Latest UK news

Report says academics are underpaid and overworked
Lecturing unions have welcomed a report calling on government to address the pay disparity between academics and comparable professions and to reduce the burden of bureaucracy. The education select committee report on student retention indicates a link between underpaid and overburdened lecturers and students dropping out.

Scottish principals aim to boost education for poor
Scotland’s higher education principals have today signed up to an action plan to boost social inclusion. Currently 17 per cent of students come from under-represented areas, compared with a United Kingdom average of 12 per cent.

Economist star becomes head of ESRC
Frances Cairncross is to take over from Bruce Smith as chair of the Economic and Social Research Council. Ms Cairncross is management editor of the Economist and an honorary fellow of St Anne’s College, Oxford. The chair is appointed for three years and is responsible for the council's direction and management.

Learning and technology agency appoints new head
John Taylor, principal and chief executive of Sheffield College, has been appointed chairman of the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency. He takes over from Heather Du Quesnay. BECTA is responsible for developing the National Grid for Learning for schools.

Launch of SuperJANET 4 heralds new learning and research era
SuperJANET 4, the high-speed education and research computer network, was launched yesterday by Michael Wills, under-secretary of state for learning and technology, at University College London. The speed of data delivery via SuperJANET 4 will encourage development of new learning and research environments across the UK and internationally.

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