April - June 2010

Leading university think tank million+ sets out the ‘University Challenge’ that the new government and parliament face in the coming months.

The coalition Government's decision to apply a cap to the number of economic migrants coming to the UK will pose challenges for many sectors of the economy including higher education, according to Universities UK.

Plans for a higher education (HE) system in Wales that contributes strongly to social justice and supporting a buoyant economy outlined by the universities’ funding body.

Fate of scholarships and enterprise fund will be decided in the autumn. John Morgan reports.

Research Councils UK (RCUK) and Universities UK (UUK)announce the outcomes of a review led by Sir William Wakeham to implement the recommendations made by the Full Economic Costing (fEC) Review published in November 2009.

Responding to the emergency Budget, Universities UK President Professor Steve Smith urged the government not to deal a ‘double blow’ to universities’ capacity to contribute to economic recovery.

Initial results from the Higher Education Academy Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey.

Higher education sector and the wider economy are benefiting from universities' entrepreneurial spirit.

Research Councils UK (RCUK) launches a new publication Impacts: People and Skills celebrating the impact people are having on the economic and social wellbeing of the UK

Five topic areas available for discussion on new Online Discussion Forum page.

RIN to fund case studies that will provide a detailed analysis of how researchers in the physical sciences discover, use, create and manage their information resources.

Universities need to be more careful in their selection of international postgraduates and respond better to their needs if they want to recruit more of them, a conference has heard.

Real comparability in degree standards is “neither feasible nor desirable” in today’s diverse system of HE, argues HEPI report.

At the January 2010 Vitae Policy Forum plans were announced to undertake a review of the recommendations made by the Sir Gareth Roberts’ Review. An expert panel has been formed to conduct the review, with secretariat provided by Research Councils UK (RCUK).

New survey of 16,000 final year students shows only a third of the ‘Class of 2010’ expect to find a graduate job after university.

Responding to comments made by the Business Secretary, Vince Cable, in the Daily Telegraph, Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of the university think-tank million+, has warned Ministers against making easy excuses for a failure to invest in universities and students.

Vitae has published a summary of the analysis of consultation responses.

The CIHE releases ‘Absorbing Research’, a report that explores how collaborations between universities and business can have a positive impact on the economy and wellbeing of the UK.

The RIN’s second annual review, covers project work and other activities during 2009, and gives you a preview of work for 2010.

Help to support ‘greatest discoveries of all time’ survey.

Universities UK and Million+ have submitted evidence to the Independent Review of Higher Education Funding & Student Finance, led by Lord Browne.

RCUK has announced the figures for studentship fees and minimum stipends for 2010-11.

Joint initiative from The National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement and Vitae.

The Commission on the Future of Graduate Education, a joint initiative of CGS and Educational Testing Service (ETS), has released a landmark report on the central role of graduate education in sustaining U.S. competitiveness and innovation in the global economy.

The million+ Higher Education ‘Scorecard’ analyses the key policy issues for the next Government, the positions of the three main parties to date and sets out a ‘Gold Standard’ for higher education policies.

The latest copy of the Higher Education Academy magazine "The Academy Exchange" is now available to download.

Programme's 'poor-quality' rules could harm reputations abroad.

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has published guidance to assist higher education institutions in designing and describing master's degrees.

RCUK has circulated to its contacts within HEIs a statement of its expectations regarding researcher development activities, which clarifies the position regarding future payments and reaffirms that RCUK remains committed to researcher development.