The TopUniversities.com guide to the latest higher education news from around the world, on 23 April 2013.
Global: Meditation could help you get better grades
A study by George Mason University and the University of Illinois has found that meditation could help you learn, reports The Huffington Post. The study was conducted on psychology students, half of whom were taught to meditate before a lecture, while the other half weren’t. The half who had been shown how to meditate performed far better in a post-lecture quiz, it was found. The results were particularly pronounced when the test was carried out with first-year students. So, if you’re struggling to retain information, try meditation!
US: University of Florida to become first public US institution to offer fully-online degrees
The University of Florida will become the first public university in the US to offer fully-online degree programs from next year, following the passing of a bill on Monday. US$15 million has been designated to get the undergraduate-level programs underway, reports The Huffington Post. Similar plans are underway in Texas and California at present, while Illinois chose not to pursue the development of online programs. Fees in Florida will reportedly not be more than three-quarters of those for a regular program.
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US: Princeton Review releases guide to 322 green US universities
The Princeton Review has released a guide to 322 green universities in conjunction with the Center for Green Schools to coincide with Earth Day, which occurred on April 22. The universities featured in the guide are those which have made a particular commitment to environmentally-friendly practices; 21 of which were singled out for special praise, reports The Huffington Post. In a separate Princeton Review survey, it was found that 62% of American university applicants were concerned with the Green credentials of a university.
Australia: Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan to be honoured by La Trobe University
La Trobe University will award its first Global Citizenship Award to Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan when the 70-year old actor is in the country for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. The award is intended to honor Bachchan for the “exceptional leadership” he has shown in his film career and for making an impact internationally. The university is also introducing a scholarship under his name, reports Indian Express. The Global Citizenship Award will be given annually.
UK: Loughborough University Graduate bounces into record books
Becky White, a graduate of the UK’s Loughborough University has made it into the Guinness Book of Records – with a little help with 302 university students and staff – for breaking the world record for the number of people bouncing on mini trampolines at the same time. The bounce, held last July, was organized to celebrate the passing of the Olympic Torch through the university on its way to London and features in the latest edition of the annual records book.