World news

Personal experience can drive scholars to push the boundaries in their chosen field, writes Jon Marcus

Spring is dawning in the Gulf and the UK academy’s links with the region’s repressive, anachronistic autocracies look increasingly questionable, says Christopher Davidson

Gandhi is the inspiration for a rail-based college. Joanna Sugden reports from New Delhi

Jack Grove speaks to the former president of Ireland who will lead an EU inquiry into higher education

Ghana tunes in for British Council’s Apprentice-style reality TV show. David Matthews reports

A dean’s legal battle has wider implications for Tunisia’s universities. Matthew Reisz writes

Finland and South Korea boast the most effective education systems, an assessment of 50 countries has found.

London mayor Boris Johnson has used a trip to India to highlight his concerns that the UK government’s visa rules are deterring students from the country from studying in the capital’s universities.

Australia swapped its higher education quality agency for a body with more powers and a much bigger appetite for detail. A year later, the sector is still eyeing Teqsa warily, reports Paul Jump

David Matthews reports from the World Innovation Summit for Education in Doha and hears Tony Blair’s former adviser argue for university ‘turnover’

Event hears how online learning offers ‘alternative public realm’ for Iranians. Matthew Reisz reports

University plans to expand in Greenwich Village have sparked a grass-roots revolt, finds Ian Wylie

New HE minister aims to unblock channels to openness. Joanna Sugden reports from New Delhi

The Egyptian government may shun the UK as a destination for postgraduate students on state scholarships because of frustrations over visas.

US universities should aim to recruit more students from Saudi Arabia if they are to reduce their dependence on students from China, India and South Korea, according to a report.

Despite interest, UK too dear for growing middle class. Elizabeth Gibney reports from São Paulo

Branch campuses may seek independence in long term, experts acknowledge. David Matthews writes

The UK government has signed an agreement with the Indonesian minister of education establishing eight new partnerships between universities in the two countries.

Romney's and Obama's positions on education converge as election nears. Jon Marcus writes

Lords call for more study abroad

Family ties are a big influence on which location people choose for study. Julie Hare reports

David Matthews reports on bid to show clemency to PhD students as cash from Damascus dries up

Higher education has room for both high ideals and pragmatism, Matthew Reisz hears in Bologna

EUA report uncovers global commonalities in PhD education. Elizabeth Gibney reports

Losses for UK and US as Eastern excellence drives start to bear fruit. Elizabeth Gibney reports

Allegations of cheating at Harvard might point to a deeper malaise, finds Jon Marcus

Jon Marcus meets the engineers specially trained to create Cirque du Soleil's astonishing special effects

Joanna Sugden reports from India on falling student applications and pre-emptive cutbacks

European universities need to improve their efforts to help doctoral students and academics spend time abroad, a report by the European University Association has found.

‘Most advanced’ student-support structure in developed world, says OECD. John Morgan reports

Revised curricula will emphasise leadership and time spent away from the lab. Jon Marcus reports

A US study downgrades the importance of agents. Elizabeth Gibney and Jack Grove report

The economic woes of public universities in the US present ‘a prime opportunity’ for institutions with money to swoop in and snatch up staff. Jon Marcus reports

A crucial referendum could decide the future of higher education in California. Jon Marcus reports

The government has reluctantly shelved its bill governing foreign education partners, reports Joanna Sugden from New Delhi

Lying About the Past course aims to teach students method and scepticism. Jon Marcus reports

In the US academy, engagement with the surrounding community and learning through service are 150-year-old ideals whose time has come again - but is the driving force altruism or self-interest?

British border bureaucracy thwarts Science Without Borders scheme. Elizabeth Gibney writes

Virginia president keeps her job, but once-inert boards are stirring nationwide. Jon Marcus writes

Speculation links Diane Ravitch’s criticism of Romney with thinktank exit. Jon Marcus writes

By 2020, more than four in 10 young graduates in countries that are members of either the G20 or the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development will be Indian or Chinese, according to a report.

Canada seeks long-term relationship with growing higher education superpower. Jon Marcus reports

British scholars head for North Africa to forge links with territory neglected by UK sector. David Matthews reports

North American test cases strive to get to grips with copyright in the modern age. Jon Marcus reports

US universities aim to attract students and business by opening cross-country branches

Harvard-based Satellite Sentinel Project offers cutting-edge support to humanitarian initiatives. Jon Marcus reports

Technology posts go unfilled as academy restates the value of liberal arts degrees. Jon Marcus writes

Universities are beginning to find the price of sporting glory too high to bear, writes Jon Marcus

More traditional US institutions are playing for-profits at their own game by offering short professional courses. Jon Marcus reports

A transatlantic wrangle over whether material collected in an oral history project can be used as evidence in a criminal investigation has moved to a US appeals court.

With public finances stretched, the French think the unthinkable on fees. Clea Caulcutt reports

A century on, the Titanic’s tragic tale remains a valuable focus for teaching. Jon Marcus writes

Presidential hopefuls' attitudes to sector range from indifference to hostility. Jon Marcus reports

Economic crisis leaves French politicians tight-lipped on universities budget. Clea Caulcutt writes

Legal graduates sue alma maters after employment prospects fail to materialise. Jon Marcus reports

Boston College has appealed against part of a US court decision forcing it to turn over transcripts of oral histories of sectarian violence to police in Northern Ireland after weeks of international criticism.

With novel credentials being developed and employers seeing the value of low-cost study based on open courseware, Jon Marcus asks if the bricks-and-mortar elite will end up on the wrong side of history

Jon Marcus examines the trend for basing US university budgets on outcomes, not enrolments

A legal battle over IRA interview tapes held by a US college is nearing its climax. Jon Marcus reports