Political apparatchiks in the US to vet research grants in the ‘national interest’ ( The Beginning of the End of US Global Research Leadership ?]

[Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju]

Also: Will China’s new STEM visa attract younger talent?

24 August 2025  Issue No: 843 Top Stories UNITED STATES ‘Obscene’ executive order seen as ‘full-on assault on HE’ Nathan M Greenfield United States President Donald J Trump’s latest Executive Order, which replaces the peer-reviewed granting process with political appointees who will approve federally funded research grants, including international sub-grants, has led to widespread criticism from scientists, politicians and academics both at home and abroad. UNITED STATES Hispanic-serving institutions will not be defended Nathan M Greenfield Reports that the United States Department of Justice will not be defending a case brought by the state of Tennessee and an anti-diversity organisation against a programme that provides financial support to Hispanic-Serving Institutions confirm what Latino lawyers were expecting – and have potential implications for other diversity programmes. CHINA New STEM visa will encourage research collaboration Amber Wang China has announced a new visa scheme to attract young international STEM talent to the country, and unlike with other visas, applicants will not need a Chinese host or employer sponsor. This, according to experts, should encourage more short-term exchanges, visiting fellowships, and cooperative research projects. SOUTH AFRICA Black international students are resilient, despite challenges Wachira Kigotho Special Report: War in Gaza PALESTINE Studying under siege: how HE is surviving in Gaza University World News publishes a special report this week, leading with exclusive interviews with the presidents of Gaza’s three main universities. We report on the response to their call for practical support from global higher education, while Ahmed Kamal Junina outlines how education has survived. PALESTINE Gaza universities seek practical international support Brendan O’Malley PALESTINE Struggle to support Gaza universities as war intensifies Paul Cochrane PALESTINE International solidarity must go beyond merely statements Ahmed Kamal Junina News PAKISTAN Pakistani student mobility redefining campus diversity Ameen Amjad Khan The number of international students from countries previously considered a major source of international students is no longer growing at the same pace. With student numbers either stabilising or declining, educational institutions are looking to new populations like Pakistani students to diversify campuses. SOUTH KOREA Landmark law allows payouts to ‘zombie universities’ Yumi Jeung UNITED STATES NAFSA predicts 30% to 40% fall in international students Nathan M Greenfield RUSSIA Intelligence vetting set to deepen Russian HE’s isolation A UWN Reporter HONG KONG ‘Accountability agreements’ raise autonomy concerns Yojana Sharma ETHIOPIA HE sector may benefit from World Trade Organization moves Samuel Getachew and Keith Nuthall FINLAND Full-cost fees fuel inequity in international recruitment Jan Petter Myklebust NORWAY Academics criticise call for curbs on what students study Jan Petter Myklebust UNITED KINGDOM Alarms as high-tariff universities grab UK student market Nic Mitchell SPAIN Spain’s political class faces a credentials crisis Paul Rigg AFRICA Continent gets new masters on violent histories and repair Desmond Thompson Commentary GLOBAL The value of liberal education in a skills-obsessed world Min Bahadur Bista The current era is characterised by rapid technological advancements and significant geopolitical shifts. The future of liberal education depends on its ability to convey that cultivating well-rounded, adaptable and lifelong learners is humanity’s most significant asset for both personal growth and collective progress. EUROPE Could Europe achieve higher impact with a lighter touch? Peter van der Hijden GLOBAL-UNITED KINGDOM Are UK universities entering a new transnational era? Mark Edwards and Cheryl Yu GLOBAL Diversity of peer reviewers counters unfairness – Study Laura Feetham-Walker AFRICA Africa’s universities are selling the future to pay for today Kende Kefale CHINA-UNITED STATES Why US students must engage with China’s tech revolution Denis Simon The Boston College Center for International Higher Education INTERNATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION Summer Issue No. 123, 2025 – A Partner of University World News World Blog GLOBAL Are universities passing the buck when it comes to job readiness? Louise Nicol Governments in many countries are questioning the value of international education, so universities need to do more to link academic study with the world of work and to demonstrate that preparation for the labour market of today and tomorrow is not palmed off onto industry. Q&A SOUTH AFRICA The leadership imperative: service not self-interest Desmond Thompson University World News talks to Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, the new rector and vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University in South Africa, about the evolving role of African universities and the importance of leadership that emphasises service and social impact. SDGs LATIN AMERICA Are universities doing enough to address climate change? Mariana Ceci de França e Silva, Neri de Barros Almeida and Marcelo Knobel Although Latin America accounts for roughly 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is among the regions that are most vulnerable to the effects of global warming. Universities have the unique capacity to tackle climate change, but this requires more than isolated initiatives. MIDDLE EAST-NORTH AFRICA Water and sanitation research SDG soars despite gaps Wagdy Sawahel AFRICA New generation of engaged scientists needed for food security Wachira Kigotho Top Stories from the Last Edition UNITED STATES Trump proposes 90% cut to funding of tribal colleges Nathan M Greenfield The Bureau of Indian Education’s request to the United States Congress to drastically cut funding support for Tribal Colleges and Universities will result in dozens of tertiary education schools losing programmes and students, and having to close their doors, fear the leaders of these institutions. SOUTH AFRICA Completing a PhD in three or four years: A false economy? Burtram C Fielding UNITED STATES-PALESTINE Journal edition cancellation sends a chilling message Aslam Fataar and Najwa Norodien-Fataar GLOBAL Unlocking tomorrow’s scientific solutions today for SDGs Eve Ruwoko INDIA-UNITED STATES Indian students reject US study over visa uncertainty Shuriah Niazi INDONESIA Research integrity risk index flags a dozen universities Kafil Yamin GLOBAL Global higher education meets to shape post-2030 SDGs agenda Karen MacGregor UNITED KINGDOM-GLOBAL How alumni boost university coffers around the world Andrew Wigley Sponsored Article AFRICA Impact Stories 2025: A collective journey of transformation in African HE The Education Collaborative team The Education Collaborative has released its second edition of Impact Stories, a publication showcasing how a growing network of Higher Education Institutions across Africa is driving systemic change through innovation, integrity, and purpose. World Round-up GERMANY Berlin applied sciences universities gain doctorate powers BELGIUM Suspend Israel from Horizon Europe, universities urging UNITED KINGDOM Students: Are you working a full-time job while studying? UNITED STATES HE enrolments grow more than 3% over 2024 – Insights Study UNITED STATES SC allows Trump administration US$783 million research cut UNITED STATES ‘BBB’: 60% of students expect to be affected, says survey KENYA Universities told to update student portals amid confusion UAE Universities must boost practical training – Regulations UNITED KINGDOM Public have no idea of value of top universities – Study UNITED KINGDOM The universities whose students use AI the most – Study UNITED KINGDOM Evacuation secured for some Gaza students – Scores remain IRELAND Visa aid urged for Palestine students approved for Irish HE GREECE Birth rate decline is a threat to universities – Rectors MOROCCO Science, engineering and medicine to get Arabic modules UNITED STATES Smithsonian targeted again, for focus on slavery’s evils UNITED STATES Not too late to apply for college financial aid via FAFSA UNITED STATES DOE layoffs have disrupted student financial aid – Survey UKRAINE Expert: Putin hits Ukraine universities to flaunt impunity SINGAPORE Universities, colleges impose severe vaping penalties AUSTRALIA Use of Wi-Fi network to surveil protest breached privacy UNITED STATES Scientists rally over Trump climate report inaccuracies UNITED STATES Doctors might quickly become dependent on AI – Research UNITED STATES Law deans criticise ABA plan to double required credits UNITED KINGDOM Oxford University researchers make AI safety breakthrough TAIWAN First-year university enrolment on steep decline – Ministry MALAYSIA No current plan to reinstate HE loan defaulter travel ban JAPAN Special HE track offered for ‘foreign roots’ students NIGERIA JAMB urges all universities to comply with new deadlines KENYA First-year families struggle with upfront university fees CANADA Renowned professor fired over sexual harassment complaints UNITED KINGDOM High-profile universities listed among worst on Palestine SYRIA Government and ICESCO explore HE, research cooperation IRAQ New colleges signal country’s education modernisation NIGERIA University has 800 students, 1,200 staff, says minister MOROCCO Niger offered 200 university scholarships for 2025-26 GHANA Lifeline for Ghanaian students in US, hefty debt remains UNITED KINGDOM US$14 billion student housing giant created in new deal UNITED KINGDOM One in five teens take social-media career advice – Study UNITED STATES More than 14,000 urge Harvard to stand firm against Trump UNITED STATES Cancer diagnosis: Ex-MSU student sues for US$100 million UNITED STATES Dec My Dorm supports foster students starting college AUSTRALIA Gazan students get scholarships to start over in Australia

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