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25 August 2019 Issue No: 563
GLOBAL
Angel Calderon
 The latest Academic Ranking of World Universities shows a lot of instability, a further weakening of the position of universities in the United States and Europe, and the growing role of highly cited researchers in boosting performance.
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HONG KONG
Liz Jackson Events in Hong Kong clarify the preciousness – and precariousness – of international dialogue, and require a refocus on the importance of deep listening in the internationalisation process. Hong Kong’s global experience can also inspire scholars to recognise that politics and cultural identities outside their own context take different shapes and forms. |
HONG KONG
Yojana Sharma A number of Hong Kong universities have announced that they will not be holding formal inauguration ceremonies at the impending start of the academic year, amid concerns about major disruptions on campuses as part of ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations. This, along with nervousness about whether campus tensions will rise as students return to class, does not bode well for universities as a conduit for dialogue with students. |
GLOBAL
Gerard Postiglione
HONG KONG
Yojana Sharma
 The release on bail from jail of a prominent pro-democracy scholar in Hong Kong could be a test case for dwindling academic freedom as university disciplinary hearings loom, academics have said. Benny Tai, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong who was co-founder of the Occupy Central movement that brought Hong Kong to a standstill in 2014, was released on 15 August with conditions that include not being able to travel.
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AUSTRALIA
Geoff Maslen
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RUSSIA
Eugene Vorotnikov
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RUSSIA
Nick Holdsworth
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EUROPE
Michael Gardner
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SOUTH KOREA
Aimee Chung
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INDONESIA
Kafil Yamin
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INDIA
Shuriah Niazi
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GLOBAL
Karen MacGregor
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NORWAY
Jan Petter Myklebust
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KENYA
Christabel Ligami
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EUROPE
Svein Stølen and Åse Gornitzka
 External funding threatens the future of European universities, in particular their ability to remain comprehensive and to maintain a balance between arts, humanities, social sciences and sciences. Great knowledge may be left uncovered as a result of subtle shifts in the flow of university resources, and the consequences for society may be serious.
IRAN-UNITED STATES
Jonathan C Rothermel
 Three years ago Princeton University doctoral student Xiyue Wang was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iran in connection with his research on Eurasian history. It is vital to defend his right to pursue knowledge, and for the United States government to remain vigilant in securing Wang’s release.
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AFRICA
Marguerite Dennis
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AUSTRALIA
Salvatore Babones
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SOUTH AFRICA
Mark Paterson
 Political parties should be banned from university campuses in South Africa, according to a number of leading academics and senior administrators who attended a recent academic round-table discussion on the book Rebels and Rage: Reflecting on #FeesMustFall by University of the Witwatersrand Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Habib.
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AUSTRALIA
Geoff Maslen
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AFRICA-GLOBAL
Wagdy Sawahel
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AFRICA
 The second Higher Education Forum for Africa, Asia and Latin America (HEFAALA) symposium was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 26 and 27 July 2019. Jointly organised with St Mary’s University, the symposium was marked by discussions and analyses of topical higher education issues of regional, trans-regional and international significance by experts from the three regions and beyond.
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AFRICA
Sharon Dell
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AFRICA
Sharon Dell
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GLOBAL
Sharon Dell
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AFRICA-GLOBAL
Damtew Teferra
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