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£15 billion university bill
Universities need nearly £15 billion to meet the government’s higher education targets, it was announced today. Universities UK says it will need £14.36 billion between 2003 and 2009 to meet the government’s 50 per cent participation target while maintaining teaching and research quality. Some £9.94 billion is required over the period of the next spending review 2003-04 to 2005-06. UUK has deferred the remaining £4.42 billion, to meet capital costs, to the subsequent spending review for 2006-07 to 2008-09.

AUT announces candidate for top post
Sally Hunt could become the next general secretary of the Association of University Teachers after winning the executive committee’s endorsement as the officially approved candidate. Ms Hunt, an assistant general secretary, will be appointed automatically unless any AUT members wish to challenge her. She says she wants to lead a "radical and campaigning union that represents all academics".

Zimbabwean lecturer held without charge
Lovemore Madhuku, a lecturer in public law at the University of Zimbabwe, is being held without charge in custody in Harare after his arrest while trying to organise a demonstration in the city on Tuesday.   

Welsh schools poach lecturers
Welsh lecturers are being poached by schools desperate to fill teaching vacancies, according to a new survey by the General Teaching Council for Wales. Headteachers are making direct approaches to universities and teacher training colleges in their search for staff. The GTCW survey found that on average vacant teaching posts are attracting only 6.5 applicants. Physics teachers were most difficult to find.

Israeli academics resolve pay dispute
Classes at Israeli universities, halted by a three-week pay strike by academics, resumed today after strikers reached agreement with the treasury ministry.