15 November 2020  Issue No: 620

COVID-19 has highlighted and increased inequalities in the higher education system. With potential changes to that system likely as a result of the pandemic, it has never been more important to ensure that equity for low-income and marginalised students is embedded in our response.

In a statement on COVID-19, the parties to the Tokyo Convention on the recognition of qualifications in the Asia-Pacific are demanding ‘fair and transparent’ recognition of online and blended studies and qualifications to avoid further disruption of education and student mobility.

Tertiary education works and is vital in many ways for development, but evidence shows how it could have a greater social impact through collaboration, consideration of context and clear communication, if only its contribution was not being overlooked by major funders and the public.

On 25 November University World News, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, will be bringing together experts and practitioners from the International Association of Universities, the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in an online webinar on how universities can improve their social impact.

The Association of Commonwealth Universities wants access to digital education to be included in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to achieve equity in access to education, including tertiary learning.

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Many international students will be looking to travel home for Christmas or to avoid lockdowns in December, but, given the lack of affordable airport testing and with many countries demanding evidence of a negative COVID test before letting people in, they may face problems.

Ongoing attacks on academic freedom and autonomy – including the Brazilian president’s repeated efforts to install his own candidates as university rector in place of the academics’ choice – come at a time when public universities are better able to demonstrate their importance for society.

Universities’ tools to take research to market or wider impact, notably innovation offices and holding companies, should be significantly strengthened in Sweden, and universities should have a dedicated leadership and rewards for ‘utilisation’ and co-creation, says a landmark report by the special investigator on innovation.

Researchers from the HIV Prevention Trials Network believe a breakthrough in the development of a long-acting product for HIV prevention could significantly reduce the risk of HIV acquisition, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where 59% of new infections occur in women, particularly young women.