European higher education policy
EU focus on fields most closely linked to economic gains a ‘growing threat’ to other disciplines, leaders fear
Trust in science not in crisis, researchers say, but those speaking out on politically contested issues ‘vulnerable’
After Péter Magyar’s landslide election victory, we discuss why it might not be easy for him to restore independence and academic freedom to Hungarian higher education
Organisation to resume role as national agency for study abroad programme after Capita handed oversight of Turing Scheme
Calls to ditch AI because it is destroying students’ analytical skills ignore institutions’ questionable record at developing complex reasoning, says Ian Richardson
New vision for higher education in Hungary needed after defeat of populist leader, says head of Central European University
With polls predicting defeat for Viktor Orbán in Sunday’s elections there are hopes that controversial governance reforms – copied by Donald Trump and other populist politicians – will be abolished. Yet not all scholars are convinced that reversing a decade of contested legislation criticised for restricting academic freedom would be straightforward, says Seher Asaf
Female early career scholars found to be ‘largely absent’ from higher-level governance structures in many European countries
Universities set to miss out on promised funding after EU fraud office finds ‘irregularities’ at body that supports HE-business collaborations
Decades-old programmes among those being lost under new system that prioritises each institution’s traditional strengths
Countries representing a quarter of bloc’s population receive just one in 20 grants, finds new report
Early data from Germany, France and elsewhere show rising interest from international researchers but experts warn that a lack of career progression could hamper efforts
Drop in institutional autonomy of 50 per cent since 2015 means country is now only rated as ‘moderate’ by experts
Two draft parliamentary reports seek to protect independence of key bodies but universities say more clarity is needed on directionality and defence research
France’s 75 public universities are all running a deficit this year, as researchers warn budget cuts put science at risk
As proposals for the future Horizon Europe are scrutinised by the European Parliament, we discuss likely changes to the seven-year funding programme and whether it can support a coalition of like-minded powers amid the current geopolitical upheaval
Commission ambitions diverge from major issues universities face, leading sector figures tell parliament event
Universities launch new programmes to train engineers after coming under pressure to better meet continent’s skills needs
Generation raised in digital-first classrooms questioning importance of books, academics say, but others believe issue has been overblown
Universities want ‘clear division’ between FP10 and competitiveness fund to protect frontier research
Country to vote whether to restrict immigration if numbers continue to grow, potentially affecting international students and researchers
Government mandates restricting which disciplines universities can offer jeopardises internationally recognised courses, says worst-affected institution
New measures only offer temporary relief as state resources fail to keep pace with rising student numbers and increased costs, say leaders
Academics counting cost of Donald Trump’s threats to take over the territory say ‘the damage is done’ and impact on research will linger for years
Only 9.6 per cent of applicants awarded coveted Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions fellowships, with many postdoctoral researchers saying the programme has become too competitive
Grande école embarks on biggest redevelopment for more than 50 years amid changing enrolment patterns and disruptions to traditional teaching models
After years of turbulence in the higher education sector, Dutch universities say the incoming government marks ‘change of direction’
A globally open Horizon Europe could play a key role in realising Mark Carney’s vision of an alliance of middle powers, says Jan Palmowski
Queen’s University Belfast to drop name of US senator George Mitchell from its peace centre, and remove bust from campus
Borderless market for research across the EU seen as ‘major opportunity’ but key groups fear ‘overly restrictive measures’
Former department store transformed into an institution focused on climate, energy, digitalisation and security
International partners step up offers of help as editors battle power cuts, brain drain and ongoing uncertainties of conflict to keep research publishing alive
Enrolments up as universities find ways to connect with country’s huge diaspora, but deputy minister fears many students and academics who have been out of the country for so long unlikely to ever return
Quarter of institutions admit they don’t know if PhD candidates are working with AI, while only a small proportion say they are coming up with guidelines on its use
Big cut in enrolments seen as way of modernising country’s universities but some warn further changes are needed to stop students lingering for years
Current proposals would limit access to studying abroad and prevent creation of new scholarships in priority fields, European universities have warned
Fear of reprisals and stigma leads doctoral students to stay in unhealthy supervisory relationships, says Johan Kristian Andreasen
Restrictions on international intake and decline in domestic school-leavers see undergraduate enrolments shrink
Misuse of ‘cumulative PhDs’ should prompt debate over whether stacking research papers is really equivalent to writing a dissertation, says Brian Bloch
Proposed ‘one city, one faculty’ approach, reduced degree length and hostility towards international students prompt alarm
New health and welfare payments mandated in country’s budget will leave institutions ‘unable to fulfil their mission’, scholars say
D66 election victory encouraging, sector leaders say, but financial and demographic pressures remain
Zhanna Andreasyan defends £2 billion relocation project from criticism, saying it will help Armenia move out of the shadows of its Soviet history
Former Canadian opposition leader Michael Ignatieff says no sector secure after what has happened in the US
A policy that locks in more process and expense while the public sector stands still doesn’t protect students: it protects the status quo, says Conrado Briceño
Research into impact of Norwegian reforms that saw several institutions join together indicates changes had little impact on perceptions of quality
Both internal and external board members agree on priorities for institutions, countering view that outsiders favour different approach
Legal protections and sustainable funding key for Europe to be ‘beacon of open and free science’, guild says
Portraying ChatGPT as a playground for plagiarists is a timid response to AI’s ability to enhance research in all subjects, argues Agnieszka Piotrowska
Regulation proposed after concerns about quality but critics say it presents ‘individual solutions to collective problem’
Government urged to address shortfall in funding for Irish universities ‘immediately’ amid high staff-student ratios
Fears recent tuition fee hike for ‘oversaturated’ subjects will limit access but improvements in autonomy and accreditation hailed
