Threat to global outlook

PRESSURE to publish and the limited recognition given to work on international projects is forcing British academics to consider halting their international activities, according to the international development director of Manchester University's school of education.

Tina Baker says academics who have built up their international work under pressure to internationalise their activities are disadvantaged because the research assessment exercise fails to take full account of their value.

Ms Baker was representing Manchester at a convention, partly organised by the British Council to coincide with the Commonwealth Ministers' conference in Botswana, to exhibit education technology in the Commonwealth.

She said: "The RAE fails to recognise international activities. Colleagues are in a dilemma about whether they should continue with their international work."

UK universities and educational bodies were well represented at the convention. Some were disappointed that ministers had limited opportunity to visit it due to time and distance constraints.