China’s plans to grow research and development spending by at least 7 per cent annually over the next five years mark the continued prioritisation of scientific progress despite growing economic concerns, according to academics. Tash Mosheim reports #AcademicSky https://ow.ly/jxem50YxIJI

Arts education in ‘tremendous’ demand across Asia, LASALLE president tells Tash Mosheim https://ow.ly/fubQ50YwLpQ

China’s ambition to become world’s leading HE sector by 2035 will only be achieved if employment, inequality and governance concerns addressed, says new book https://ow.ly/zwwO50YwQwO

Afghan Chevening hopeful ‘devastated’ by study visa ban; campaigners call for ‘more structured’ approach to helping students in crisis zones after UK’s shock visa block leaves applicants in limbo https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/afghan-chevening-hopeful-devastated-study-visa-ban

Leaders of universities in China increasingly have more academic qualifications and international experience, but political control remains central to their appointment, according to a new study https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/chinese-university-leadership-changing-party-ties-still-key

Indian universities have been urged to prioritise student mental health and well-being, with new measures requiring them to strengthen support systems across campuses, reports Tash Mosheim #EduSky #mentalhealth https://ow.ly/RoLB50YvHri

Thousands of Iranian students applying to study abroad risk missing out as the country’s internet blackout blocks their ability to access admissions tests and visa processes www.timeshighereducation.com/news/call-ex... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social

Thousands of Iranian students applying to study abroad risk missing out as the country’s internet blackout blocks their ability to access admissions tests and visa processes amid the ongoing war with the US and Israel, reports Tash Mosheim #EduSky #Iran https://ow.ly/fKXB50YtvxR

South Korea’s latest wave of university mergers reflects how its higher education system is increasingly being driven by institutional survival rather than policy priorities, academics say. Tash Mosheim reports https://ow.ly/NMqG50YtoEC

Amid backlash from higher-caste groups, the Indian Supreme Court has stayed new rules intended to toughen up universities’ anti-discrimination procedures. But is this the start of a US-style pushback against positive discrimination – or just tidying up ‘vague’ drafting? https://ow.ly/wOlu50YsJGT

Indian universities’ careers offices need to be judged on more than salaries and placement rates, higher education leaders have said, as employers look for graduates who can adapt quickly to changing roles rather than simply secure a first job, writes Tash Mosheim #EduSky https://ow.ly/GKiC50YsN9V

Universities in Bangladesh and Pakistan forced to close campuses and move teaching online as governments introduce emergency measures to conserve electricity and fuel amid Iran war www.timeshighereducation.com/news/asian-c... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social

Universities warned about growing industry of academic appeal services that has emerged to help students navigate and sometimes evade misconduct processes, often operating in a “regulatory and ethical grey zone” www.timeshighereducation.com/news/academi... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social

Growing industry of companies offering students help in navigating academic misconduct proceedings operates in ‘regulatory and ethical grey zone’, research finds. Tash Mosheim reports https://ow.ly/Quyl50YrQHv

UK universities cannot be “naive” or “too trusting” as they embark on risky forays into India, a conference has heard. Tash Mosheim reports #AcademicSky #TNE #EduSky https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-sector-urged-approach-indian-tne-sceptics-hat

Hong Kong’s government has unveiled plans to create a new university cluster in its flagship Northern Metropolis development, making three sites available for new campuses, reports Tash Mosheim #EduSky #HigherEd https://ow.ly/jY7O50Ym0OY

Kazakhstan will replace its two-decade-old national university entrance exam with a new modular, skills-based assessment developed in partnership with US testing giant Educational Testing Service. Tash Mosheim reports #EduSky https://ow.ly/nLk250Ylgso

Bangladeshi academics fear gains made under the caretaker government formed following the 2024 student-led uprising could be undone by the country’s new government, reports Tash Mosheim #EduSky https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/bangladeshi-scholars-fear-loss-new-freedoms-after-election

In Iran, students returning for a new semester reignite demonstrations and clash with pro-government groups, weeks after thousands killed or detained by regime #highered #EduSky https://ow.ly/NSsl50YkiMW

Three Japanese universities cleared to exceed foreign student recruitment limits by up to 5 per cent as Tokyo pushes to compete for global talent. @tashmosheim.bsky.social reports #EduSky #highered

The outgoing head of a pioneering Japanese research institute dogged by staff discontent has insisted it was her decision to step down as leader – and that the initiative can still be a success https://ow.ly/PQPZ50Yi9O7

Chinese universities face sanctions if they fail to probe wrongdoing but critics say latest integrity push does nothing to tackle root causes of problem. Tash Mosheim reports https://ow.ly/u60T50YieHm

Trinity Laban settles employment tribunal brought by former lecturer Martin Speake, who said he was forced to resign over an email he sent contesting “critical race theory” www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jazz-le... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social

Parents get more involved in girls’ study choices, according to new research. Tash Mosheim reports #EduSky #HigherEd https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/parents-get-more-involved-girls-study-choices

Thai political parties are angling to take control of the higher education ministry as part of coalition negotiations following the country’s recent general election. Tash Mosheim reports https://ow.ly/ftbw50YgIro

Scholars still inside Afghanistan describe administrative purges, censorship, exclusion and fear as merit-based systems collapse under Taliban ideological controls. Tash Mosheim reports https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-afghanistan-no-longer-functioning

South Korea has barred 20 institutions from issuing student visas for a year after finding failures in their oversight of foreign students, as the government tightens scrutiny amid rapid growth in inbound enrolments. Tash Mosheim reports #EduSky #HigherEd #visas https://ow.ly/8M6v50YeqoG

The number of Indian students travelling overseas for higher education has fallen for the third consecutive year, according to new figures released by the government, marking a sharp reversal after a post-pandemic surge in outbound mobility, reports Tash Mosheim #EduSky https://ow.ly/HB2X50YepGA

Artificial intelligence is a “great equaliser” that will help countries such as Kazakhstan compete with global research powerhouses, according to Sayasat Nurbek, Kazakh minister of science and higher education. Tash Mosheim reports #edusky https://ow.ly/URov50Y6spQ

Fears are growing that India is running out of academic talent as universities race to expand to meet aggressive enrolment targets. Tash Mosheim reports #academicsky #edusky https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/rethink-academic-model-india-suffers-talent-shortages

The head of The University of Tokyo Hospital has resigned after a string of bribery cases involving staff which have intensified scrutiny on the governance of one of Japan’s most prominent healthcare institutions. Tash Mosheim reports #academicsky https://ow.ly/28zf50Y4Q76

Japan’s new prime minister has been urged to follow through on promises to reform the country’s universities after gambling with a snap election she hopes will secure her a direct mandate. Tash Mosheim reports #academicsky #edusky https://ow.ly/hjS950Y4u5E

Can Hong Kong’s internationalisation push attract non-Chinese students? Tash Mosheim reports #edusky #academicsky https://ow.ly/JV5Y50Y1Q6P

Coventry University is planning to open a second campus in Kazakhstan www.timeshighereducation.com/news/coventr... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social

Some UK universities were “over-optimistic” and expanded too quickly during the boom in international student numbers, @universitiesuk.bsky.social chief executive @viviennestern.bsky.social tells #bett2026 www.timeshighereducation.com/news/rapid-e... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social

Foreign academics working in South Korea say they face entrenched exclusion, pay disparities and opaque evaluation systems that are undermining universities’ drive to internationalise, reports Tash Mosheim #academicsky https://ow.ly/5h6A50Y0ELe

Institutions reliant on cross-subsidy model need to learn how to adapt to policy changes more quickly, says Universities UK chief. @tashmosheim.bsky.social reports #AcademicSky #highered

Iran’s universities have been weakened by decades of political repression and isolation from the global academy, but the system has not been entirely emptied of the expertise needed to help rebuild the country if political conditions change. Tash Mosheim writes #academicsky https://ow.ly/UlOV50XY7Fy

China introduces standardised admissions exam for international students www.timeshighereducation.com/news/china-a... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social

China’s introduction of a standardised admissions exam for international students shows that efforts to build a world-class university system matter more to the country than increasing enrolments, according to experts. Tash Mosheim reports #academicsky #edusky https://ow.ly/Ir5v50XWfas

An Iranian student has been shot dead during anti-government demonstrations in Tehran, as universities continue to face disruption amid an ever more restrictive regime response to the protests www.timeshighereducation.com/news/iranian... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social

Universities across Iran forced online as nationwide protests spread, prompting warnings of accelerating academic brain drain unless unrest leads to meaningful political change www.timeshighereducation.com/news/iranian... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social

Australian antisemitism probe ‘would lack credibility’ without campus focus, reports Tash Mosheim #academicsky #edusky https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/antisemitism-probe-would-lack-credibility-without-campus-focus

Iranian campuses have been closed in an attempt to quell student unrest, with experts warning of risk of further brain drain unless the protests deliver meaningful political change. Tash Mosheim reports https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/iranian-scholars-fear-tougher-clampdown-protests-spread

Oxford University Press apologises for “unverified statements” in a book about a 17th-century Indian ruler, more than two decades after its publication triggered protests, a ban and criminal complaints www.timeshighereducation.com/news/oup-apo... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social

The University of Liverpool has appointed Richard Grose as the first provost of its new Bengaluru campus, as the Russell Group institution moves closer to launching its first full overseas branch in India. Tash Mosheim reports #edusky #academicsky https://ow.ly/MlxJ50XSZC4

English universities are helping Pakistan to develop its own Teaching Excellence Framework to recognise and improve teaching quality across its higher education sector. Tash Mosheim reports #TEF #edusky https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/first-teaching-excellence-framework-planned-pakistan

Student protests in Dhaka have been suspended after the education ministry promised progress on long-delayed plans to establish a new institution, reports Tash Mosheim #academicsky #edusky https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/bangladesh-students-pause-protests-over-new-dhaka-university-plan

The emergence of courses about Korean culture, including K-pop, at US institutions highlights the “incredible” growth of the field and will provide a gateway to discuss wider topics, including global politics, according to scholars. Tash Mosheim reports #edusky #academicsky https://ow.ly/q6Hb50XJyLY

Academics in China are significantly more likely to respond to students who are studying at elite universities than to those attending more run-of-the-mill institutions, a new study has found. Tash Mosheim reports #academicsky https://ow.ly/hLt250XGYSb