14 July 2019  Issue No: 560

Networks representing more than 7,000 higher and further education institutions from six continents have announced that they are declaring a ‘climate emergency’, and agreed to undertake a three-point plan to address the crisis through research and their work with students and by going carbon neutral.

Research and innovation funding is set to double, there will be significant extra funding for improving ‘world-class’ institutions, and a new National Research Foundation will be allocated central government funds, under the proposals for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first budget in his second term in office.

In the wake of recent massive demonstrations, there are fears about the implications for Hong Kong’s universities – whether mainland China is likely to impose more restrictive control. But any changes are likely to be gradual and indirect rather than heavy-handed.

University campuses have become more diverse in an age of migration and student, researcher and faculty mobility. But increasing the numbers of unrepresented groups is not enough: university leaders must break down barriers to ensure all feel included, a conference of Pacific Rim university leaders was told.

Students from 28 top Pacific Rim research universities – in the US, Canada, Indonesia, China, Japan, Australia and elsewhere – have embarked on an innovative programme of problem-solving, designed to create fresh solutions on pressing socio-economic problems that leverage leadership skills and community contacts.

In an extensive analysis, the OECD has examined the fast-changing global higher education landscape over the past 10 years and changes that can be expected in the coming decade. It forecasts that the number of young people with a degree will reach 300 million in OECD and G20 countries by 2030 and highlights challenges of access, cost, quality and relevance.

The Conference of Rectors, Vice-Chancellors and Presidents of African Universities or COREVIP 2019 took place at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, from 8-11 July. Hosted by the Association of African Universities, the conference theme was "The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Promoting the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16-25)". University World News was at the conference.