The TopUniversities.com guide to the latest higher education news from around the world, on 14 May 2013.
Global: Call for more balanced student mobility between Asia & Europe
A conference of education ministers from across Asia and Europe will discuss ways of promoting more balanced student mobility between the two regions, University World News reports. The annual Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) has in the past highlighted the fact that about 15 times more students move from Asia to Europe, compared to those moving from Europe to Asia. Abdul Rahim Bin Mohammed Nur, Malaysia’s secretary general of higher education, used his keynote speech to call for better information on higher education in Asian countries, more compatible academic cycles and credit transfer systems.
New Zealand: Investigation into essay cheating claims
New Zealand’s Qualifications Authority, currently investigating a company accused of selling university essays, says it had already received several complaints about online business Assignment4U, dating back to 2009. The website has recently been brought to public attention by newspaper The Sunday Star-Times, which reported using it to purchase an essay for NZ$270, Stuff reports. The Qualifications Authority has the power to prosecute anyone providing cheating services, with those found guilty facing a fine of up to NZ$10,000 (about US$8,250).
France: Ongoing controversy over plan to allow teaching in English
Controversy over plans to allow French universities to teach in foreign languages continues, as ministers prepare to debate changes to the law this month. So far, universities have been banned from teaching in languages other than French, except for in the case of specific foreign language courses, The Guardian reports. The government plans to lift this ban, which has prompted strong opposition from some academics and the Académie Française, the national organization which advises on all matters relating to the French language.
Norway: Minister says lack of elite institutions ‘deliberate’
Norway’s education minister, Kristin Halvorsen, says the country has “deliberately chosen not to build elite institutions”, instead focusing on establishing “world class research groups”, The Foreigner reports. Halvorsen was speaking in response to discussion of the fact that Norwegian universities do not appear at the very top tier of many of the major international rankings, including the recently released QS World University Rankings by Subject. While stressing the country’s successes to date, she also said, “We can do even better. We want our universities to become more profiled players on the international arena.”
US: Public college presidents earn average of US$441,392
The median earnings of US public college leaders reached $441,392 in 2011-12, reports The Chronicle. This represents an increase of 4.7% compared to the previous year. Four college presidents earned more than $1 million, with the highest amount, $2.9m, going to Graham B. Spanier (largely due to severance pay and compensation after he was sacked). Most of the highest earners received a combination of high salaries and retirement benefits or deferred-compensation – an amount they receive only after staying in the job for a certain period of time.