UU pulls out of Belfast 'peaceline campus' project
Ulster University has pulled out of the Springvale project to build a "peaceline campus" in north and west Belfast. It is believed that the PFI project faces a multimillion-pound shortfall. But UU says it is still committed to the area and aims to work with government and further education on alternative initiatives.
Manchester AUT members vote out UMIST merger
Members of Manchester University's Association of University Teachers have voted not to support the proposed merger with UMIST in its present form. They said they were unable to support it until a number of serious concerns were resolved. Both universities will take final decisions next Wednesday, which could result in the dissolution of both institutions to make way for a new "super university" in 2004.
UK students' experiments go up in Russian smoke
The Russian Soyuz launcher that exploded killing one person and injuring another eight also destroyed experiments by two groups of British students from York and Edinburgh universities. The rocket, carrying an unmanned Foton M-1 research satellite, exploded 29 seconds after lift-off on Tuesday night.
Shefc doles out £7.5m for science
The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has divided £7.5 million between Scotland's 20 universities and colleges to upgrade facilities and buy new equipment to help boost undergraduates' science and technology skills. The funding, which can be used to support students in any subject, is part of an extra £17.5 million for tertiary education that the Scottish executive announced in the summer.