Requirement that universities produce ‘world standard’ research in at least half of fields taught encouraged too many ‘broad-based’ institutions, critics say, but its demise could end up hurting some
Fears country is going ‘back to the old days’ as minister declines to explain why projects blocked, and researchers wait months longer for funding decisions
With the 35 recommendations of the Strategic Examination of Research and Development made public this week, we discuss how many of these long-hoped-for reforms are likely to become a reality
Increase in PhD stipends, efforts to estimate true cost of research and reforms to key grant schemes included in long-awaited recommendations from review panel
Last month, the ߣߣƵn Academy of Science condemned the country’s ongoing review of research for ignoring a long-term funding decline that has left basic research at ‘breaking point’. Was that a rhetorical overstatement or a sober statement of fact? Five researchers offer their own perspectives
The panel’s overriding concern is to ensure that research is used productively. But observers worry that pushing universities to specialise in centrally determined ‘focus areas’ risks inadvertently turning them, in effect, into government agencies. John Ross reports
Country will lack the expertise to achieve next-generation priorities if funding left at mercy of undergraduate enrolments, Academy of Science analysis finds
Economic reform begins with injecting order into the hotchpotch of research programmes, and enticing more locals into higher study, according to ߣߣƵn body