Latest news

Cream of RAE crop promised extra £30m
The government has promised an extra £30 million to help fund the improved results of the research assessment exercise. The extra cash will be given to departments rated 5, the second highest rating in the exercise. The Higher Education Funding Council for England had already announced that it would prioritise funding for 5* rated departments.

Muslim women lack educated role models
Muslim families remain reluctant to let their daughters leave home to study at university, according to a survey report from Bradford today. Adrienne Katz, founder of the Young Voice charity that carried out the survey of 300 youngsters, said positive role models were needed to show that higher education could benefit the whole community without risking cultural or religious identity.

£4m donation for medical research institute
A £4 million donation from the Wolfson Foundation has boosted Edinburgh University’s plans for a world-class American-style medical research institute bringing together scientists and clinicians. Edinburgh is now stepping up its fund-raising campaign to attract the £12 million it still needs for its £50 million target.

Pupils question accuracy of exam paper
An investigation was under way today after two students claimed a mistake on an AS-level exam paper could cost them a place at university. Exam board Edexcel has been ordered to produce a preliminary report on what went wrong by the end of today, said a spokeswoman for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Two pupils at Allerton High School, Leeds, said a paper they sat on Friday contained an error, making it impossible to answer a key question.

Astronaut exercises to benefit dyslexics
Millions of children could be set to benefit from a new treatment system for dyslexia based on exercises similar to those used by astronauts. Severely affected children showed significant improvements over six months during an independent research study carried out by Exeter University professor David Reynolds, former chairman of the government’s National Numeracy Taskforce.

Publishers challenged over decline in verse
Poetry in Britain is in crisis as publishers shun verse for more profitable forms of literature, it was claimed today. David Morley of the University of Warwick is holding a debate with leading figures in publishing at the university’s arts centre next week.

Kidnapped Brazilian professer shot dead
The body of a former professor of economics at Brazil's Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, who was kidnapped last Friday, was found last night. Celso Daniel, co-founder of the Workers’ Party in 1980, was due to present a national anti-violence programme on January 28. He had been shot eight times.