Government relations

Former head of music school says decision not to revisit his complaints shows system ‘worse than useless’

New vision for higher education in Hungary needed after defeat of populist leader, says head of Central European University

Cost-benefit analysis ‘broadly supportive’ of amalgamation of up to three Perth universities

Agricultural and environmental research lose out, as scientists criticise ‘dangerous confusion’ of government’s switch to ‘smarter investment’

New initiative to inject scientific expertise into boardrooms complements decades-old programme to matchmake researchers and politicians

University degrees no match for bots that sift applications as well as stealing graduates’ jobs, rebel senator says

Under-fire Charles Darwin University decides to concentrate on core business after resignation of vice-chancellor

Horse-trading looms, as opposition senators reject legislation outright and crossbenchers demand changes

Requirements around racism, disability and transparency among new proposed benchmarks for retaining registration

Findings outline need for systemic whole-of-sector reforms, commissioner says

Government mandates restricting which disciplines universities can offer jeopardises internationally recognised courses, says worst-affected institution

If 2025 was about establishing stability, in 2026 our focus must turn to building for the future, says UUK president Malcolm Press

Financial penalties loom for institutions that fail to crack down on issue as government commits to ‘report card’ system

Last-minute amendments from opposition ease concerns about course cancellation and barriers to entry

‘Seriousness’ of dodgy behaviour overrides concerns about ministerial overreach, inquiry concludes

Representatives of chancellors, staff and students in Victoria eye doubling of elected places in rare ‘meeting of minds’

Universities cautiously welcome changes intended to cut down on bureaucracy, but are wary of narrowing focus

Political campaign against ‘damaging’ v-c highlights tension between obligations to constituents and respect for institutional autonomy

Shadow minister promises bipartisanship but ‘no blank cheque’, with commission’s funding activities set for particular scrutiny

Foreign arrangements scheme an example of the regulatory ‘thicket’ smothering universities’ core business, v-cs tell governance inquiry

Ambitious review with modest government pickup ‘was not an exercise in kicking the can down the road’

Good lobbying skills coupled with ‘academic backbone’ the key to success in both sectors, according to leader of Colombia’s University of la Costa

Domestic student places and essential courses face axe as plan to tax international tuition fees could prove to be ‘final nail in a coffin’ for some institutions

Universities warned against alienating local communities as government emphasises civic mission

‘Trivial’ change will not drive down migration numbers, according to shadow minister

Group attempts to capitalise on new era of university collaboration – and show collective worth to government – but will it end up as a ‘pale imitation’ of Russell Group?

Ten institutions including some members of the now-defunct 1994 Group join together in attempt to find ‘collective voice’ away from the Russell Group

Dundee bailout could set precedent for government intervention but new pots of money could come with strings attached, event hears

Institution falling back on reserve cash to pursue growth through major transformation, including a new teaching model, overseas expansion and controversial staff redundancies

Programmes at risk at a time when more employers want to train their staff at higher level, say leaders

Politician calls on businesses to bear more of the costs of upskilling the workforce as universities wait for lifelong learning policy details

Government targets ‘resuscitation’ of technical institutions and closer private sector ties as youth unemployment soars

Difficult to get new models of collaboration off the ground without ‘transformation funding’, finds efficiencies review

Fierce competition to provide lifelong learning means UK universities require significant investment and national strategy, report finds

Focus shifts to strategic partnerships and attracting more international students after foreign universities flock to Central Asia

Universities set to lose millions in income if government goes ahead with plan to take a cut of overseas earnings, and are unlikely to see much benefit from levy spending, critics say

Universities mount fightback against further restrictions on international students, emphasising their role in growing the economy and lack of public support for new measures

Maintaining opportunities only for young people dismissed as little better than wholesale defunding

Restrictions to incoming international students and graduate route thought to be more likely following losses by Labour in local elections

Skills minister urges universities to ‘rethink education’ ahead of roll-out of LLE, but plan for more modular learning still being ‘ignored’ by parts of the sector

Budget cuts of €500 million to higher education and research funding in the Netherlands breach government agreement, universities say

Shadow skills minister calls for end to post-study work visa and denounces changes to apprenticeship funding as he settles in to new role

Leaders warn that over-regulation could shut down provision entirely after fraud connected to partnership agreements comes under the spotlight again

Changes to science policy organisation decried as political interference after long-standing tensions

Policy institutes’ lack of strategic variation risks overheating the competition for airtime with national policymakers, says Diana Beech

Ivy Leaguers ramp up Capitol Hill activity ahead of presidential inauguration

The country’s leaders must recognise that emigration is not a betrayal but a symptom of deeper societal issues that must be addressed, says Roohola Ramezani

Conversations between Scottish and Soviet researchers during the 1980s show academia’s potential to provide ideological safe space ‘outside of the state and its institutional needs’

Alumni of American institutions now lead 70 countries globally after largest yearly increase

BBC presenter and physicist says ‘no one is clever enough’ to know which subjects to switch off

Rather than railing at those who control the purse strings, help them solve their problems, says regulator

Wary of backing a ‘toxic’ big rise in fees, vice-chancellors are coalescing around a demand for more public subsidy for higher education instead. Despite the cost, could this option be more palatable for Labour?

Scheme that places researchers at heart of policymaking set to be expanded, but can evidence-based advice really make a difference in heat of politics?

Research, innovation and education are recognised in the European Commission president’s manifesto, but let’s assert their wider relevance, says Jan Palmowski

Labour’s planned decentralisation of power will strengthen universities’ standing and ability to contribute to local prosperity, says Diana Beech

Modern universities make up over half of the UK sector, yet their vital work flies under journalists’ and politicians’ radars, says Amanda Broderick

Scholars see opportunities to influence Labour’s thinking on universities and beyond as power of thinktanks wanes

A decade of rule by the Hindu-nationalist BJP has seen a combustible mixture of technocratic reform and political interference in higher education. But the party’s below-par showing in this month’s general election has left some academics daring to hope for quieter days ahead. Helen Packer reports

UK universities’ image is better than many in the sector suppose, but we should be wary of being seen as profit-obsessed, says Bobby Duffy

Preventing publication of two major taxpayer-funded studies into bullying and homelessness is wrong, say academics left in limbo