Global BUzz

This week, Hefce published a report which it commissioned last April to York Consulting titled Students: Experience, engagement and communities.  The report is based on 10 case studies which explores different aspects of embedding public engagement (PE) into the institutional structure, as well as as bringing it into the student experience. The report notes that the term… Read more » about Students think involvement in public engagement increases their employability, report finds

Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, has published an article in The Guardian suggesting that both fair access and widening participation are ‘achieved by providing more places’ at universities.  He highlights the differences between the two by comparing both fair access and widening participation to a funnel, in which the ‘fair access debate… Read more » about Evidence could make a real difference to understanding fair access & widening participation

The Office for Fair Access (OFFA) has published its Access Agreement Guidance for Universities and Colleges today, which expects ‘all institutions to set out in their 2018-19 access agreements how they will work with schools and colleges to raise attainment for those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups.’  It does not, however, require universities to sponsor schools just… Read more » about OFFA guidance advises universities to consider enhancing support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds

London’s Science Museum has an exhibition on the 500 year history of automata, a moving mechanical device made in imitation of humans. The exhibition highlights that while robots have enjoyed much approval and fascination from humans, their rise has made people concerned and uneasy.  As early as the 1920s, films such as Metropolis questioned the enslavement of people through… Read more » about Will the rise of technology allow us to focus on more creative opportunities?

Yesterday, UCAS published their undergraduate analysis report on UK application rates by the January 2017 deadline. The January deadline applicate rates are particularly important as it is the ‘first reliable indicator of demand for full-time higher education’ for young applications in the UK (excluding Scotland), although more difficult to interpret results for older age groups as… Read more » about UCAS figures show further decline in UK HE applicants

The Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) has published a report by Jisc titled Rebooting Learning for the Digital Age: What Next for Technology Enhanced Higher Education?,  which recommends seven ways where ‘digital technology can support higher education leaders and policymakers to boost student outcomes, increase teaching quality and enhance the student experience.’   Findings reveal that the UK… Read more » about Universities need digital leadership & infrastructure to realise potential of digital technology, report says

The new Times Higher Education results for ranking of the World’s Most International Universities 2017 have been released, with some significant changes in comparison to last year. Last year, Qatar University topped the list followed by the University of Luxembourg, as the rankings were based on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings’ international outlook indicator.  This… Read more » about Significant changes seen in the World’s Most International Universities due to changes in methodology

Last February a review group, chaired by University of Reading’s Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell, was set up by UUK to review the UK HE agencies landscape. Today, the group published its Report of the Review Group on UK Higher Education Sector Agencies, which explores the effectiveness and responsibility of the following HE agencies: Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) Higher… Read more » about Review Group recommends merging UK HE agencies and forging new strategic partnerships

Following months of confusion as main and alternative sources of news publish masses of contradicting articles – particularly noticeable during both the UK Referendum campaign and the Trump presidential campaign – directly influencing individual’s ability to make informed decision, the UK Government’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee has launched an inquiry into ‘fake news’. While greater access… Read more » about Can Higher Education help tackle ‘fake news’, seen as a threat to democracy?

Rankings and prestige have been identified as the most important decision-making factors for US students pursuing postgraduate study in the UK, according to the latest British Council’s Student Insight survey. Focus groups and a survey of 236 prospective postgraduate students from the US provide key insights into the student decision making process when applying to… Read more » about Rankings and prestige key decision-making factors for US students