The TopUniversities.com guide to the latest higher education news from around the world, on 8 May 2013.
Global: QS World University Rankings by Subject out now!
This year’s QS World University Rankings by Subject are out today. Ranking universities worldwide in 30 separate subjects (one more than last year), the rankings are created using three key indicators: academic reputation, employer reputation and research penetration. This year more than 70,000 academics and recruiters participated in the global surveys, and more than 68 million research citations were considered. More than 2,858 universities were evaluated, with 678 identified as being among the world’s top 200 for at least one subject.
More on this year’s Subject Rankings >
View the QS World University Rankings by Subject in full >
Australia: University pioneering use of crowdfunding
Australia’s Deakin University is pioneering the use of ‘crowdfunding’ to raise funds for research, University World News reports. Academics are using the site Pozible.com to call on members of the public to make a donation towards a research project that captures their interest. A range of projects have been selected for the trial, including an ocean-mapping project, a study of endangered species, and development of an app allowing users to retrace the steps of photographer Mark Strizic. Around A$5,000-$20,000 (US$5,100-US$20,400) is needed for each.
Hong Kong: Petition to increase funding for HKU library
About 1,500 academics and students have signed an online petition to increase funding for the University of Hong Kong’s library, South China Morning Post reports. Campaigners say official funding for the library has decreased 25% in the last ten years, and that students are missing out as a result. Deputy vice chancellor Professor Roland Chin said the university is focusing on developing partnerships with other libraries in Hong Kong, meaning students can benefit from an inter-library loan system.
US: Colleges with highest percentage of international students
US News has published a list of the most internationally diverse US colleges, based on the percentage of international undergraduate students as of 2011 enrolment. Topping the list is New York’s New School, followed by Florida Institute of Technology, Illinois Institute of Technology, Lynn University and the University of Tulsa.
Australia: Almost a fifth of students go without food
According to a national survey, almost a fifth of students in Australia skip meals due to the financial burden of tuition fees, Courier Mail reports. More than half of those surveyed also said that having to work part-time is damaging their academic performance. The survey results are being highlighted by Professor Sandra Harding, chair of Universities Australia, as part of a campaign against planned government cuts to higher education funding.