Today's news

March 29, 2007

Quash anti-Semitism, says minister
The Government is due today to unveil steps universities must take to stamp out campus anti-Semitism. Phil Woolas, the Communities Minister, , is expected to announce that the police should use existing powers under the Public Order Act 1986 to prosecute Islamic extremists, and others, if they make any speeches on campus that are anti-Semitic. Universities are expected to be told to keep a record of any complaints about anti-Semitic behaviour, which would include statements or speeches made by students.
The Guardian

Overseas students brush off fees and flock to Britain
Foreign students are continuing to flock to British universities and colleges despite protests about fee increases and new restrictions making entry more difficult. China still accounts for the lion's share while India has now overtaken Greece as the second biggest source of foreign students seeking a British degree. Warwick University has the highest number of foreign students followed by Manchester University. The number of overseas students arriving to study at the 168 higher education institutions monitored by the Higher Education Statistics Agency rose by 3.7 per cent last year to reach 330,000, representing almost one in three of the total number studying for a qualification.
The Daily Telegraph, The Independent

Well-organised girls mind the gap
Women going on gap years are outnumbering men by three to two, according to a study by the Year Out Group of almost 39,000 people taking a year out last year. While most of those choosing to travel, volunteer or work in a business have been young men and women wanting a break between school and university, gap organisations report that increasing numbers are taking time out to gain experience before a job. The Year Out Group also claims that 3,000 more people chose to take a break last year than in 2005.
The Times

Student numbers below government target
The Government is likely to miss one of its key education targets after ministers today revealed the number of students applying to go to university in England has increased by 2 per cent. Prime Minister Tony Blair has set a 2010 deadline for 50 per cent of all 18 to 30-year-olds to participate in higher education. But provisional figures from the Department for Education and Skills have revealed that the higher education student participation rate reached 43 per cent in 2005 to 2006 - still seven points off the Government's target.
The Guardian

Universities link up to help tsunami victims
Two Edinburgh universities have joined forces to help train people to rebuild communities in Sri Lanka, still recovering from the devastation of the 2004 tsunami. Edinburgh University and Queen Margaret's University have launched a joint PhD programme designed to link academic research with professional practice in areas affected by conflict and humanitarian disaster. Under the scheme, students will divide their time between work and research in Sri Lanka, and short periods of supervision and training in Edinburgh.
The Scotsman

Caterer sacked over suspected dog meat
The caterer at a dormitory at Bangladesh's Dhaka University has been fired after students complained they were served dog meat, officials said today. Students at the Hajji Mohammad Mohsin Hall protested after a student suspected that the meat on his plate was of a "dog or fox", instead of beef or mutton. He drew the attention of other students, who rushed to the authorities demanding an immediate investigation. "We have seized the menu and expelled the hall caterer," said Ahmed Zaman Anwar, provost of the 1,200-student dormitory.
The Scotsman

Hot air offers hope for asthmatics
Asthmatics are set to benefit from a breakthrough new treatment - hot air. Researchers at Glasgow University have found that treating severely affected patients by heating parts of their lungs with warm air can lead to "significant" improvements. During a year-long global trial, sufferers experienced a 50 per cent drop in serious attacks from an average of about 18 to eight or nine and had an extra 86 days when they were free of any symptoms. It also enabled a reduction in medication use and the patients exhibited a general improvement in quality of life.
The Scotsman

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