26 May 2019  Issue No: 553

Universities in Mexico and across Latin America are showing that higher education can be both globally and locally focused, playing a central role as hubs and drivers of economic development and change, tackling long-term challenges for society and promoting cross-border collaboration.

Before Narendra Modi’s convincing victory in India’s national election was confirmed, preparations were already underway for a wide-reaching review of higher education, including a plan to double the percentage of young people going to university and ensure that 10% of students in top institutions are international students.

Millions of Venezuelans are fleeing to Colombia, many of them students. However, Colombia lacks the policies needed to support them. The government and universities could learn a lot from the Syrian crisis, particularly how Turkey has provided refugees with higher education.

Libraries were often seen as being at the heart of universities. In the digital age their role has transformed, from passive providers of information to proactive partners in teaching and learning, assisting students and faculty in the design, execution, assessment and modification of their queries.

The Association of Commonwealth Universities has put the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the heart of their new strategic plan which aims to promote the value of universities to society as well as their critical role in sustainable development.