The TopUniversities.com guide to the latest higher education news from around the world, on 14 January 2013.
2013’s top 10 priorities for US universities identified
Top of the agenda for US state colleges in 2013 will be increasing institutional performance through strategies to support students and boost graduation rates, according to the latest publication from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Unsurprisingly, tuition prices and financial aid programs also feature in AASCU’s top ten focus points for the year - as do immigration, online education, workplace skills shortages and guns on campus.
Majority of English universities to increase fees next year
More than half of England’s universities are planning to increase tuition fees for domestic students at the start of the next academic year, The Telegraph reports. This will mean 94 out of 122 institutions will charge the maximum amount – recently raised by the government to UK£9,000 (about US$14,450) per year. Overall, the average charge per student will increase from £8,385 for those who started in 2012, to just over £8,500 for those who start later this year (not counting fee waivers and support for low-income students).
More universities using Weibo to talk to Chinese students
A growing number of universities around the world are using social media service Sina Weibo as part of strategies to recruit students from China, reports University World News. The popular microblogging network, similar to Twitter, is reportedly used by 80% of China’s university students, and by 42% every day. A recent survey of universities in the UK, US and Australia found that many are now using Weibo to reach out to prospective students in China – particularly useful as Facebook and Twitter are blocked in the country.
Wilson College students ‘heartbroken’ over decision to admit male students
Students and alumni of the US’s Wilson College said they were “heartbroken” and “disgusted” by news that trustees had voted to fully open enrolment to male students as of 2014. The small private college, one of about 40 women’s colleges in the US, already admits men to its computer and graduate programs. Trustees said further change was needed to boost enrolment and ensure the college remains financially viable, reports Penn Live.
UK university announces center to focus on far-right movements
The UK’s Teesside University has announced the opening of its new Centre for Fascist, Anti-Fascist and Post-Fascist Studies, which will focus on studying far-right radicalism in the country, The Guardian reports. Dr Matthew Feldman, one of the academics involved in the project, says part of the center’s focus will be assessing the risk of “lone-wolf terrorism”, such as the attacks in Norway carried out by Anders Behring Breivik.