Morris presses on with FE college shape-up
The government is to press ahead with plans to close failing further education colleges or send in management hit squads to improve them, despite opposition from principals, education secretary Estelle Morris announced today. Ms Morris said she would put £43 million into colleges to pay for the improvements she wanted, including an average of £50,000 each for new classrooms and equipment. Peers called on the government yesterday to close the funding gap between school sixth forms and further education colleges. Labour's Lord Dormand of Easington said further education lecturers were paid £2,000 a year less than teachers in sixth forms for teaching the same subject.
First student enrols with the e-university
The e-university has acquired its first student, who will start a postgraduate certificate in learning in the connected economy in January 2003. The course, offered by the University of Cambridge with the Open University, focuses on knowledge management within an internet-based information economy.
Campaign beefs up 'girly' sunblock for men
A drive to beef up the number of men wearing sunscreen was today launched by a group of trainee builders. They were roped into the scheme after research found men considered sunblock to be too "girly", according to the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Robert Gordon University explores Aberdeen merger
The board of governors of the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen meets today to consider recommendations to explore a merger with Aberdeen University. Aberdeen's court will consider the report next week.
Jerusalem bomber was Nablus student
The Hamas suicide bomber responsible for this week’s bomb in Jerusalem that killed 19 commuters and wounded at least 50 others has been identified as Mohammed al-Ghoul, a student of Islamic studies at al-Najah University in Nablus.
Lawyers oppose Rio smoking ban
Brazilian lawyers and pro-smoking campaigners are challenging an initiative by the rector of the Universidade de Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Alonso, to stop student smokers from enrolling at the university.