There appears to be a consistent and omnipresent belief in data value across universities, edtech companies and investors in edtech, but this value is not fully realised, at least not to the extent wished by stakeholders. Data value means different things to different stakeholders.

Asian universities are actively contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through their community engagement, ranging from community outreach and service learning to providing lifelong learning opportunities to local citizens. In this article, we share some examples of best practice.

Postdocs have become the new ‘ice boys’ and ‘ice girls’ of the higher education sector – cheap and accessible labour that higher education can exploit, use, misuse, abuse and discard at will. A national framework to protect these marginalised scholars is urgently required – and necessary.

There are urgent and deep challenges to international science. The role of science in addressing the global commons is compromised. There is a growing political focus on institutions that produce science, universities and international collaboration. The science production system is at risk.

Despite the alarming headlines about the impact of United States funding cuts on South African universities – and the fact that the country lags behind others when it comes to spending on research and development – South Africa is not dependent on foreign funding for research in higher education.

Rather than seeing international students as collegial members of an increasingly cross-cultural society and partial solution to demographic challenges in South Korea, critics often portray them as outsiders encroaching on limited opportunities. The broader multicultural shift exposes deep-seated insecurities about national identity, equity and social cohesion.

In today’s shifting landscape, failure to demonstrate the benefit of global education for all students – using not only inspirational narratives but tangible outcomes that resonate with higher education’s stakeholders – puts global education at risk of being peripheral to the future of higher education.

The rapid global growth in transnational education, or TNE, and its online variants goes hand in hand with growth in private higher education. Such expansion is matched by growing risks and calls for stronger accreditation, quality assurance and standards by national regulators, regional networks and international organisations.

The chilly climate for free speech on campuses in the United States ensuing from the Trump administration’s ongoing international student detentions and visa cancellations harms the entire higher education sector, not just international students, and hinders future US foreign policy efforts.

Internationalisation in higher education for society, or IHES, is one of the few concepts that works well and is transferable anywhere. Connected to the concept of impact, it is a means of measuring the contribution of higher education to the sustainable development of communities.

Indian higher education has become fundamentally politicised in the current era of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, posing a grave danger to academic institutions, the academic profession and intellectual life, particularly as India seeks to build world-class universities and engage with the world’s best.

Income share agreements, which tie repayment of student debt to postgraduate income, offer a compelling alternative to existing finance options, allowing students to study without upfront financial barriers and making universities more accountable by shifting the focus from enrolment to post-graduation success.

Many contemporary scientists agree: humanities perspectives enhance scientific methods, providing contextualisation for scientific discoveries and technological advancements, enabling scholars to consider the deep contextual layers that shape scientific inquiry across varied applications. So why do STEM agencies not consider humanists in funding?

Universities in Lebanon can enhance the employability of graduates – currently trapped within an antiquated system of higher education ill-suited to the demands of domestic and global labour markets – by promoting continuing education and training through professional certifications, online courses, continuing education programmes and micro-credentials.

International university consortia – which pool resources, expertise and networks to enhance research capabilities, educational offerings, societal impact and influence – can also act as resilient bridges and ‘soft infrastructure’ for stability and cooperation beyond political cycles in the current complex geopolitical environment.

While the field of Education for Sustainable Development has focused on schooling, students and educators, lifelong and life-wide learning have been increasingly called upon as a critical element in addressing the complex issues around sustainability. This has implications for the roles of universities.

As AI continues to progress, its ability to amplify universities’ contributions to global sustainability efforts is unprecedented. A thoughtful and strategic approach to AI integration will not only improve educational outcomes but also equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in a sustainable world.

Donald Trump’s attempts to weaken the United States Department of Education, which administers student aid and other programmes intended to improve higher education access, may have an impact beyond US borders as some political parties across the world attempt to replicate his brand of authoritarian, right-wing populism.

The emergence of the augmented mind is not a futuristic speculation – it is the new condition of learning. It calls for a paradigm shift in how we understand knowledge, assessment and intellectual growth. Educators must design learning environments that embrace co-processing rather than resist it.

Business education remains a powerful tool for career growth, but as industries shift, academic institutions must ensure graduates are job-ready and can navigate in the real world. The future of business education belongs to those who blend classroom learning with hands-on industry experience.

The possibility of living 100 years is shaping up into a distinct reality which opens up all kinds of prospects for higher education. To remain relevant in this new demographic reality, universities need to support relearning and reskilling, and more socially purposeful research.

Vietnam’s new development plan aims to meet the needs of learners while supporting development goals and is a significant step towards transforming the country’s higher education and innovation capabilities. However, attention to equity will be needed to ensure even progress across the system.

If the sector is in difficulty now, with two-thirds of British universities thought likely to produce operating deficits in 2025-26, the early years of the next decade could prove existential, particularly as both state and regulator say they won’t bail out individual institutions.

Joint venture universities in China must be protected and nurtured because they represent concrete evidence that the multifaceted synergies to be gained from these important, mutually beneficial projects clearly outweigh any risks that might exist – if they exist at all.

Serving a minority of students with disabilities means universities are better able to pursue their missions. In the case of Sorbonne Nouvelle University, this means modernising curricula to increase graduate employability and consolidating its position as the most internationalised French university for arts and humanities.

The latest QS subject rankings show that the countries that have traditionally led international university rankings continue to dominate the top places but are beginning to be challenged by developing higher education markets, notably by those in Asia and the Middle East.

A landmark policy shift intended to expand access for financially disadvantaged students by converting South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme, or NSFAS, loans into full bursaries has exacerbated existing inequalities and remains an unsustainable and inefficient mechanism for expanding higher education access.

Artificial intelligence enables academic writers who have access to technologies to produce submission-ready articles. This, coupled with an emergence of research cultures in which human authors are simply disinterested in research, begs the question: Are we moving towards a world in which we will not need journal editors?

When companies like Times Higher Education simultaneously control university ranking systems, provide strategic consulting and convene education ministers, they create a self-reinforcing cycle of influence that exceeds traditional regulatory frameworks – a profound shift, whereby commercial entities determine educational standards and priorities without democratic accountability.

Imposter syndrome is a common psychological phenomenon that affects students, professionals and jobseekers alike, hindering personal and professional growth. But it can be managed. By recognising self-doubt, seeking support and embracing a growth mindset, individuals can overcome imposter syndrome and pursue their goals.

While research-oriented universities have driven Hong Kong’s reputation for academic excellence, they have primarily produced graduates with strong theoretical foundations, leaving a gap in vocational education that meets the growing demand for practical skills – a gap that is about to be filled.

Higher education is going through a soul-searching exercise. This is happening as its role and value are being questioned and calls are heard for higher education to find a new role for itself and better articulate its place as a public good.

The failure of political, economic and environmental systems around the world could be a moment of profound opportunity to rethink, redesign and rebuild. Embracing continuous innovation and adaptability will ensure that higher education remains relevant and influential amid constant global change.

A new multi-engagement analysis counters the simplistic notion of a single pathway towards meaningful engagement and shows that the vast majority of students are not detrimentally ‘academically adrift’ at public research universities, as previously reported in research studies and the media.

The Trump administration’s requirement that Australian researchers who collaborate with United States federal agencies must declare any links to China and comply with the government’s anti-diversity, equity and inclusion, America First agenda suggests that diversifying Australia’s research partners is now a national priority.

New data on female leadership in higher education in Central Asia shows that women rectors are in a small minority in all countries, but Kazakhstan is something of an outlier, reflecting relatively higher rates of female leadership, offering possible lessons for the region.

United States President Donald Trump’s second term looks set to accelerate an academic brain drain. If current trends hold, the country could see a long-term decline in its ability to attract top international talent, while the United Kingdom and Europe solidify their positions as leading global academic hubs.

The upsurge of populism and transatlantic tensions make urgent the formation of a European platform or framework that helps to demonstrate the role of higher education in modern societies and promotes its role in fostering a culture of democracy, especially at local level.

Georgia’s universities stand at a crossroads. If the government succeeds in suppressing the current wave of student-led protests, control over universities will tighten further, but if the movement prevails and the government is ousted, meaningful reform becomes a possibility – though not a certainty.

A study that explores the career trajectories of Ukrainian students pursuing higher education in Poland shows how the conflict in their country has redefined professional goals, financial security and self-perception. It also calls on universities to rethink how they support international students from conflict-affected countries.

China’s massive expansion of its undergraduate education system, which has seen top universities launch new programmes to align with national strategic priorities amid rapid technological advancements and geopolitical competition, raises critical questions about its impact on education quality, employment and regional equity.

Collaboration has been critical for researchers, institutions and nations to achieve common goals. However, the global higher education and research community is entering uncharted territory due to the threat of seismic geopolitical shifts that are likely to result in detrimental impacts for the SDG agenda.

Accelerated learning is seen as a viable alternative to traditional education models in response to societal demands for flexibility and efficiency, particularly in Africa and Asia. However, concerns over quality assurance and long-term consequences necessitate a critical assessment of policy implementation beyond official discourse.

Iran has been trying to improve its research quality as studies show high numbers of retractions, but a new letter from a government minister seeming to target whistleblowers rather than those committing misconduct raises serious concerns about whether the initiatives will succeed.

Universities worldwide are grappling with multiple crises caused by different factors, from budget cuts to wars, climate change, political pressures and polarisation. A European University Association project explores how they can keep teaching and learning on track, facilitate social cohesion and shape the future.

Proposals by the Trump presidency in the United States, such as defunding research, diminishing opportunities for international students and (probably) limiting job openings for highly skilled migrants, will affect US scientific and innovation capacities and open the door for other countries to play a more active role.

The success of China’s higher education system offers valuable lessons to other countries in the region, particularly in respect of securing stable funding and aligning national priorities with institutional goals. However, balancing excellence with inclusivity will be essential to achieving greater regional equity.

While Hong Kong university leaders demonstrate resilience and innovation in the face of looming budget cuts – pursuing alternative revenue and optimising resources – the long-term ability of universities to sustain their hard-earned status as measured by rankings, international appeal and collaborations remains unclear.

Tension between students and university leaders is not new, nor is it unique to South Africa. But what is clear is that, until government institutions take decisive action on student funding and higher education policy, universities will continue to be battlegrounds for broader political struggles.

Flexible courses will allow universities to reach out to new students and offset some of the funding problems they face, but there is resistance. How can institutions adapt, given their conservative nature and their strong academic leadership which foregrounds the voice of professors?

Whereas AI can create a summary of a topic for students, university lecturers can use micro-learning to create carefully curated, engaging material that can be part of a suite of units for a new topic or can help students revise for their traditional assessments.

Universities have little to fear from clampdowns on immigration if they adopt a balanced strategy that emphasises both post-study work and successful employment outcomes back home. If universities fail to deliver on employability, students may start questioning the value of international education altogether.

Formative student peer reviews can be an effective strategy for enhancing learning through discursive interaction, negotiation and collaboration. However, a challenge to increasing peer feedback is the need for structural changes in power relations – between student and tutor, and formal and informal learning environments.

Assessing success in life requires multiple standards, and the same is true for evaluating the success of researchers. While competition for early recognition can motivate young people to set goals and work hard to achieve them, it should be approached in a balanced way.

In order to equip young people to work for change and to sustain that work, academics must be honest about setbacks. Civic action needs to be framed as an ongoing practice rather than a single event – and academics must themselves model hope.

It is time to discuss the boundaries between expectations of higher education and what goes beyond its responsibility. A more nuanced view is needed to understand the role of higher education in guaranteeing access to education and skills, and graduates’ labour market outcomes.

While decolonisation remains a vital and necessary discourse, its problematic nature stems from conceptual ambiguities, ideological tensions and practical constraints. There are the challenges of epistemic binaries, the complexities of linguistic decolonisation, the paradoxes of globalisation, and the need for a coherent strategy for institutional transformation.

A recent study in the United States shows that many faculty teaching about race and racial disparities reported making changes to their courses and research, not because they were legally required to, but because of uncertainty – driven largely by the silence and inaction of senior university leadership.

With its determined recruitment process, its radical access approach and pre-university foundational curriculum, the Asian University for Women in Chittagong in Bangladesh is providing knowledge, skills and hope to female learners from under-served groups from the whole of Southern Asia and the Middle East.

Jisc in the United Kingdom recently conducted an independent review into the use of open data in research management and administration which aimed to enhance understanding of open data’s potential to improve research management and support efficient and innovative use of data.

A new study in China probes the systemic factors driving academic misconduct among doctoral students and argues the need for an environment in which young scholars can thrive ethically and intellectually, upholding the ideals of academia as a noble pursuit of truth and understanding.

The latest United States National Institutes of Health policy which slashes funds for research infrastructure is expected to weaken the position of the US as a global leader of scientific innovation and deprive ordinary people across the country of new treatments, diagnostics and preventative interventions.

With a federal election looming in Australia, both sides of politics are questioning universities’ role in the community. But if political leaders are serious about arresting erosion of universities’ social licence, it would help if they stopped behaving as if it has nothing to do with them.

We need a way of talking about the quality and effectiveness of higher education that is not dependent on research citations, Nobel prizes or the number of young people denied a place. It is in essence a conversation about institutional purpose and culture.

Addressing the legislative and other barriers to the return or reintegration of Syrian scholars from abroad is essential to harnessing the full potential of the Syrian diaspora in shaping the future of a post-Assad Syria and to ensure a democratic and inclusive future.

A new analysis shows that one-third of the world’s top 100 universities lie within 25 kilometres of another leading university and considers the power of geographical proximity in underpinning institutional success, not only within academia but more broadly for the wider communities served.

A recent study suggests that everyday interactions between international students and members of the local community can both limit and enhance a student’s sense of well-being, and underscores the importance of addressing well-being in a relational way, within and across multiple social domains.

The end of some universities’ transitional open access agreements with the publisher Elsevier, due to take effect at the end of 2025, may be a watershed for the United Kingdom’s academic publishing sector and an opportunity to reset the power imbalance between libraries and publishers.

Higher education groupings representing professors and diversity officers are parties to a lawsuit against the US president, which argues that his crusade to erase diversity, equity and inclusion programmes is unconstitutional, threatens academic freedom, and is an affront to the sector’s core values.

By shifting the focus from mentorship and network-building to policy reform, a new initiative in Egypt focusing on higher education legislation aims to create structural changes that ensure sustained female representation in higher education leadership – which is not only a moral imperative but a strategic necessity.

Education for Sustainable Development helps learners to acquire the skills to make decisions on sustainable options that care for the environment and society. As we imagine the future, ESD will be at the centre of creating a world where sustainability lies at the core of our actions and choices.

The latest round of higher education reforms in India, which are portrayed as ‘student-centred’ and upholding the mantra of ‘flexibility’, is likely to accelerate commercialisation, widen inequalities and dilute quality. These reforms could also lead to the disappearance of the colleges and universities we are familiar with today.

Transnational academic solidarity depends in part on the nature and levels of understanding of the crisis abroad, as well as on perceptions of civic responsibility. Further research is needed in the domain to understand how best to support the most vulnerable individuals and communities.

Although promising, Vietnam’s new strategy for higher education appears to overlook several targets related to private higher education, equality and inclusivity, and sustainable development which are essential for shaping a clearer and more comprehensive vision of Vietnam’s higher education system by 2030.

Students who are not bureaucrats of the National Union of Students – which only wants to protect the ideas it believes in – have been failed by the gutting of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act which now excludes students from the complaints scheme.

While many universities claim to value education for education’s sake, they and their agents primarily use work opportunities to attract international students. Moreover, while universities are happy to promote post-study work opportunities, they offer little support for international students returning to their home countries.

Canada’s study permit approvals are on track to fall by 45% in 2024, but not all population groups are equally affected. While visa approvals for students from India, Nigeria and Nepal dropped by over 50%, those for students from Senegal, Guinea and Vietnam grew.

A recent study offers insights into the governance dynamics of transnational higher education partnerships in China, particularly within Sino-United Kingdom joint institutes. They underscore the importance of mutual understanding and adaptability in navigating complex regulatory environments to create resilient frameworks that support long-term success.

The nationwide protests led by Serbian students are rooted in local realities but resonate globally. They highlight the critical role of students and academic institutions in society, especially when political institutions fail to uphold the rule of law and directly endanger citizens’ lives.

A study on internationalisation and student mobility in East Africa, which focused on Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda, has highlighted some of the factors driving mobility in the region and calls for greater cooperation between countries to ensure that intra-Africa mobility practices benefit all partner states.

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos served as a clarion call for urgent action on global challenges, with higher education emerging as a critical pillar for technological and societal transformation. Universities must seize the moment to reimagine priorities and practices.

Three dominant forces – neo-nationalism, tribalisation and technological innovation – are driving the transformation of our world, redefining how universities function, whom they serve and what they represent. By promoting inclusivity, critical dialogue and leveraging technology thoughtfully, higher education can still lead society towards shared progress.

Many higher education institutions at financial risk in Chile have institutional accreditation results that place them between the categories of ‘advanced’ and ‘excellent’, which indicates that the current accreditation processes are not as effective as the affected students and the taxpayers would expect and deserve.

Being aware of the intangible norms that shape the university curriculum and learning experiences is crucial to fostering a learning community that values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds and experiences that students and faculty bring to the university and the workplace.

Fostering lifelong learning is essential for a sustainable future. Adaptable individuals are key to navigating the challenges ahead. By aligning their missions with the Sustainable Development Goals, universities can empower students to actively contribute to sustainable development, paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable world.

Education for Sustainable Development helps learners to acquire the skills to make decisions on sustainable options that care for the environment and society. As we imagine the future, ESD will be at the centre of creating a world where sustainability lies at the core of our actions and choices.

In the coming years, we can expect to see policy directives, legislative instruments and training regimes implemented by governments around the world as the parameters of international agency activity are defined in the national interest but shaped by global forces. Vietnam is one example.

To rebuild higher education in Gaza, we need a new model of intervention based on an equitable partnership between international and local higher education, one marked by solidarity, a relationship of trust and accountability, international and local learning and support and agency building.

The open educational resources movement now stands at a crucial juncture where technological innovation, particularly artificial intelligence, can function as powerful levers in building an inclusive knowledge society. However, moving forward will require careful attention to both immediate challenges and long-term sustainability.

The Ethiopian Education and Training Authority’s recent decision to subject all higher education institutions to its new re-registration requirements is taking its toll on private institutions. At present, 25% of all private institutions in Ethopia have not reapplied for their licences.

Three higher education professionals from Denmark, the Netherlands and Ireland examine the effects of the current wave of nationalism in Europe on (inter)national higher education policies and practices and make suggestions for actions to ensure internationalisation is not restricted or used as a scapegoat.

China’s plan to become a global ‘education power’ underscores its commitment to education as a foundation for national development and global influence. By addressing challenges such as regional disparities, evaluation reform and competition for talent, the plan sets the stage for sustained progress.

An increasingly politicised environment combined with calls for democracy and institutional reform from student activists raises critical questions about how higher education institutions in regions such as Taiwan and Hong Kong can manage tensions and conflicts in governance processes without compromising inclusivity.

Resistance from affected Korean students and alumni underscores how difficult the transformation of higher education institutions can be, especially when it challenges deeply ingrained traditions or institutional identities. However, failing to adapt could lead to closure or a loss of reputation and competitiveness.