22 November 2020  Issue No: 621

International student enrolments in United States universities declined by 16% in autumn 2020 and drops in new student enrolments were more than twice as steep, at 43%, according to data from a snapshot survey designed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on US higher education.

The third World Access to Higher Education Day or WAHED, held on 17 November, was marked by more than 30 events across 25 countries, including six online conferences involving over 2,000 delegates held in association with University World News, with a strong focus on the impact of COVID-19 on equity.

Sixteen university presidents from 14 countries met to discuss post-pandemic and Brexit perspectives for ‘reinventing higher education’ and the question of whether mobility of academic and student talent can return to pre-pandemic levels, in a Zoom event organised by IE University, Spain.

The sudden switch to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic does not seem to be a temporary one, yet it has caused rising inequality and has highlighted the lack of a student voice in India’s higher education system, particularly for the most disadvantaged students.

On 27 January 2021 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 Chinese University of Hong Kong – scene of violent battles between student protesters and police a year ago this month – called the police to campus on Thursday over what it called an “unauthorised demonstration and procession” by graduating students chanting anti-government slogans.

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China has been increasing its influence on the higher education sector in Africa, with some arguing that partnerships are based on mutual respect, equality and honesty. African higher education leaders should take care and join forces to protect their interests and to oppose any Chinese colonialism.

United States universities need to act with precision and speed to the US presidential election results and make use of the current moment to rebuild support for disadvantaged students and strategies to avoid overreliance on Chinese students, given the uncertainty of US politics.