Universities win copying tribunal
An interim decision by the Copyright Tribunal has sided with vice-chancellors’ body Universities UK in almost all its pleas against the Copyright Licensing Agency. The tribunal ruled that course packs and artistic works, produced by lecturers for students, should be included in the annual photocopying licence fee paid by universities. The licence fee, paid by institutions in lump sums, will increase by around 50p to £4 per full time student. The settlement is backdated to August 2001.
US clamps down on student visas
United States immigration authorities are holding five out of ten Middle Eastern students arrested in the San Diego area in a clampdown on visa infringements. None is suspected of involvement in the September 11 attacks. Of the other five, one has been released, three offered to return to their home countries, and a fifth has been referred to the US attorney's office, which will decide whether to file criminal charges.
Scottish pass rate on the up
Graduate numbers are up by nearly 4,000 in Scotland, according to figures released by the Scottish Executive’s enterprise and lifelong learning committee today. They show that 56,538 students completed courses successfully in 1999-00. The majority (31,472) were women.
Ministers to establish national skills centre
The government is to establish a national research and development centre for adult basic skills. The centre will collate best practice and develop new learning ideas. Its work will be led by the Institute of Education, part of the University of London, and will be supported by the universities of Lancaster, Nottingham and Sheffield.