The TopUniversities.com guide to the latest university news from around the world, on 17 June 2013.
Global: Top 100 institutions for science research
Recently released figures from Nature Publishing Group reveal the world’s top 100 universities for scientific research publications in 2012. Harvard University tops the 2012 Nature Publishing Index, followed by Stanford, the Max Planck Society (Germany), Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). The index, based on the number of primary research papers published in Nature-group journals, is dominated by US institutions, which take 33 of the top 50 spots and 56 of the top 100.
UK: Top universities becoming more socially exclusive
A report from the UK’s Social Mobility Commission says the country’s top universities are becoming less socially representative, BBC News reports. Focusing on 24 of the UK’s most competitive universities, the report says the proportions of students from state schools and from disadvantaged backgrounds have decreased at these institutions between 2002-3 and 2011-12. This is in contrast to the wider trend, with UK universities overall becoming more socially representative during this period. The commission calls for top universities to set clear targets on widening access, and to consider students’ backgrounds more during admissions decisions.
Israel: Technion and Tel Aviv University join Coursera
Two more Israeli universities have signed up to join online course platform Coursera, joining around 80 universities worldwide, Haaretz reports. Technion and Tel Aviv University will start by offering free online courses in engineering, archaeology, biology and culture studies. Hebrew University (until now was Israel’s only Coursera member) currently offers only one course but is also planning to launch at least three more courses within the next few months – including one led by bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari.
India: Delhi University announces course based on lessons from cinema
Delhi University’s new foundation program will encourage students to learn from popular films such as 3 Idiots, A Wednesday, 3 Idiots, A Wednesday, English Vinglish, Iqbal, Life of Pi, Rockstar and Wake Up Sid, India Today reports. The foundation curriculum also includes traditional Indian stories such as the Panchtantra fables. The university’s principal says the courses aim to “shrink the gap between industry and academics” and that students will learn useful practical skills including collaboration, listening, and giving and receiving feedback.