The TopUniversities.com guide to the latest university news from around the world, on 29 July 2013.
South Africa: Two new universities named
South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma, has announced the names of two new universities – Sol Plaatje University in the Northern Cape and the University of Mpumalanga in Mpumalanga. Speaking of the need to meet growing “hunger for education” in South Africa, Zuma said R2.1 billion (about US$2.1m) would be invested in these universities over the next three years, Eye Witness News reports. Both are expected to start accepting applications next year and to be fully constructed by 2015, with Sol Plaatje specializing in heritage studies and Mpumalanga in agriculture and biodiversity.
Australia: Sydney wins University Yacht Racing Championships
The University of Sydney can proudly claim the winning team at this year’s Australian Universities Yacht Racing Championships, University Racing Sydney reports. Second place went to the team from Macquarie University, while the University of Newcastle finished in third. As well as getting to take home the trophy, the winning team will also have the opportunity to represent Australia later this year in the 2013 Student Yachting World Cup, which will take place in France in October.
UK: Minority ethnic groups more likely to apply to university
A new report suggests that students from minority ethnic groups in the UK are more likely to apply to university than students in the white majority, The New York Times reports. According to the latest figures from UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), about 40% of students of Asian ethnicity applied to university, 34% of black students and less than 30% of white students. The report also found that applications from students in economically disadvantaged areas have increased in recent years.
US: Universities in Maine and New Hampshire leading beach research
The University of Maine and University of New Hampshire are heading a research project which aims to provide better scientific data to support decisions about when to close beaches for health reasons, Maine Sunday Telegram reports. The three-year US$6 million project, funded by the National Science Foundation, will investigate various factors linked to the presence of bacteria in coastal areas. It will also examine the economic impact of closing access, and the impact on local populations. Six other universities in Maine and New Hampshire will also be involved.