_the_changing_landscape_of_higher_education.pdfCenter for Studies in Higher Education
The Center for Studies in Higher Education at UC Berkeley, USA, has published a report on Neo-Nationalism and Universities in Europe. This is examined in the context of globalisation and cross-border flows of students in the European Union.
Return to top BILATERAL INITIATIVES
Afghanistan - Uzbekistan
A cross-border initiative aimed at supporting the economic empowerment of Afghan women through education grants to study in Uzbekistan has been launched. The project aims to provide educational opportunities for Afghan women, who face disproportionate barriers to education and employment.
Philippines - USA
ThePhilippines Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Embassy of the United States of America signed on 24 August, a new CHED-Fulbright agreement to implement a scholarship programme to send Filipino higher education institution (HEI) personnel abroad to pursue graduate degree and non-degree thesis/dissertation programmes in American universities.
Return to top NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Australia China Egypt Germany Hungary
India Ireland
Nepal
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay South Africa Sri Lanka Sweden
Thailand 
United Arab Emirates United Kingdom 
United States 
Vietnam 
Zimbabwe Quality Assurance toolkit
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has released a Toolkit to support support higher education quality assurance agencies around the world to promote, develop and sustain cultures of academic integrity. It includes good practice advice around academic integrity frameworks, contract cheating and supporting and sustaining cultures of academic integrity.Preventing and responding to sexual assault in HE
TEQSA has also released a new online resource to assist Australian higher education providers in preventing and responding to sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH). The Good Practice Note: Preventing and responding to sexual assault and sexual harassment in the Australian higher education sector features examples and practical advice for providers to support further improvements in policies, procedures and practices.Graduate employment
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) 2020 Graduate Outcomes Survey has been published. It measures the medium-term employment outcomes of higher education 2017 graduates. .Reform costs
The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre - an independent economic and social research organisation located within Curtin University – has released the paper Analysis of costs and savings of Proposed Reforms to Higher Education. It investigates the financial, behavioral and gender-related consequences of the Government’s recently announced Higher Education Reform Package for Australian universities.The 2018 National Report on Teaching Quality in Undergraduate Programs of Regular HEIs has been published by the Ministry of Education. It introduces new measures, experiences and outcomes achieved by HEIs in improving teaching quality in undergraduate programmes.
China’s Ministry of Education has issued an interim regulation on the naming of higher education institutions. Institutions in principle should not be titled with words including "China," "national," "international" and words which refer to regions.
On 1 September, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi annouced funding for the establishment of 10 new non-profit universities across Egypt, with their academic studies to focus on modern technological sciences and advanced scientific disciplines.
Germany’s government has announced that international students going to Germany this semester to follow only online courses will not be eligible for visas, due to the current Coronavirus situation.
The Hungarian Rectors’ Conference has elected as its new President László Borhy, rector of Eötvös Loránd University.
The management of Hungary’s University of Theatre and Film Arts resigned at the end of August in protest over the imposition of a government-appointed board which they say will undermine the university’s autonomy. A law passed by parliament earlier this year transferred the ownership of the state-run university to a private foundation.The university’s senate said it had been deprived of its right to decide on budgetary, organisational and personnel issues.
National Education Policy 2020 released
The National Education Policy 2020 has been approved by the Cabinet and released. This comprehensive framework plans higher education system reforms in quality; institutional restructuring and consolidation; learning environments and support for students; equity and inclusion; teacher education; vocational education; academic research; and the regulatory system of higher education.The Ministry of Human Resources and the University Grants Commission (UGC) held a meeting on “Conclave on Transformational Reforms in Higher Education under National Education Policy 2020“ to discuss aspects of education covered under the National Education Policy, 2020.The Prime Minister of India delivered the Inaugural Address of this event.The event can be viewed here. The Guidelines for Higher Education Institutions to offer Apprenticeship/Internship embedded Degree Programme was also launched at this event.
COVID-19 response toolkit
The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) published the ’COVID-19 response Toolkit for Indian Higher Education Institutions: Institutional Resilience for Academic Planning and Continuity’. It is devised to serve as a guiding document and contains plans and recommendations for Indian Higher Education Institutions during COVID-19..Indian Association of Universities (AIU) survey
The Indian Association of Universities (AIU) is conducting a survey that aims to gather information from university presidents and senior leaders on plans and perspectives at on the start of the new academic year (2020/2021), as well as challenges and opportunities in the future (2021 and beyond).Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), has released a report entitled A QQI Evaluation of the Impact of the COVID-19 Modifications to Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Further Education and Training (FET) and Higher Education (HE) in Ireland. The report provides an analysis of experiences reported by institutions in how they adapted their teaching and the measures they put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued the Guidelines for Facilitating Alternative Mode of Learning in Higher Education as part of an initiative to address the unprecedented impact of COVUID-19 on regular academic activities of universities and higher education institutions.
The Government has released a long-term strategic recovery plan, backed by a $51.6 million investment from the COVID recovery and response fund to help reset New Zealand’s international education sector. Its three phases include : stabilising the international education sector, strengthening the system by ensuring the regulatory settings, policies and practices to support the recovery and rebuild, and accelerating the transformation of the sector.
On 28 August, the parliament passed eight Bills on the development of higher education reform – including the Higher and Technical Education Reform Bill 2020. They are expected to increase the number of enrolments and improve the quality of graduates in HEIs that meet industry demands and needs.
The meeting for the International Forum of the Council of Rectors of Universities of Paraguay was held on 26 June, with the participation of officials and members of the university community, to discuss and present the different views, opinions and readings on the impact caused by the pandemic. Topics addressed included: interaction with our students, distance higher education, higher education transformation and improvement, the role of universities as an agent of change, in public policies, and to foster sustainability and development.
Information Code of conduct for universities
Universities South Africa compiled a Code of Conduct for the sector, which the USAf Board has since adopted for application in order to prepare and enable its member institutions to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).Women in Leadership programme
26 women representing South Africa’s 17 public universities will converge online from September, for the commencement of a six-month long Women in Leadership programme. This intervention is being driven under the auspices of IAU Member Universities South Africa Higher Education and Leadership (HELM) programme in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), British Council, Advance HE and the University of Bath, UK.The name of the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology & Innovation was changed to the Ministry of Education in August.
University entrance exams cancelled
The Council for Higher Education has announced the cancellation of university entrance exams, known as the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test (SweSAT), this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision follows a call by 21 presidents of universities and higher-education colleges to cancel the entrance examinations this year.Digital transformation
Following a recently released report entitled “Connected education”, which looks at digitalisation in higher education in Sweden, the Secretary-General of the International Council for Distance Education (ICDE) was invited as speaker and panelist during a webinar on 25 August in order to share international experiences relating to findings and recommendations from the report.The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand and the Thailand Cyber University (TCU) held the International e-Learning Conference themed ’Disruptive Ecology: New Normal of Education in Post COVID-19’, on 31 July. Keynote presentations addressed the rise of Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) and how education is changing in the time of COVID-19.
The UAE Ministry of Education and the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education have launched the University Consortium for Quality Online Learning, UCQOL, a new initiative that aims to support select UAE universities in developing accredited online university programmes and launch them by 2022.
COVID-19 - Student safety
Universities UK has released three briefings and recordings of webinars on Covid-19: Safety, Health and Wellbeing for Students and Staff: for healthcare students; for disabled students; and for Estranged and care-experienced students.With universities due to reopen for face to face teaching, the University and College Union (UCU), which represents lecturers and teachers, has said that the government is “encouraging a public health crisis” and has called for the government to tell universities to move all teaching online for the time being.
Universities Scotland has provided evidence to update the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee Committee on the impact of COVID-19 on the university sector.
The evidence covers: the implications of the SQA examination cycle; international student enrolment; the financial impact the sector is facing; support received from the Scottish and UK Governments; the steps the sector is taking for the start of the new academic year; the SFC’s review of Sustainable and Coherent Provision and supporting student mental health.The Center for Studies in Higher Education at UC Berkeley, USA, has published areport on Artificial Intelligence & Higher Education: Towards Customized Teaching and Learning, and Skills for an AI World of Work.
The Vietnam National University-Hanoi has launched University Performance Metrics (UPM), a nationally developed higher education institutions comparative ranking system. It provides a university benchmarking framework that evaluates third generation universities and how well they have adapted to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Universities were unable to complete the 2019/2020 academic year by the end of August deadline set by Government, due to an increase in Covid-19 cases in July.
Return to top IAU Lynx July Edition
IAU Lynx June Edition
IAU Lynx May EditionIAU Lynx coordinator: Amanda Sudic
Collaborating team: Nicholas Poulton, Samuel Pousson and Carine Sebast
Contact: [email protected]
© IAU 2020 -
IAU Lynx April 2020IAU Lynx April 2020KEEPING AN EYE ON HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENTS WORLDWIDE
April 2020
IAU Lynx offers a monthly overview of higher education developments around the world. It covers new policies, initiatives and projects on various higher education topics. The information is classified by international, regional, bilateral and national initiatives.
INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
UNESCO has launched a portal on COVID-19 Educational Disruption and Response to provide immediate support to countries as they work to minimize the educational disruption and facilitate the continuity of learning, especially for the most vulnerable.
UNESCO has shared 10 recommendations to plan distance learning solutions and ensure that learning remains uninterrupted during the COVID-19 outbreak.
UNESCO has posted :
a selection ofnational distance education platforms - classified by country - designed to support the continuity of curriculum-based study. a list of educational applications, platforms and resourceshttps://en.unesco.org/themes/educat... to help parents, teachers, schools and school administrators facilitate student learning and provide social care and interaction during periods of school closure. Most of them are free and many cater to multiple languages.The Thailand UNESCO Country Strategy 2020-2021 presents UNESCO’s strategic framework for engagement with the Thai Government, other UN entities, development partners, universities, schools, and civil society organizations to respond most effectively to Thailand’s expressed development needs, priorities and aspirations. Its two pillars are : Promoting the Internationalization of Higher Education in Thailand; and Strengthening Social Sciences in Thailand.
UNESCO has launched a call for nominations for the 2020 UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education, which awards US$ 50,000 annually to two laureates making outstanding efforts in favour of girls’ and women’s education. Deadline for submissions is 26 May 2020.
UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE)
IITE has released a Handbook on Facilitating Flexible Learning During Educational Disruption: The Chinese Experience in Maintaining Undisrupted Learning in COVID-19 Outbreak. It describes several flexible online learning strategies implemented during the COVID-19 outbreak. Six dimensions are covered : infrastructure; learning tools ; learning resources; teaching and learning methods; services for teachers and students; and cooperation between government, enterprises, and schools.
UNESCO IITE, in cooperation with its global partners, has launched a new online Platform/Initiative on “Combating COVID-19: Together we are on the move!”where international expertise, practice and resources related to education will be presented. The goal is to provide online communication platform for education policy makers, teachers, students and experts in education and ICT to share knowledge and experience in responding to the emergency by providing best practices, recommendations and technical support.
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)/UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) :
In order to exchange solutions, discuss contingency plans and share distance-learning approaches, members of the UNESCO GNLC convenes webinars organized by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL). Non-member cities are also invited to join the online events, share their experiences and learn from other cities.UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)
In the wake of the release of the paper on SDG 4 - Policies for Flexible Learning Pathways in Higher Education: Taking Stock of Good Practices Internationally, UNESCO IIEP has posted a brief interview of its author and expert, Michaela Martin, who discusses the future of higher education, changes in course taking and credential obtention, global benefits to greater flexibility, Institutions’ adaptation, and policy-makers and planners’ role.UNESCO Almaty Office
UNESCO Almaty Office has released the report Ensuring lifelong learning for all in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Country Evidence and Policy Recommendations. It discusses the context of lifelong learning in Central Asia, current policies and practices, the quality of education from a lifelong learning perspective and policy recommendations to ensure lifelong learning for all in Central Asia.
Agence universitaire de la francophonie (AUF)
The AUF has made available to it’s member universities a platform for distance teaching and learning.
Educause
EDUCAUSE has released the 2020 Horizon Report: Teaching and Learning Edition. This report profiles key trends and emerging technologies and practices shaping the future of teaching and learning and envisions a number of scenarios and implications for that future. It is based on the perspectives and expertise of a global panel of leaders from across the higher education landscape.
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
OECD has released the report Strengthening the Governance of Skills Systems: Lessons from Six OECD Countries. It provides advice on how to make the governance of skills systems effective in Estonia, Germany, Korea, Norway, Portugal, and the United States.
Guni
Guni has published an article on The Higher Education Institutions’ Environmental Engagement in Colombia.
The aim of this article is to present an updated overview of the progress achieved by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Colombia in the institutionalization of environmental engagement.Return to top REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Africa - Americas - Asia - Europe
Association of African Universities
The AAU has made available a resource page to help higher education institutions plan for possible campus disruption by COVID-19In the wake of closures that took effect on 20 March, a number of universities and higher education institutions in East Africa are revitalising existing e-learning platforms, while others are tentatively migrating into uncharted territory.
UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC)
UNESCO IESALC has posted the results of research on the presence of women in higher education in the Latin American region, specifically in teaching and administrative positions and as leaders in public universities. They indicate that in the 9 sampled countries - Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Venezuela - only 18% of the public universities have female rectors.
In a presentation given at the Ist International Higher Education Forum: Higher Education for the XXI Century ("Foro Internacional de Educación Superior: Educación Superior Siglo XXI") held 11-12 March at the Franz Tamayo University campus (UNIFRANZ), Bolivia, UNESCO-IESALC identified the eight most pressing challenges in reshaping Latin American and Caribbean education by 2030 as: Access; Quality assurance; Demographics; Financing; Internationalization; Research and innovation; ratification of the new convention for the recognition of studies; Achieving the 17 SDGs.
The call for contributions to the thematic dossier Vol. 33, N°2 (July-December 2020) of the Journal of Higher Education and Society (ESS) is open until 31 July. The theme is the “Contribution of Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean to the ODS: experiences and practices from their academic functions”.
UNESCO IESALC has published an article on the internationalization of higher education and the need for measurement criteria.
Organization of American States (OAS): The call is open to institutions to incorporate their online courses into the Educational Portal of the Americas.
http://portal.portaleducoas.org/es/noticias/llamado-instituciones-incorporar-sus-cursos-en-l-nea-al-portal-educativo-las-am-ricasAsociación Universitaria Iberoamericana de Posgrado (AUIP)
The call for applicants from the Universidad del Azuay (Ecuador) and the Universidad Católica de Cuenca (Ecuador) and persons from other Latin American institutions associated with the AUIP to carry out a doctoral thesis at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide (Seville, Spain), within the Doctorate Program in Business Administration and Management, is now open. The application deadline is 4 May
ASEAN University Network (AUN)
ASEAN University Network (AUN) is launching an ASEAN Master Program in Sustainability Management together with Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, and University of Agder, Norway. Set to be taught as of January 2021. Grants covering the full study, living and travel costs are offered for 40 students from ASEAN countries. Deadline for application is 15 May.
The European University Association (EUA)
The EUA has stated their support for European universities in the context of the COVID-19 crisis and has invited universities to share their experiences of online learning and other solutions at #UniversitiesAtHome
European Association for International Education (EAIE)
EAIE has released a research and trends report on higher education institutions’ response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Return to top NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Argentina Bahamas Belgium Bhutan Brazil Canada Cuba Chile Colombia Costa Rica Denmark Ecuador Estonia France Ghana India Ireland Macao Malaysia Mexico Myanmar Netherlands Norway New Zealand Pakistan Philippines Poland Portugal Singapore Spain South Africa Taiwan Turkey United Kingdom United States Zimbabwe The Council of Rectors of Private Universities (Consejo de Rectores de Universidades Privadas, in Spanish) of Argentina issued a statement expressing its support to the Ministries of Education and Health, and the National Government in general. It states that the capacities of the universities are at the disposal of the national executive power to contribute to the search for effective solutions against COVID-19.
The Ministry of Education has made available to students a virtual learning portal due to the closure of schools in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Flemish university colleges are planning the possibility to begin "limited contact teaching" as of 18 May, but only for "educational activities of primary importance." During these "limited contact" courses, strict conditions such as social distancing will have to be respected.
The Ministry of Education has ordered the closure of all colleges and universites for a two-week period to fight the propagation of the COVID-19 epidemic. Students are invited to go back home, except international students due to transnational travel restrictions.
The National Council of Education Secretaries (CONSED) issued a note to the press, in which it reinforces the need to maintain the suspension of classroom attendance in order to preserve the lives of students, teachers and those around them, especially the elderly and those with chronic diseases.
On March 18, the Ministry of Education published Ordinance No. 343, which authorizes "on an exceptional basis" the replacement of in-person classes with Distance and online classes that use technology and remote communication in courses that were already underway.
New measures in support of student loan borrowers have been announced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. According to the prime minister’s statement, borrowers will receive a six month interest free moratorium for all student loan repayments. The proposal is in response to the on-going Covid-19 outbreak.
The Government is providing full scholarships to Barbadian students in the academic year 2020-2021 to pursue either undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in Cuba in the following disciplines: Medicine, Dentistry, Nursery, Postgraduate courses. Application forms and relevant documents should be submitted to the Barbados Tertiary Section of The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training by 17 April.
The Ministry of Education published an action protocol for higher education institutions to act on the COVID-19 crisis.
With the aim of promoting the professional development of educators and teachers remotely, the Ministry of Education, through the Center for Educational Improvement, Experimentation and Research (CPEIP), has opened new calls for courses completely free and distance (online). The training courses offered will include courses for teachers of different levels and disciplines.
The Fund for the Development of Higher Education (FODESEP) and the Colombian Association of Universities (ASCUN), presented, on 12 March, the MOOC “Management of Higher Education Institutions”. The course, which will last 30 hours, aims to identify the changes that generate global impact and create tension in education and institutions, as well as to interpret the missions of Higher Education in the face of the needs and requirements of students in the 21st century.
The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) offers a series of free virtual courses and webinars to teachers, as part of the national “Aprendo en casa” (I learn at home) strategy. These support resources are aimed at teachers in the public education system.
On 11 March, Denmark’s Prime Minister announced that the country will close all kindergartens, schools and universities for two weeks to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The Council of Higher Education of Ecuador issued a statement on March 16, 2020 to suspend the all deadlines and terms established in the regulations and resolutions while the state of health emergency lasts.
The Secretariat of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (Senescyt) promoted the creation of a COVID-19 University Emergency Commission. The universities are expected to form an integral part of the National Committee for Emergency Operations, providing technical and scientific advice. The Commission will maintain constant communication with the actors of the Higher Education System, channeling the efforts and coordinating together the requirements of the country.
On 25 March, it was reported that if the emergency situation caused by the coronavirus outbreak is extended, Estonian universities are ready to postpone graduations and thesis presentations to August. If secondary school final exams are cancelled, students will still get a chance to apply to universities.
On 12 March, President Macron announced the Closure of schools and universities in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.
The Government is seeking the approval of Parliament to create a new regime for the regulatory bodies in the country. Known as the Education Regulatory Bodies bill, the legislation combines the existing National Council for Tertiary Education and the National Accreditation Board into a body known as the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission. The Bill merges other Bodies in the Education regulation in technical, vocational and supervision aspects of the sector.
The Ministry of Education has started the implementation of virtual learning programmes to enable students have access to learning resources while at home in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 24 March, the Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, said the learning programmes would be rolled out on all mediums — radio, television and onlineIn line with governmental guidelines on COVID-19, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has issued a notification to all higher education institutions requesting them to shut down until 4 April.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Development (MHRD) :
has decided to reschedule all ongoing examinations and ll evaluation work 2020 and specified precautions to be taken by all educational institutions and examination boards in light of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) insisting on communication with students and teachers through electronic means. During the lockdown, the MHRD is promoting digital learning in the context of COVID-19 and listed key Digital / e-Learning Platforms it provides for online education, including higher education.The Association of Indian Universities, an IAU Member, has created a platform for Indian Universities to share the e-content, approaches and strategies adopted by them for delivery of online content.
On 12 March, Ireland acting Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announced the closure of schools, universities and childcare facilities in response to the spread of the coronavirus.
Face-to-face end of year exams have been cancelled at the country’s higher education institutions in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Students will be asked to self-certify that they are complying with the rules in online assessments and tests that will in many instances replace the exams.
The Higher Education Bureau has issued Guidelines on Class Resumption for Higher Education Institutions in Macao
To help them coordinate the schedules for class resumption, and deal with arrangements prior and after class resumption as well as internal and external activities.The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) has recommended all Public Universities (UA) to extend the period to resume the second semester for the 2019/2020 academic calendar beginning April 27, and latest by June 1.
The National Association of Universities and Higher Education Institutions (ANUIES) announces the ANUIES 2020 Award, which recognizes the work of those who contribute to the development of higher education in the country. The call and registration of candidates will be open until June 7, 2020.
University examinations have been suspended at all universities due to Covid-19 cases now officially present in Myanmar.
https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/all-universities-suspend-exams-due-covid-19-confirmed-casesThe Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) has published information on the impact of COVID-19 on universities. Measures taken includes the government decision on 12 March to close universities and transfer to online education; and the extension to students’ degree programme evaluation.
On 12 March, Prime Minister Erna Solberg announced that all schools and universities would close in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
With the move to COVID-19 alert level 4,the Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) have accordingly released guidelines for all higher education institutions on dealing with students, staff and institutional services.
Higher education insitutions are encouraged to shift to online delivery via email, or online platforms if they have that capability. Alternative arrangements are suggested.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has advised all universities and degree awarding institutions (public and private) to suspend academic operations and close down until April 5, 2020. They are advised to follow the HEC Policy for COVID-19.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has developed a databank of online courses available at the national and international level and shared it with universities, while the university faculty has also been asked to prepare virtual courses for dissemination to students.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has issued Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and Mitigation of the Spread of the 2019-Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease in Higher Education Institutions that provides information and guidance of all HEIs and CHED offices. Awareness is raised on news and information trustworthiness and it recommends prevention and control measures, the setting up of screening protocols, the postponement of group activities, and approaches to traveling.
All Polish schools have closed to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said. Morawiecki added that also universities, museums and cinemas will be closed.
Many universities,including the University of the Lisbon, have suspended classes for an indeterminate period.
The Ministry of Education has encouraged Singaporean students studying overseas to consider returning home as soon as they can and to observe a number of safety measures. Flights are facilitated by the government.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has decided to suspend all official overseas placements and has posted information on arrangements to prevent the possible loss of credits earned during student exchanges or placements.
On 9 March, Madrid and Basque Country closed schools, colleges and universities due to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Minister for Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, announce the establishment of a Covid-19 team comprising Universities South Africa (Usaf), South African College Principals Organisation (Sacpo), and higher health and health experts, to co-ordinate the sector’s response and collate institutional case management reports of COVID-19 cases at higher education institutions.
The Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET) is calling forparticipation in the 2020 Study in Taiwan Online Survey aimed at collecting opinions and experiences from international students studying in Taiwan to improve the experience of future international students..
Deadline 15 April 2020The Council of Higher Education (Yok) has posted measures to be taken in Higher Education Institutions about COVID-19 covering the following aspects : Travel and International Meetings; Meetings with international participation ; and measures to be taken against discrimination.
Universities UK has released Coronavirus (COVID-19) - information for universities to assist universities in their response to COVID-19.
Universities UK has also responded to the Government’s announcement on nursing students and allied health profession students being asked to start work in the health service ahead of their graduation. They support the initiative and said that universities will do everything they can to support these health students.
The Russell Group of universities has called for emergency research funds to cover the cost of disruption to science and research caused by COVID-19.
On 19 March, more than 10 associations that represent a wide swath of U.S. higher education, including the American Council on Education (ACE), released a list of actions by the federal government they said were necessary to help students and colleges.
The Institute of International Education (IIE) has released a survey which shows the effects that travel restrictions related to the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) are having on international student mobility, U.S. study abroad programs, and international student recruitment for the fall 2020 semester. More than 230 U.S. higher education institutions responded to this survey, which was conducted from February 13-26, 2020
https://www.iie.org/en/Why-IIE/Announcements/2020/03/IIE-Releases-Survey-on-Effects-of-COVID-19-on-International-Students-and-Study-AbroadThe American Council on Education has recorded a series of webinars related to the impact of COVID-19. They include a variety of topics surrounding finance in the higher education system. These webinars are available in the Engage library on the ACE website.
US President Donald Trump signed the $2 trillion CARES Act this month, allocating $14 billion in coronavirus stimulus funding to higher education. The money will be dispersed to support the shift to remote-learning platforms, grants to students and minorities, and to institutions directly impacted by the pandemic.
Higher education leaders have responded to a survey conducted by Hanover Research and Inside Higher Ed. The survey included questions about the actions being taken at institutions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 9 in 10 leaders say they are most concerned about the mental health of their students and employees following the crisis. Other concerns include; shifting to distance learning, accessibility to education, federal stimulus funding.
The government has disbursed at least $42 million under the National Venture Fund (NVF) to innovation hubs in tertiary institutions.
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PREVIOUS EDITIONSIAU Lynx March 2020
IAU Lynx February 2020
IAU Lynx December 2019IAU Lynx coordinator: Amanda Sudic
Collaborating team: Nicholas Poulton, Samuel Pousson, Carine Sébast, Samantha Grillo and Lianne Guerra Rondón
Contact: Amanda Sudic
© IAU 2020
IAU Lynx March 2020KEEPING AN EYE ON HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENTS WORLDWIDEMarch 2020
IAU Lynx offers a monthly overview of higher education developments around the world. It covers new policies, initiatives and projects on various higher education topics. The information is classified by international, regional, bilateral and national initiatives.
INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
UNESCO’s International Commission on the Futures of Education held its first meeting on 28-29 January in Paris to take stock of the global situation in education today and what can be predicted for 2050 and beyond. IAU sits on the Advisory Board of this project.
To accompany the International Commission, UNESCO published the electronic book ‘Humanistic Futures of Learning: Perspectives from UNESCO chairs and UNITWIN networks’ which highlights key dimensions to be considered in re-visioning and re-purposing education for the future. It calls for greater focus on the role of higher education in generating the knowledge and driving the innovation required to transform our world. The 5 laureates of the 22nd L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Awards have been announced. They were recognised for achievement in the field of life sciences. 15 Rising Talents, young women scientists from all over the world, were also recognised.The Workshop for the Implementation of Component 3 of the UNESCO-Shenzhen Funds-In-Trust Project on Strengthening Quality Assurance in Higher Education in Africa, was held from 18 to 20 February, in Dakar, Senegal. Discussions focused on the strengthening of continental networks in quality assurance, best practices in recognitions of qualifications, and the development of tools for mutual recognition of qualifications in Africa.
UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)
A new IIEP-UNESCO Working Paper entitled SDG 4 - Policies for Flexible Learning Pathways in Higher Education: Taking Stock of Good Practices Internationally tackles the growing issue of fragmented and hard-to-navigate higher education systems. It draws on country examples across different regions.UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
UIS has just updated its global database with recent country-level data to monitor progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal on education (SDG 4). Updates include indicators on learning outcomes, learning assessment, formal and non-formal education and also data on higher education for 20 countries.UNESCO Bangkok/UNICEF
As part of the 5-Year Progress Review of SDG4 in the Asia-Pacific, UNESCO Bangkok and UNICEF are gathering case studies from across the Asia-Pacific on good practices on SDG4 (Education 2030) implementation to be compiled in a database in the SDG4 regional portal as a major resource reference for countries and partners. Deadline for contributing is 30 April 2020.UNESCO Beirut
UNESCO Beirut and Damascus University organised a national workshop in Damascus on 5 - 6 February on “The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Achieving the SDGs”. Actions to support SDGs were discussed, including: UNESCO Chairs building process at universities; universities collaboration; knowledge sharing to build SDGs awareness; the incorporation of SDGs in university curricula, and the fostering of SDGs research. IAU was pleased to be represented by IAU Member Université Saint Joseph, Beirut.UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC)
The preliminary version - in Spanish only- of the report Contribution of Higher Education to the Sustainable Development Goals: Analytical Framework (2020) has been launched. The guidelines seek to encourage the study and commitment of higher education institutions with the SDGs, both through training and through research.IESALC posted a two-part video recording of the Webinar Non-university and technological higher education: diversification and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean, held on 30 January 2020. It addressed the contribution of the technological sector to the field of higher education, with a focus on equity, inclusion, bonding and accreditation.
UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA)
From 10 to 14 February, UNESCO IICBA organized a five-day training of trainers workshop in Dakar, Senegal for Higher Education on Peace and Resilience Building and Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) for Francophone Africa. Participants explored their understanding of violent extremism, driving factors, transformative pedagogy and 10 competencies for building resilience, the role of teachers for peace and resilience building and PVE; and key terms in assessment.UNESCO – Islamic Development Bank
A National Consultation Workshop on Strengthening Inclusive Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) System was organized in the framework of UNESCO- Islamic Development Bank project in STI policy in Tashkent on 18 February. It discussed the dynamics of the Science, Technology and Innovation STI System in Uzbekistan, as well as the challenges and opportunities in accelerating STI-driven development in the country. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
The OECD has just published a report entitled "A Territorial Approach to the Objectives of Sustainable Development". The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which define the global agenda for the coming decade to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all are addressed, in particular SDG 4, Quality of education.
Agence universitaire de la francophonie (AUF)
The official launching ceremony of the PURSEA project (Renovated University Management in Southeast Asia) took place on 26 February at the University of Hanoi, Vietnam. This project is one of the Erasmus + K2 projects aimed at strengthening the capacities of higher education institutions. It is funded by the European Commission for three years (2020-2023), and is co-coordinated by the University of Hanoi, Vietnam, and AUF. This project brings together 15 academic and research institutions from Asia-Pacific and Europe.
Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World
The call for applications for the 2020 Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World PhD Fellowship is now open. The fellowship is offered to women scientists from Science and Technology Lagging Countries to undertake PhD research in the natural, engineering and information technology sciences at a host institute in another country in the Global South. The programme is administered with funds provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) in partnership with host institutes throughout the developing world. The deadline for applications for this fellowship is 31 March 2020.
Return to top REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Africa - Americas - Arab States - Asia - Europe
Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme
The fourth call for proposals of the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme, funded by the European Union, has now been published. The deadline to submit proposals is 19 May 2020.
There will also be a web-streaming information session on 17 March 2020 to explain the opportunities offered by the Scheme.African Union
The official launch of the Pan African Virtual and E-University (PAVEU) took place recently in Yaounde, Cameroon. PAVEU is an African Union’s flagship project for addressing the Agenda 2063 need for accelerating development of human capital, science and technology and innovation through increasing access to higher education in Africa.
XXVII Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government
On the occasion of the XXVII Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, Ministers also endorsed UNESCO higher education agreements.UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC)/ Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI)
UNESCO-IESALC and OEI signed a collaboration agreement on 11 February in Havana, Cuba, to promote higher education in Latin America and collaborate in the construction of the Ibero-American Knowledge Space. Low academic and research mobility and the need to improve the quality of higher education are among the regional challenges to be addressed.Union of Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean (UDUAL)
The Executive Council of the Union of Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean (UDUAL) held its XCVI Regular Meeting at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica on 7 February. In this space, issues of relevance to higher education in the region were discussed and agreements were reached regarding actions to be implemented until 2022. Among the components of the work plan of this regional organization are academic mobility, the digital transformation 2030, teacher training, membership increase, ODS and governance of higher education institutions.
https://www.udual.org/principal/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Minuta-y-acuerdos-XCVI-Reuni%C3%B3n-Ordinaria-del-Consejo-Ejecutivo-UDUAL.pdfInter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE)
The University of Guadalajara in collaboration with the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE) published a book entitled: "Women in Ibero-American Universities: the search for the necessary work-family reconciliation". The book describes, from a gender perspective, the public policies of different governments in Latin America, as well as the institutional programmes that effect women professionally such as maternity rights, policies for the allocation of schedules, types of performance evaluation, among others.MENA Higher Education Leadership Forum
Organized by the Center for Learning Innovations and Customized Knowledge Solutions (CLICKS) and in partnership with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, the fourth edition of the “MENA Higher Education Leadership Forum” was held on February 25-27 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This event brought together more than 150 Presidents, deans, representatives of ministries and accreditation agencies, members of boards of directors and other actors from the higher education sector of the MENA region, around the theme “Higher Education in the Era of the Fourth & Future Industrial Revolutions: Challenges and Opportunities Educating for the Fourth and Future Industrial Revolutions”.Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)
In order to assist its members confronted to the Coronavirus emergency, APRU have put up a web page which includes links to members’ websites stating their policies and the actions they are taking in response.Asian Development Bank (ADB)
ADB has posted the paper entitled Attraction or Repulsion? Testing Coagglomeration of Innovation between Firms and University. It identifies the extent of how universities are attracted by firms in patents production. The findings are based on a large patent dataset from Shenzhen, the first innovation-led city in the People’s Republic of China.ASEAN University Network Secretary (AUN SEC)
The AUN Half year report (9 July 2019- 31 January 2020) reports on activities conducted in 5 Strategic areas: Advancement in curriculum and learning approaches; Quality enhancement with AUN-QA; Students’ skill enhancement cross-border exposure and experience; research and academic collaboration; University networking platforms.Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Applications are open for the APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (“ASPIRE”) 2020, the annual award which recognizes young scientists who have demonstrated a commitment to both excellence in scientific research and cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies. Malaysia, the host economy this year, has selected “Biodiversity for a Prosperous Economy” as the theme. Deadline for applications is 24 April 2020.Brexit
Higher education and research organisations from across Europe and the UK have released a statement calling on national governments and the European Commission to ensure a swift agreement on the UK’s full association to Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe before the end of 2020. The Statement is jointly published by The European University Association (EUA), 24 National University representative bodies including Universities UK, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and many other bodies.European Commission
The European Commission Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency has released ‘Mobility Scoreboard: Higher Education Background Report’. It provides updated information for the year 2018/19 for six indicators- on information and guidance, foreign language preparation, portability of grants and loans, participation of disadvantaged learners, recognition of learning outcomes and the automatic recognition of qualifications.The European Commission has published a report comparing inequality of opportunity in tertiary education in Europe. The results show that there are large across-country differences, with Nordic countries performing much better than Mediterranean and Eastern countries. A common feature to almost all countries analyzed is that parental education and parental occupation represent the most important circumstances in determining access to higher education. There is also evidence of a negative correlation between public expenditure for higher education and inequality of opportunity.
European University Association
The EUA has just released The Public Funding Observatory report 2019/20. It presents data showing public funding developments in Europe over the last decade. While university funding in Germany, Norway and Switzerland grew by more than 30 per cent and funding in Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden increased their funding for universities by over 20 per cent, Public investment in universities has declined since 2008 in Estonia, Spain, Italy, Serbia, Lithuania and Northern Ireland. The EUA has published a study on the implementation of International Credit Mobility towards disadvantaged students for the European Commission. Launched in 2015 under the Erasmus+ Programme, the International Credit Mobility (ICM) supports student and staff exchanges between Erasmus+ Programme and Partner Countries. The study focuses on outgoing ICM student mobility from 20 Partner Countries in the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership and South-Mediterranean. One of the main findings of the study is that, in ICM the focus on students from disadvantaged backgrounds is much weaker than that intended by the European Commission.The European University Continuing Education Network and the European E-Learning Institute
The European University Continuing Education Network and the European E-Learning Institute have released the Generation Data Toolkit. Its objective is to raise awareness about the increasing importance of smart data skills for current and future higher education students and provide knowledge about how to improve the teaching of smart data management.The Toolkit is primarily addressed to HE teachers and lecturers who teach management-related subjects but can be used also for technical disciplines having a management-related component. The document includes the results of the data skills survey carried out by the partners in the initial project phase to find out which are the current needed skills and deficits of teachers and students when it comes to data skillsBaltic University Programme
Call for applications
Baltic University Programme has launched a call for applications for its Mobility Grant for Young Researchers. Intended for researchers working with sustainable development from BUP member universities.
Deadline: 20 March 2020Return to top BILATERAL INITIATIVES
Colombia - Spain
The Colombian Institute for Educational Credit and Technical Studies Abroad (ICETEX) and the Carolina Foundation (Spain) are joining forces to award up to 50 scholarships to Colombian citizens to take in-depth professional training courses at the Complutense Summer School of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. The program has a duration of 75 teaching hours. The deadline for submitting applications is 10 March, Spanish time (UTC+1).
Mexico - Spain
ITESO-Jesuit University of Guadalajara (Mexico), in collaboration with the Ibero-American University Association for Postgraduate Studies (AUIP) (Spain), has opened a scholarship program to promote postgraduate studies and cooperation with Ibero-American universities. The program is aimed at people of non-Mexican nationality who are linked to non-Mexican higher education institutions associated with AUIP. The application deadline is 31 March, 2020.
Azerbaijan - USA
A Dual master’s degree programme is to be jointly offered by the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University and George Washington University within the framework of “The State Program for enhancing international competitiveness of the higher education system in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2019-2023”. To be taught in English for two years, it will aim at training of specialists in management of education.
Return to top NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Armenia
Australia
Azerbaijan
Belgium
Canada
China
Cuba
Dominican Republic
France
Germany
Ireland 
Italy
Macao 
Netherlands 
New Zealand 
Pakistan 
Papua New Guinea 
Philippines 
Singapore 
South Africa 
Spain 
Sweden 
Thailand United Kingdom 
United States of America 
Vietnam The Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Arayik Harutyunyan, has announced that the Armenian government has initiated legislative reforms of which the main goal of the reforms is the integration of higher education, science and research. The reforms include scholarships funded by the state budget will not be distributed among universities, but by academic field. Also, the number of university board councils will be limited to 12 members, six of whom will be representatives of universities, including one student. In addition, the mechanisms and requirements for transparency of the activities of universities have been identified.
Equity performance
Curtin University, the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education have conducted research on the feasibility of measuring and ranking higher education equity performance among Australian universities. Results are presented in a peer-reviewed article entitled Constructing a ranking of higher education institutions based on equity: is it possible or desirable? The study team explored a range of scenarios based on four domains: Access and Participation; First Year Experience, Progress during Higher Education, and Graduate Outcomes.Higher education workforce
The Australian Higher Education Industrial Association (AHEIA) has published the Transforming the Higher Education Workforce Report, analysing progress in Australian university workplace reform since early 2016. It focuses on three primary workforce dimensions: workforce capability, workforce structure and workforce engagement.Higher education quality - consultation
The Higher Education Standards Panel invites stakeholder comments on a consultation paper seeking feedback on the Panel’s draft amendments to the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015 legislative instrument, which are meant to improve the functioning of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standard Agency and clarify the categories of providers in Australia’s higher education sector. Deadline is 31 March.Indigenous strategy report
Universities Australia (UA) has released the second Indigenous Strategy Annual Report, that features updated data and examples of progress on commitments made by universities under the UA strategy to advance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation and success in higher education. It focuses on five key priority areas: Indigenous leadership; non-Indigenous leadership; engagement with Indigenous curriculum; Indigenous research strategies; and international mobility.Employer satisfaction survey
Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) has published the 2019 Employer Satisfaction Survey (ESS). The national survey provides information about the quality of education provided at Australian institutions, by asking supervisors to provide feedback about the generic skills, technical skills and work readiness of the graduates employed in their workplace.The Ministry of Education Azerbaijan has signed a Protocol of Intention with Elsevier to expand access of HEIs to international scientific databases, increase the number of international scientific publications; and ensure their compliance with international requirements.
On 24 and 25 February, representatives of higher education institutions of ARES, the Belgian higher education association and the Wallonie-Bruxelles Federation met with their counterparts in Cotonou, Benin to celebrate 25 years of partnership and to define future areas of cooperation.
The Canadian Bureau for International Education is implementing a two-part scholarship program. The Faculty Mobility Program will be offering grants to Canadian professors and researchers who wish to teach or conduct research in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Study in Canada Scholarship aims to support Canadian internationalization objectives by welcoming a cohort of students from diverse regions. These programs come after an increase in federal funding geared towards meeting the objectives of Canada’s International Education Strategy.
Universities response to coronavirus
With the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic, many universities across China have still not reopened and no date has been set for teaching to resume. Many institutions are putting in place ‘holding courses’ taught online. This is further to the government announcement postponing the start of the spring semester in Higher Education Institutions and HEIs have been asked to take various measures, including deploying online courses.The Open University of China (OUC) has mobilized its digital educational resources to support students at all education levels to continue studying at home, to publicize measures aimed at preventing the spread of the virus, and to meet the needs of diverse learners.
The Vice-Minister of Education announced special policies to help university graduates in Hubei province (provincial capital Wuhan) in enrolment into postgraduate studies as well as government-funded recruitment programs.
Academic research
Chinese authorities have released a guideline regulating the use of papers listed on the Science Citation Index (SCI) in institutions of higher education aimed at lessening reliance on published papers in the academic evaluation system.The 12th International Congress on Higher Education was held in Havana with the participation of regional and international organizations including the IAU - represented by IAU President Pam Fredman, academics and representatives of Latin American universities. Among the main topics discussed were the internationalization of education, future perspectives, the impact of science and technology, university and sustainable development, quality assessment and accreditation, and lifelong learning.
The Senate of the Dominican Republic has approved the draft of the Environmental Education and Communication Law. This law aims to include environmental education at the different levels, cycles, grades, modalities and stages of the Dominican school and higher education system, both public and private; as well as, inon-formal and informal learning, in order to seek environmental awareness throughout Dominican society.
Researchers
Frédérique Vidal, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation announced in February that from 2021-2022, researchers who also teach will benefit from more time to conduct their research.Coronavirus research funding
In February, Frédérique Vidal, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and Agnès Buzyn, Minister for Health, announced that the government was allocating an additional 2.5 million Euros for research on the coronavirus.Student access - review
The French government body the Cours de comptes has just published its review of the implementation of the 2018 law on student orientation and success which aims to increase student access and success. The review concludes that to date, the law has provided a first step in the transformation of access to higher education. 15 recommendations are provided in the review.
The French rectors association (Conférence des Présidents des Universités) has welcomed the report and the progress reported.An Open Access (OA) agreement dated 1 January 2020, provides OA publishing services and full access to Springer Nature journals to researchers and students from across the German research landscape. Through the agreement, authors affiliated with the 700+ German academic and research institutions which are part of Projekt DEAL, will be able to publish their accepted manuscripts immediate (gold) OA in both Springer Nature ‘hybrid’ and fully OA journals, with the relative costs managed centrally by their institutions.
Open access research
A consortium of public Irish higher education institutions and Elsevier, have agreed to the country’s first open access programme. The three-year agreement means Irish researchers from 19 institutions will have access to 2,500 journals published by Elsevier. The agreement also facilitates a transition to open access and enables Irish researchers to publish more than 70% of their research without having to pay an article publishing charge.Graduate employment
The Higher Education Authority has published a report analysing recent Graduates’ labour market earnings in their early careers with a particular focus on differences in earnings across four areas. These are degree subject, institution type, gender and socio-economic background.International scholarships
Call for applications
The Government of Ireland has issued the 2020 Call for the International Education Scholarships Programme. Under the initiative 60 scholarships will be provided for one year study at Bachelor, Master or PhD levels. The offer is open to students from non-EU/EEA countries for all fields of study.The Italian government announced on 4 March that all schools and universities are to close in Italy until mid-March due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The government has announced the suspension of teaching at higher education institutions due to the coronavirus Distance and online teaching activities is encouraged at HEIs, but campuses remain open for information purposes.
A Specialized Subsidy Scheme for Prevention and Response to Major Infectious Diseases has been launched, with the aim of encouraging the teaching and research personnel of Macao HEIs to use scientific research and improve Macao’s ability to deal with epidemic prevention education, regional governance and crisis response to major infectious diseases. The scheme is open for applications until 4 September 2020.
VSNU, the Dutch university association, has responded to the government commissioned report by the Royal Dutch Academy of Science entitled ‘Balance in the Science System’ and the recommendations it makes. The VSNU calls on the government to make the proposed investment of 1 billion Euros in the first flow of funds.
The Ministry of Education has posted information about coronavirus for higher education institutions and students, including international students.
Universities New Zealand (UNZ) has provided information on the travel restrictions for international as well as domestic students. Appropriate pages on university websites have been linked to their website and official updates are posted.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has released a Safety Message for the Academic Community in Pakistan as part of the public awareness campaign to combat the corona virus.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is granting 5000 Indigenous Scholarship for PhD students. Applications are invited from outstanding Pakistani/AJK nationals who intend to complete a PhD from Pakistani HEC Recognised Universities/Degree Awarding Institutions (DAIs). The Scholarships are being offered for the academic year 2020 in all disciplines. Deadline is 28 March.
The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology has announced the introduction of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) will fund those students who, for different reasons, may have not met the qualifying criteria for Tertiary Education Students Assistance Scheme (TESAS). They also announced a program of digitalisation that will ultimately see the introduction of i-Libraries to all HEIs
Commission on Higher Education - New Director
Atty. Cinderella Filipina S. Benitez-Jaro has been appointed as Executive Director of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).Indigenous students - funding
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has increased financial assistance to students belonging to indigenous peoples (IPs) in the province of Nueva Vizcaya. Additional benefits have been awarded to 150 members of IPs identified by village elders and communities in the region. The stipend is granted to qualified students who are currently enrolled in universities and colleges and whose family income is below P300,000 per year.Suspension of national/regional activities
In line with the latest advisory of the Department of Health on public events and gatherings to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease the Department of Education (DepEd) has ceased all major national and regional activities.The Ministry of Education is taking measures to enhance the pathways in the higher education landscape to better support individuals’ interests, aptitudes and learning needs.
The Ministry of Education has posted a parliament reply presenting the latest measures taken to prevent on sexual harassment at higher education institutions.
Statistics South Africa has recently published Education and Labour Market Outcomes in South Africa. The report looks at the levels of educational attainment from 2002 to 2018 across three generations. It shows that more millennials than Generation Xers in the Indian/Asian population group attended university, while fewer millennials in the other population groups attended university institutions compared to Generation Xers. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges were the most popular higher education institutions among black and coloured millennials, while universities were the top choice for whites and Indian/Asians.
University data
Crue Universidades Españolas presented the report “La Universidad Española en Cifras” (the Spanish University in Figures) based on data provided by 48 public and 19 private universities. The report is divided into seven topics: size of the Spanish university system, equal opportunities for access to university education, academic performance, crisis in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) studies, employability of university students, quality of research and position in international rankings and the contribution of the University to improving competitiveness and innovation.Ibero-American Congress on University Teaching - call for papers
The call for papers for the XI Ibero-American Congress on University Teaching to be held at the University of La Laguna is open. The theme is “The digital transformation of the university: teaching, management and research”. The congress will be held from 24-26 June 2020. The deadline for submission is 30 March.A report presenting guidelines on responsible internationalisation has been produced by the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT), together with KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the Karolinska Institute and Lund University. The paper identifies critical areas, such as the legal context; institutional autonomy; cultural, social and political context; and relationship building. These are areas in which countries can differ quite significantly and which frequently raise questions impacting on international collaboration.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), Thailand has released an Announcement on Vigilant Measures Against the Spread of Coronavirus in English, Thai and Chinese languages.
Brexit and UK universities
Universities UK response to UK-EU trade negotiations proposals in February underline that they regard it as essential that the UK continues to be part of the Horizon Europe Programme and Erasmus+ student mobility programme.Universities admissions
The Office for Students, the independent regulator for higher education in England, has launched a consultation on the universities admissions system. Three future options for reform of the system are set out, including that students receive university offers only after their A-level results.Staff and student data
The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) has released data for 2018-2019. This shows UK universities continue to increase academic and non-academic staff numbers but progress on employing more staff from ethnic minorities remains slow: fewer than 1% of the professors employed at UK universities are black. Male professors continue to outnumber females by three to one, although the number of female professors has increased by twice the increase in male professors since 2014-2015. The data also shows that the dropout rate for first-year students continues to rise: England had the highest non-continuation rate of 6.9% and the proportion of mature students (those over the age of 21) taking their first degree who dropped out also rose to 13.6 %.HE Leadership
‘Universities at the Crossroads’, a new report issued by Policy Exchange, an independent think tank, is based on over 50 interviews with vice-chancellors, chairs of council and other senior leaders. It examines key challenges for university leaders: performance, including delivering financial sustainability , engaging with key stakeholders and ensuring better governance and looks at issues such as grade inflation, academic standards and and vice-chancellors’ pay. It set out the steps that university leaders can take to regain the trust of their staff and their communities.University funding - Scotland
Universities Scotland have published a response to the Scottish government’s budget which saw a 0% change in real terms to universities budgets. Universities Scotland welcome the fact that the settlement interrupts a five year pattern of real terms cuts to universities. However, they state that it does not relieve the set of funding pressures facing universities.Governance - Wales
A review of university governance has been published by the Welsh Government on the eight universities in Wales. In response to the review, the university sector in Wales has published a Governance Charter for Universities in Wales and a Commitment to Action. These documents endorse the major findings of the review, recognise the challenges that have been seen to governance both in Wales and across the UK and the need for collective commitment to action.The charter maps out an approach to transforming governance which will be adopted by every university in WalesThe Trump administration released its annual budget proposal for the 2021 fiscal year. The proposal highlights four main initiatives regarding higher education. These include an end to federal regulatory higher education earmarks, creating and administering Educational Freedom Scholarships, increasing technical education opportunities, and restructuring Federal Student Aid.
The US Department of Education announced a new initiative for the expansion of its Federal Work Study programs. During the experimental phase, the department will grant funding to provide more students with part-time employment and work experiences required by their academic programmes, such as clinical rotations and student teaching. This initial phase will assess the benefits of paid work experiences during students’ academic learning.
The Ministry of Education and Training issued a draft circular on joint training to clarify requirements for HEIs desiring to provide online or combined classroom and online joint training courses with foreign partners.
In a meeting with universities, the Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha stated that Autonomy in entrance examination is encouraged (via competency assessment or skill test), but that weaknesses existing in the previous year must be addressed thoroughly for the 2020 academic year, especially those related to low admission grades and unsuitable subject combinations. In addition, universities should introduce majors that can answer practical needs of the market and avoid focusing on low-demand ones.
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PREVIOUS EDITIONSIAU Lynx February 2020
IAU Lynx December 2019
IAU Lynx November 2019IAU Lynx coordinator: Amanda Sudic
Collaborating team: Nicholas Poulton, Samuel Pousson, Carine Sébast and Lianne Guerra Rondón
Contact: Amanda Sudic
© IAU 2020
Découvrez la série documentaire de l’AIU : IAU AIMING HIGHER
L’AIU, la voix de l’enseignement supérieur dans le monde, plaide pour le rôle des universités en tant que moteur dans le développement de sociétés plus justes et durables, à travers la promotion de la diversité, du leadership et de la responsabilité sociale.
L’AIU a choisi de collaboré avec BBC StoryWorks à la production d’une série vidéo qui met en valeur la contribution importante des universités dans la transformation de nos sociétés. Découvrez dès maintenant la série IAU AIMING HIGHER !
LE CONCEPT
L’objectif de cette série documentaire est de réaffirmer les valeurs fondamentales de l’enseignement supérieur et son rôle dans la transformation des sociétés. Ainsi, nous avons invité les membres de l’AIU à nous faire part des initiatives innovantes menées au sein de leur établissement qui montrent comment se traduisent en actions les valeurs fondamentales qu’elles défendent.
Les équipes créatives de BBC StoryWorks ont travaillé avec quelques 35 établissements du monde entier pour produire de courts films documentaires et porter à l’écran ces récits pleins de sens.
DÉCOUVREZ LA BANDE ANNONCE
L’AIU remercie les Arts et Métiers Paris Tech, l’établissement membre qui a permis le tournage de cette vidéo sur son campus. LES ÉPISODES DES MEMBRES DE L’AIU
La Conférence Internationale de l’AIU 2019, le rendez-vous annuel des universités membres de l’AIU et d’ailleurs, est l’occasion parfaite pour lancer la série AIU-BBC. L’AIU est fière d’inviter les participants à la Conférence à l’avant première de cette série de mini-documentaires présentant des projets universitaires passionnants et aussi divers et variés que peuvent l’être les membres de l’AIU. Ne manquez pas l’avant -première à Puebla, inscrivez-vous à la Conférence dès maintenant !
Ces mini-films donnent vie à des histoires significatives dans les domaines de l’Internationalisation, la Technologie, le Leadership et le Développement durable. Ceux-ci sont non seulement les priorités stratégiques de l’AIU, mais constituent également des sujets de premier plan parmi les défis contemporains dans l’enseignement supérieur. Ces 35 mini-films forment une mosaïque saisissante illustrant la contribution essentielle de l’enseignement supérieur au développement social à travers le monde. La série sera disponible sur un site dédié qui sera lancé ) la Conférence et connaîtra une large diffusion à travers une campagne mondiale via le site de la BBC.
L’AIU remercie toutes les universités qui ont participé pour leur implication et pour avoir accepté de partager ces expériences uniques avec la communauté mondiale de l’enseignement supérieur et le grand public. Ces établissements incarnent tout ce que représente l’AIU: la collaboration, la mise en oeuvre d’actions concrètes et l’échange en vue d’étendre le mouvement des acteurs du changement positif dans l’enseignement supérieur au niveau international pour un impact de long terme sur la société dans son ensemble.
Découvrez tous les épisodes des Membres de l’AIU surwww.iau-aiminghigher.org Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter:
Andreas Corcoran, Secrétaire général adjoint
IAU-AimingHigher
As the Global Voice for Higher Education, IAU advocates for the role of universities as catalysts for the development of sustainable and democratic societies; shaping minds, promoting diversity, leadership and social responsibility.
IAU chose to cooperate with BBC StoryWorks to produce a series on higher education that illustrates how universities are playing a key role in addressing societal transformations. Discover the IAU AIMING HIGHER series !
THE CONCEPT
The purpose of the IAU AIMING HIGHER initiative is to reaffirm the fundamental values of higher education and its role in transforming societies. In order to do this, we have invited IAU Members to share the impactful and innovative work undertaken by their institutions and how these translate the core university values they stand for into action.
BBC StoryWorks’ creative teams have then worked with some 30 institutions around the world, to produce mini documentary-style films and bring to screen these meaningful stories, demonstrating the important role of higher education in societal development.
DISCOVER THE TRAILER
IAU thanks Arts et Métiers Paris Tech, the Member University who accepted to host the shooting of this video. IAU MEMBERS’ STORIES
The IAU 2019 International Conference, the annual gathering of IAU Member universities and beyond, offers the perfect opportunity for the launch of the IAU series. IAU is proud to invite Conference participants to the very first showing of the series of documentaries showcasing exciting university projects, which are as diverse as IAU’s Membership. Register now for the conference !
These films bring to life important work in the areas of Internationalisation, Technology, Leadership and Sustainable Development. These are not only in line with the IAU’s strategic priorities, but also at the forefront of transformations in higher education today. The series will be made available on dedicated website to be launched at the Conference and will have an important outreach through a global advertising campaign on the BBC’s website outside of the UK.
IAU thanks all participating universities for their engagement and for sharing these beautiful experiences with the global higher education community and the general public. They embody what IAU is all about: collaboration, concrete action and exchange to make the movement of positive movers and shakers in higher education grow internationally and make a long-term impact on society at large.
Discover all IAU Members’ videos on www.iau-aiminghigher.org For all IAU queries, please contact:
Andreas Corcoran, Deputy Secretary General
IAU Lynx July 2019 KEEPING AN EYE ON HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENTS WORLDWIDEJuly 2019
IAU Lynx offers a monthly overview of higher education developments around the world. It covers new policies, initiatives and projects on various higher education topics. The information is classified by international, regional, bilateral and national initiatives.
INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
Protecting schools and universities from armed conflict
Through a video on the consequences of attacks on education illustrated by the devastation of the University of Mosul, UNESCO stresses the need to protect education in contexts of crisis and conflict and urges all countries to ensure a commitment to protect schools and universities and to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration.King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the use of ICT in education - Call for nominations
UNESCO has launched a call for nominations for the 2019 edition of the King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the use of ICT in education. This year’s theme is the use of Artificial Intelligence to innovate education, teaching and learning. Deadline for nominations: 31 October.Open Educational Resources
The Draft Open Educational Resources (OER) Recommendation was adopted at the Intergovernmental Expert Meeting held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, on 27 - 28 May 2019. It sets out a transformative vision of Open Educational Resources (OER), which have potential to make a significant contribution to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. It will be submitted for adoption by Member Countries in November.ICT Transforming Education in Africa
From 17 to 19 June, the final meeting or the UNESCO-Korean Funds-in-Trust (KFIT) Project on ‘ICT Transforming Education in Africa’, took place in Paris. The project supports the integration of ICT approaches for education in Mozambique, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Achievements, challenges and lessons learned during the three-year project were discussed, and best practices evaluated in view of preparing Phase II of the Project, to start in July 2019.UNESCO IESALC
The UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNESCO-IESALC) has announced the appointment of Dr. Francesc Pedró as its new Director.UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
The SDG 4 Data Book: Global Education Indicators 2019 presents the latest results for the official global monitoring indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals. Available in English, French and Spanish, it provides a snapshot of global and regional trends, in addition to country-level data from 2010 to 2017.UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education
The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education and the UNESCO Almaty Cluster Office co-organised the UNESCO Regional Leadership Forum for Quality Higher Education on the Internationalization of Policies and Practices in Asia-Pacific in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 22 - 24 May. It promoted a regional network of key stakeholders in the region, identified priority areas and steps towards the internationalization of higher education at regional, system and institutional levels. United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
In the context of World Refugee Day on 20 June, the UNHCR together with the German Federal Foreign Office (FFO) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) jointly organised an international conference from 18-19 June in Berlin on the topic ’The Other 1 Percent - Refugees at Institutions for Higher Education Worldwide’. The conference emphasised the importance of higher education for refugees and initiatives such as the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI).
World Access to Higher Education day
The report for the first World Access to Higher Education day (WAHED) held in November 2018 is now available online. WAHED was created as a platform to raise global awareness around inequalities in access and success in Higher Education and incites global, regional and local action to address these across the world. World Access to Higher Education Day is organised by the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) in the UK, and is supported by NCUK, the Asia-Europe Foundation, EdX, the British Council and University World News.
U-Multirank, of which IAU is on the advisory board, released its sixth annual rankings in June. Over 1700 universities from 96 countries figure in the rankings, with three new additions – Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine.
Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie
Organised by the AUF, the first Initiative for Governance in the New Francophone University Space (IGNEUF) conference took place from 28 to 31 May 2019 at Senghor University in Alexandria, Egypt. Themed ’Integrating the requirements of internationalization into institutional strategies’ leaders from universities in Algeria, Tunisia, Mali, Senegal, Djibouti, France, Madagascar and Vietnam participated.
Return to top REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Africa - Americas - Arab States - Asia - Europe
Southern African Development Community (SADC)
A Ministerial meeting for Education and Science, Technology and Innovation Ministers from the SADC met on 20 - 21 June in Windhoek, Namibia. Hosted by the Government of Namibia, the meeting was attended by SADC Ministers or their representatives from Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Ministers released a Statement which noted progress in the implementation of the SADC Qualifications Framework (SADCQF) and which directs Member States to accelerate the enactment of the Continental Education Strategy (CESA) for Africa and the Education 2030 Action Framework, and to sign the SADC Charter on Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Organization (WISETO).UNESCO Chair on Higher Education and Indigenous and Afro-Descendent People in Latin America
The UNESCO Chair on Higher Education and Indigenous and Afro-Descendent People in Latin America, based at the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero in Argentina, has announced the 65 recipients of grants - university staff and students from 13 countries across the region - to participate in an online collaborative capacity building programme to identify and combat racism in higher education institutions. The virtual programme will take place from July to October.The African Development Bank (AfDB)
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has extended the Souk At-tanmia (‘Market for Development’) programme in southern Morocco to promote entrepreneurship among graduates. Morocco is the second country in which the programme will be developed. The Souk At-tanmia concept was initially put into practice in Tunisia after the Arab spring to support young people setting up their own enterprises. The programme in Morocco is a partnership between the Danish development cooperation DANIDA, Morocco’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Regional Foundation for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise (FREE).Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED)
SEAMEO RIHED has launched a call for papers for the Inter-regional Research Symposium to be held in November 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand during the Southeast Asian Higher Education (SEA-HiEd) Week. The main themes are: inclusive and accessible quality higher education; entrepreneurship and employability; digitalisation of higher education; internationalisation and cross-border higher education; Deadline for abstracts: 16 August 2019.World Bank - Pakistan
In June, the World Bank signed an agreement with Pakistan for the Higher Education Development Project. Funding of 400 million dollars will be used for the development of higher education in Pakistan to support research excellence in strategic sectors of the economy, improve teaching and learning and strengthening governance in the higher education sector.Asia-Pacific Quality Network (APQN)
APQN has released ‘APQN Dissolving Boundaries for a Quality Region: APQN Strategic Plan’ (2019-2022). The report defines seven goals and actions along with ten targets to achieve in the next three years.European Commission
On 26 June, the European Commission announced the first 17 ‘European Universities’ that have been selected. The 17 European Universities comprise alliances involving 114 higher education institutions from 24 Member States. Each alliance will receive up to €5 million in the coming three years to start implementing their plans. A second call for European Universities will be launched in the autumn.Magna Charta Observatory
On its 30th anniversary, the Magna Charta Universitatum has been updated and has been released as MCU 2020 by the Magna Charta Observatory, an IAU Member, for consultation and comments. The Magna Charta Universitatum details fundamental values for universities and was first signed by 388 rectors in Bologna in September 1988.
The consultation period closes on 2 August.European University Association
EUA, an IAU Member, has released guidelines for universities to prepare for the national implementation of the EU Copyright Directive. The publication highlights the key provisions that are relevant to education, research and innovation. The EU Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market was adopted by the European Parliament in March and endorsed by the Council of the European Union in April.International Tuning Academy
A special edition of the Tuning Journal of Higher Education is devoted to the 20th Anniversary of the Bologna Declaration. The open access journal is published by the International Tuning Academy at the University of Groningen, an IAU Member.Return to top BILATERAL INITIATIVES
France - Senegal
Frédérique Vidal, the French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Innovation and the recently appointed Senegalese Minister for Higher Education and Research, Cheikh Oumar Anne, launched a new initiative in Dakar on 11 June which will allow Senegalese students to obtain a French degree while studying at local universities (in French).
Iran - Kazakhstan
In June, Iran’s ambassador to Kazakhstan, Majid Saber, and Kazakh Minister of Education and Science, Kulyash Shamshidinova, held a meeting in Nursultan in Kazakhstan to discuss ways to enhance scientific and academic cooperation, the exchange of university students and academics.
Spain - Cuba
On 19 June in Santander, Spain, universities in Spain and Cuba signed the Santander Declaration at the Bilateral Meeting of Spanish and Cuban Universities, organised by Crue Spanish Universities and by the Ministry of Higher Education of Cuba. The Declaration calls on the authorities of the two countries to sign a formal cooperation agreement in higher education.Return to top NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Argentina Australia
Belgium Canada
Chile
China
Costa Rica France
Germany
Ghana
Hong Kong
India
Israel 
Kenya 
Kuwait
Malaysia
Mongolia 
Netherlands 
Nigeria 
Syria United Kingdom 
Zambia Language and research
On 25 June, the National Interuniversity Council (CIN) and the Council of Rectors of Private Universities (CRUP) signed a declaration to reaffirm the pre-eminence of Spanish and Portuguese as scientific languages of the South American region.University connectivity
On 27 June, more than 30 rectors and university authorities presented the Advanced Connectivity Project of the National Universities. The initiative, in collaboration with the National Communications Agency (ENACOM), seeks to eliminate the digital gap between universities in Argentina and other countries in the region.The research paper entitled The Demand Driven University System: A Mixed Report Card issued by the Government’s Productivity Commission documents what happened during the demand driven university system which existed before 2017. The study identifies the additional students that were given access to a university education and considers their academic and labour market outcomes.
In May, the parliament of the Wallonie-Bruxelles Federation adopted the Decree on Various Measures Relating to Higher Education and Research (Décret portant diverses mesures relatives à l’enseignement supérieur et à la recherche). The decree impacts finance and access to higher education, enrolments and qualifications.
Performance metrics - Ontario
A new report by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario examines the use of performance metrics to evaluate the province’s institutions, which the Ontario government has announced it will link to institutional funding. The report argues that performance metrics should include the skills students acquire during their studies, the link between degrees and job success, and institutional financial performance.Teacher education
A report from the Council of Ministers of Education on Indigenizing Teaching Education has just been published. It presents the results of a CME Symposium at the University of British Columbia in July 2018.University teaching staff - Quebec
La Quebec Federation of University Teachers (Fédération Québécoise des professeures et professeurs d’université) released a report in June presenting the results of a survey of the administrative load of university teaching staff in the province. The findings show that more than two thirds of respondents considered that their administrative charge is unreasonable.In June, the Chile Universities Council of Rectors (Consejo de Rectores de las Universidades Chilenas (CRUCH), and the Higher Education division of the Ministry of Education, announced that they will set up talks to address the issue of free higher education in the country.
The Ministry of Education has announced that more than 30 universities have issued plans to help to regenerate rural areas, and 13 universities have established schools to study rural regeneration. This is further to the government action plan launched in January which requires higher education institutions to better support rural areas through innovation.
On 25 of June, the Costa Rica National Council of Rectors - (Consejo Nacional de Rectores CONAR) released a statement in which it officially condemns and repudiates the acts of violence and repression committed two months ago by Honduran military police against university students and calls on the government authorities to respect university autonomy.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation has released a report on creating and reinforcing technology transfer between higher education and research institutions and start-ups. It includes 16 recommendations.
University-Society Relationships - Declaration
The Hamburg Declaration ‘Rebuilding the University - Society Relationships’ was issued at the Global University Leaders Council organised by the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) in Hamburg on 5 - 7 June and attended by university leaders from 23 countries. The Declaration recognises the social responsibility of universities and includes recommendations on how universities can meet the challenges of academic freedom and the expectations of societal partners.German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) - New president
The General Assembly of DAAD, during elections held on 18 June, has elected a new President. Professor Joybrato Mukherjee, a professor of English Linguistics and who had been the organisation’s Vice-President since 2012, will lead the organisation from 2020-2023.Education development plan
The Ministry of Education has released the Education Sector Medium-Term Development Plan 2018 - 2021 which covers all levels of education, including higher education. The policy includes enhancing infrastructure and facilities; promoting quality assurance; establishing new institutions and an open university; fostering expansion of private participation; instituting guidelines for affirmative action and funding assistance for disadvantaged groups; and accelerating the admission ratio of Science to Humanities students.Merger of regulatory bodies
The Ministry of Education has announced that it will merge the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) and the National Accreditation Board (NAB). The ministry said this is due to the overlapping functions of the two regulatory bodiesThe University Grants Committee (UGC) released the first University Accountability Agreements for 2019-22 signed with the UGC-funded universities. They set out the duties and responsibilities associated with public funding and contain both sector-wide and institution-specific key performance indicators covering five key domains: quality ofteaching and learning; quality of research performance and of research postgraduate experience; knowledge transfer and wider engagement; internationalisation; financial and institutional sustainability.
Qualifications
The Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development has announced that the Association of Indian Universities will issue equivalence certificates for Australian qualifications that include units from sub-bachelor studies, known as ‘pathway degrees’.Academic integrity
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a Public Notice on Academic Integrity. It details measures taken to ensure prevention of academic misconduct including plagiarism among students, academics and researchers and ways to safeguard ethics and academic integrity in scientific research.Open and Distance learning
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has published a Self Study Report Manual for Open and Distance Learning Institutions, guidelines that detail the process of assessment and accreditation of open universities.A new initiative ‘Making Higher Education Accessible to Students of Ethiopian Descent’ has been launched by the Council for Higher Education. The goal is to increase the number of students of Ethiopian descent enrolled in undergraduate programs from 1.4 percent to about 1.7 percent by 2022, reflecting the percentage of people of Ethiopian descent in the general Israeli population.
University funding announced
In its budget, the treasury announced funding of Sh 97.7 billion (840 million Euros) to support university education and Sh 12.6billion (110 million Euros) for the Higher Education Loans Board. The treasury also announced that some of the 32 public universities will merge and some satellite campuses close.National Education Conference
Highlights from a national education conference organised in Nairobi by the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development are now available on Youtube. The conference took place in April.In June, the National Assembly approved a bill on public universities’ to help development of education and educational institutions. One of the draft law articles states, “Universities are public bodies of scientific research, academic, administrative and financial independence, guaranteeing the freedom of education and scientific research, exempt from taxes and fees.”
The Education Ministry has stated that a new Act will be created to abolish and replace several higher education laws. The new Act will aim at putting in place a new governance and financing structure which is more efficient and sustainable, and in supporting academic freedom and autonomy in universities.
The Asia Development Bank (ADB) is supporting Mongolia in reforming its Higher Education Sector and in improving the quality and relevance of the courses on offer in its Universities.
The Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (AWTI), which advises the Dutch government and parliament, has released proposals for changes to university admissions. Shaking Up the System: Towards a Future-proof Higher Education and Research System proposes bringing in student selection and making universities choose more distinct missions.
The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has approved financing of N208 billion (500 Million Euros) for the upgrade of Nigerian universities.
A new study on higher education in Syria, Syrian Higher Education post-2011: Immediate and Future Challenges, has just been released. The study was commissioned by the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA), a British charity that helps academics in danger or forced exile and draws on interviews conducted remotely with academics and students in Syria. The results show the consequences of the war on all aspects of university life, ranging from the destruction of facilities and presence of security forces on campus to the forced displacement of students and faculty members and near disappearance of research.
Graduate employment disparities
New data released by the government show the wide variation in average earnings and employability by course and institution 1, 3 and 5 years after graduation. The Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, has said that universities need to address these ‘stark disparities’.Student welfare
A new report released by the Office for Students evaluates the impact of 119 ‘catalyst for change’ projects on protecting students from hate crime, sexual violence and online harassment. An important aspect of the projects, established in 71 higher education institutions, is to support learning, exchange and dissemination of effective practice, and help establish ‘what works’ in safeguarding studentsInternational education
Presentations are available from the British Council’s Going Global 2019 Conference which took place in Berlin in May.The Ministry of Higher Education launched its first ever National Higher Education policy in June. At its launch, Minister of Higher Education Nkandu Luo called on higher education institutions to aim at providing services that are relevant to the country’s development agenda.
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IAU Lynx June 2019
IAU Lynx May 2019
IAU Lynx April 2019IAU Lynx coordinator: Amanda Sudic
Collaborating team: Clarisse Gemelli, Nicholas Poulton, Samuel Pousson and Carine Sébast
Contact: [email protected]
© IAU 2019
IAU Lynx June 2019 KEEPING AN EYE ON HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENTS WORLDWIDEJune 2019
IAU Lynx offers a monthly overview of higher education developments around the world. It covers new policies, initiatives and projects on various higher education topics. The information is classified by international, regional, bilateral and national initiatives.
INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
Beijing Consensus on Artificial Intelligence and Education adopted
The Beijing Consensus on Artificial Intelligence and Education 2019 was adopted by UNESCO Member Countries as an outcome of the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Education held in Beijing, China from 16 - 18 May 2019. It calls for the systematic integration of AI in education, leveraging AI to achieve SDG 4, and recommends actions to be taken by governments, international organisations and UNESCO.Closing Gender Divides in Digital Skills - new report
The report I’d blush If I Could: Closing Gender Divides in Digital Skills Through Education
features recommendations and worldwide good practice on how to make technology studies – especially digital skills education - more inclusive of women and girls to improve gender equality in digital professions and eliminate stereotypes in AI applications.2020 L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science awards - call for nominations
Nominations are open for the 2020 L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science awards that will recognise the scientific accomplishments of five outstanding researchers in the Life Sciences, each working in one of the following regions: Africa and the Arab States, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America. Deadline: 12 June.UNESCO Office in Bangkok
The call for nominations for the Wenhui Award for Educational Innovation 2019 has been launched. The theme is Promoting University and School Partnerships in Advancing the Education 2030 Agenda. Two individuals or institutions from the Asia and Pacific region will be selected. Closing date: 31 July.ADB has published Realizing Education for All in the Digital Age, a collection of nine Policy Briefs drawn from the work of Think20 (T20) task forces on “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Task Force 1)” and “The Future of Work and Education for the Digital Age (Task Force 7). They provide recommendations to help guide the discussions among the G20 leaders and partners and inspire global and national actions.
Asia-Europe Meeting of Education Ministers (ASEM ME7)
Asian and European education Ministers adopted the Bucharest Statement at the Asia-Europe Meeting of Education Ministers (ASEM ME7) in Bucharest on 15 - 16 May. Themed ‘Connecting education: Inclusion, Mobility and Excellence in Support of the Sustainable Development Goals’, the Bucharest Statement underlines the importance of the link between the ASEM Education Process and sustainable development for achieving Agenda 2030. The Statement also acknowledges digitalisation as a transversal theme in ASEM.
Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) Rectors’ Conference
The 7th Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) Rectors’ Conference and Students’ Forum (ARC7) took place in Bucharest immediately prior to ASEM and discussed the key responsibility of universities in tackling the SDGs.
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
ACU has launched two new PhD studentships to fund research projects which relate directly to the Commonwealth as a whole or has particular relevance to its member nations. Deadline for applications: 30 June
The British Council have released their flagship report, ‘The Shape of Global Higher Education’. The report compares international student mobility, international research collaboration and transnational education across 20 countries in Europe and the Americas.
Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO)
ISESCO has launched a call for the 2nd Edition of the ISESCO Prize for Open Digital Educational Resources. The prize aims to promote innovative educational technology projects and practices integrating ICT in education, training, scientific research and administrative management, reflecting the values and cultural specificities of the Islamic world. Time limit: 31 July.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development - OECD
OECD has just releasedOECD Skills Strategy 2019. Skills to Shape a Better Future. The updated Strategy incorporates skills policies and actions from across OECD countries which incorporate lifelong education (including higher education), employment, and strengthening the governance of skills systems.
Return to top REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Universities South Africa - Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
The symposium on Developing the Capacity of Early Career Researchers took place 18 - 19 March at the University of Johannesburg in collaboration with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and Universities South Africa (USAf), both IAU Members. Presenters and participants discussed the importance of supporting emerging researchers, and building a cadre of emerging scholars for South Africa’s higher education, challenges they face, and support programmes available to them. The programme, along with speaker presentations, can be found here.Universities Caribbean
Universities Caribbean, a recently-joined Member of IAU, is organising the 2019 edition of the One Caribbean Solutions symposium in collaboration with The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It will allow academics to discuss the concept of the Caribbean as one space with a focus on significant issues to the region. The event will be streamed live on UWI TV () on 14 June. The programme is available hereUnion de Universidades de América Latina (UDUAL)
On 14 May the Colombian Association of Distance Higher Education (ACESAD) signed a partnership agreement with UDUAL to foster the role of distance-learning within higher education in the region.Centro Interuniversitario de Desarrollo (CINDA)
The Vice-Rectors of the university network Centre for Interuniversity Development (CINDA) (Centro Interuniversitario de Desarrollo), an IAU member, convened a meeting in Santiago, Chile, from 13 to 17 May to adopt new policies on higher education. The main agreements cover the importance of internationalization, transformation of teaching, learning and assessment and welfare of members of the university community.European Commission
The European Commission recommended in May that EUR 100 million more should be made available for Horizon 2020 and the successor scheme of Erasmus+. The proposal, which needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the Council, would increase the total budget for research and for student mobility in 2019 to EUR 15.2 billion.Linking Academic Recognition and Quality Assurance (LIREQA)
European national quality and recognition agencies, as partners of the European Union financed project ‘Linking Academic Recognition and Quality Assurance’ (LIREQA), have published recommendations on how fair and effective academic recognition practices can be supported through internal and external quality assurance. The recommendations also call for the various actors involved in recognition to improve cooperation and communication to foster trust, transparency and sharing of good practice.Academic Cooperation Association (ACA)
ACA has just released a new report entitled Internationalisation for All? Wider Inclusion in the Internationalisation of Higher Education. The report addresses underrepresented groups in
international higher education and particularly in student mobility, such as students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, students with disabilities, students from minority or migrant backgrounds, students with a refugee background, adult learners, and working students.European University Association (EUA)
A new briefing by the EUA analyses the features of around 130 cases of university mergers and clusters since 2000 and identifies different patterns across the continent.Return to top NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Australia
Botswana
Brazil Canada Chile China
Denmark
Egypt
Estonia
Finland France Germany Ghana
Hungary India
Indonesia
Ireland 
Japan 
Morocco
Mexico
Nicaragua 
Portugal 
Philippines 
Russian Federation 
South Africa 
Spain 
Sri Lanka 
Turkey United Kingdom 
United States The Group of Eight (Go8) has released Priority Directions 2: Three Essentials for Future Economic Success, that sets out priorities of research, international engagement and post-secondary education for universities to contribute as the community and the economy.
The Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) is seeking experts who hold relevant qualifications and experience in diverse fields of learning, to register in the Expert Database for Validations of Qualifications. Deadline for applications: 30 June.
on 15 May, President Jair Bolsonaro’s administration published a decree which goes into effect on 25 July 25 which allows the president, or his delegates, to appoint or veto university officials. University leaders are currently appointed or elected by their academic communities.
The FQPPU, the Quebec Federation of University Professors, has released the results of a national survey conducted in 2018 on the administrative overload of Québec university professors. More than two-thirds of respondents felt that their administrative burden is unreasonable.
On 10 May, the results of the National Survey of Student Commitment Evaluation, sponsored by the Chile Universities Council of Rectors (Consejo de Rectores de las Universidades Chilenas) (CRUCH), were made public.
The International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Educationtook place in Beijing on 16 - 18 May. The conference was jointly organised by the Ministry of Education, UNESCO, the China National Commission for UNESCO and the Beijing municipal government. As an outcome of the conference, the Beijing Consensus calls on countries to introduce policies to promote integration of AI and education, boost AI’s role in building open and flexible educational systems, and facilitate universal accessibility to fair and quality lifelong learning opportunities.
China-MacaoThe Higher Education Bureau posted an article that provides an overview of the development of higher education since the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region in 1999. Progress described is in the expansion of higher education, quality enhancement, institutional autonomy, and academic research.
The Danish Government and Parliament have passed an Act aimed at providing better opportunities for student and graduate employment. The act is based on the Agreement on Increasing Flexibility of University Education Programmes, concluded on 6 December 2018. It includes increased opportunities for students returning to Masters studies, and more possibilities for studying part-time.
Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, announced recently that the ministry is preparing a comprehensive vision to transition into ‘smart’ universities within two years.
This will include the establishment of faculties for computers, information and artificial intelligence in universities and the development of medical education in universities and efforts to promote university hospitals.Rectors of Estonian universities have spoken out against the state budget for 2020-2023, announced by the government in May. The budget does not include increased funding for research and development, as promised by the government in April. The budget provides for maintaining current funding levels.
The results of a study on internationalisation in Finland has been released by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The research was conducted by the Finnish Institute for Educational Research, based at the University of Jyväskylä, an IAU Member. The study found distinct differences within and between higher education institutions and sets out recommendations for action to be taken at various levels, nationwide, regionally and in institutions of higher education.
On 28 May, the French Rectors Association, (Conférence des présidents d’université) and the public agency Foundation for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in the Public Sector (Fonds pour l’insertion des personnes handicapées dans la fonction Publique) signed a partnership agreement. The agreement aims to assist universities in the employment of people with disabilities; aid access for students with disabilities; and to develop research on disabilities.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) and the country’s research council have published the 2018 report on internationalization. The report finds that the upward trend in the degree of ‘internationality’ in Germany continues: 20.5% of all first-year students, and 9.9% of all students, were foreign nationals who had received their prior education outside of Germany. The share of foreign nationals among all academic staff rose to 12%.
The government has approved an increase in funding for scientific research to aid development in the country. The approval is yet to be endorsed by Parliament.
The Minister for Innovation and Technology, László Palkovics, has announced a law amendment “to transform the structure and financing of the research, development and innovation system". The amendment removes 40 per cent of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA) budget. Plans are also being drawn up by the government to remove the Academy of Sciences’ network of research institutions and to create a new governing council.
The Draft National Education Policy 2019 has been released. Built on the foundational pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability, it aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge and eliminate the shortage in the workforce in science, technology, academia and industry. It proposes restructuring at institutional, degree programmes and system levels as well as measures to support internationalization, open and distance learning quality, technology integration, adult and lifelong learning, gender and social equity.
The Minister for research, technology and higher education has launched new software to assist people with visual impairment to sit their computer-based university entrance test by transforming text into audio.
The Higher Education Authority has published a review of teacher training programmes in Ireland. The review indicates that teacher education graduate numbers have fallen by more than a third since since the introduction of the mandatory two-year postgraduate diploma in 2013 - annual fees of around €6,000 for the two-year diploma now are ‘prohibitive’ for many students.
The Japanese government has increased the number of business sectors that foreign nationals are allowed to work in after graduating from universities or completing postgraduate studies in Japan. The government notification is effective from 30 May.
On 16 May, the Council for Higher Education, training and research - Conseil Supérieur de l’Education, de la Formation et de la Recherche Scientifique (CSEFRS) presented ’Higher Education 2030’, a new draft report. It proposes 7 components and 58 recommendations for the development of the higher education system. These include governance, funding, research and innovation, student life and faculty, career development and evaluation.
A new Education Reform was launched on May by the president of Mexico. At the core of the reform is the the abolition of the National Institute of Education’s Evaluation - Instituto Nacional para la Evaluación de la Educación (INEE) . The Institute will be replaced by another governmental, but autonomous body.
On 15 May, the seminar ‘Harmonization and Curriculum Articulation’ organised by the National Council of Universities (CNU) and the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN Managua), reunited experts on Higher Education from Central America and Cuba. The main issues that were addressed concern the Qualifications Framework for Central American Higher Education (MECESCA) and regional harmonisation.
A decree issued by the Portuguese Government which sets out provisions for a simplified procedure for international students for obtaining their visas came into effect on 11 May.
The Philippines recently passed the Graduation Legacy For the Environment Act, which requires all “elementary, high school, and college students to plant at least 10 trees each as a prerequisite for graduation,” This initiative will ensure that at least 175 million new trees would be planted each year.
In April the government approved the expansion of Project 5-100, a state initiative aimed at improving the quality of higher education and raising the competitiveness of Russian universities in the international arena. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev confirmed that from 2021, 30 universities would receive state support within Project 5 - 1000 - instead of the current 21.
The Department of Higher Education and Training has released a Policy Framework to address Gender-Based Violence in the Post-School Education and Training System. The policy framework, which is open for public comments, sets out the proposed strategy of the government to address the increased occurrence of gender based violence in higher education, to prevent it and the outlines ways for systematic monitoring it. The policy aims to be inclusive, irrespective of position, role, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
On 10 May, representatives from 51 Spanish universities participated in a national conference on Sustainable Mobility organised by Crue Universidades Españolas, the Spanish Association of Universities. The conference, held in Valladolid, Spain, affirmed the importance of Sustainable development within higher education and approved a Declaration on the proactive role that Spanish universities must play in complying with Agenda 2030.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has written to the University Grants Commission, which oversees universities, to request that they ensure non-discrimination in higher education institutions, further to extremist attacks in the country in April. The Human Rights Commission letter also calls for the Commission to ensure security measures recently brought in at universities do not discriminate against a particular community.
The Board of Higher Education (YÖK), which oversees universities, announced in May that limitations on the number of foreign students seeking to study in Turkish universities have been abolished. There is currently a 50 per cent quota for foreign students in Turkish universities.
Funding review
The Government Review of Post-18 Education and Funding (the ‘Augar review’) has been released. The review’s main recommendations, which apply to students starting in academic year 2021-22, include cutting annual tuition fees from £9250 to £7500. Universities UK have responded to the review by stating that a cut to the fee should not be made if there is no guarantee to replace the funding.European students post-Brexit
The Universities Minister, Chris Skidmore, announced on 28 May that fees for EU students starting university in the 2020-21 academic year will remain the same as for British students and they will remain eligible for financial support. This extends the existing commitment on student finance for EU nationals starting courses in England in the 2019-20 academic year.Degree courses - government statement
The Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, has called on universities to drop or revamp ‘low value degrees’’ - courses where graduates’ earnings do not meet the loan repayment threshold, £25,000 or over, five years after graduation.Universities UK in response said that while most university graduates earn significantly more than non-graduates, salary outcomes shouldn’t be the only measure of value.Degree classification transparency - universities response
As part of a UK-wide consultation on grade inflation, higher education institutions have agreed a Statement of Intent which outlines universities’ commitment to transparency, fairness and reliability in the way they award degrees. It provides a framework for action and will be in place for the 2019-20 academic year. The consultation was led by the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment with Universities UK , GuildHE and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.New bill to protect scientific research from espionage
A new bipartisan bill, Securing American Science and Technology Act of 2019, was introduced in the in the U.S. House of Representatives on 30 May “to address academic espionage at our institutions of higher education”. The bill claims to better coordinate the federal government’s efforts to protect federal funded research while maintaining international engagement. 26 universities and higher education associations, including IAU Member the American Council on Education, sent a letter of support from to the bill’s sponsors on 30 May.Enrolment and access - new research
According to a new Pew Research Center analysis of National Center for Education Statistics data, the overall number of undergraduates at U.S. higher education institutions has increased dramatically over the past 20 years, with growth fueled almost exclusively by an influx of students from low-income families and students of color. However, these changes are not occurring uniformly: the rise of low-income and minority undergraduates has been most pronounced in public two-year colleges and the least selective four-year institutions.Students’ mental health
The American Council on Education (ACE), an IAU Member, has released a briefing on student mental health. Investing in Student Mental Health details how higher education institutions can take action to prioritise student mental health, even with limited resources. It is accompanied by a new online tool to assess economic benefits to institutions providing services and programmes that improve students’ mental health.Return to top PREVIOUS EDITIONS
IAU Lynx May 2019
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IAU Lynx March 2019IAU Lynx coordinator: Amanda Sudic
Collaborating team: Clarisse Gemelli, Nicholas Poulton, Samuel Pousson and Carine Sébast
Contact: [email protected]
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