Jack Keen

Edinburgh Vice-Chancellor who has backed £140m of cuts admits he ‘doesn’t know’ his own salary

Edinburgh’s Vice-Chancellor, Sir Peter Mathieson, has admitted that he doesn’t know the “exact figure” of his annual salary, reported to be in the region of £400,000, despite backing over £140 million of cuts at the university. Mathieson’s comments, which were made in front of a Scottish Parliament education committee, sparked...
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Posted Jun. 23, 2025

Consistent contextual offers among plans to attract more disadvantaged students to study

Plans to improve access to universities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds have been unveiled, including a consistent approach to contextual offers and new finance packages. Universities UK (UUK), a representative body for 141 different universities, revealed the plans for students as part of their ‘Access to Success’ action plan. It...
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Posted Jun. 7, 2025

Coventry University’s Assembly Gardens to become hotel and shopping complex in multi-million-pound transformation

The University of Coventry plans to transform the former site of Assembly Festival Gardens into a multi-million-pound complex featuring hotels, shops, and hundreds of new homes. Assembly Festival Gardens, situated on Little Park Street in Coventry, near the city centre, was an outdoor space that served as a venue for...
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Posted Jun. 4, 2025

Labour to crack down on international students applying for asylum after Reform success

Labour has introduced plans to curb immigration figures by cracking down on international student visas following the success of Reform in the local elections. The Government is proposing to reduce legal migration into the UK, imposing a levy on student income and tightening visa rules. According to the Home Office,...
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Posted May. 31, 2025

Over 4 in 10 universities facing financial deficit by summer, as OfS prepares for university closures

Four in ten universities across the country are facing a financial deficit, as drops in international student recruitment and inflationary pressures place higher costs on universities.  The Office for Students (OfS), the regulatory body for universities, is making preparations to force closures and staff cuts.  The financial strain on universities...
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Posted May. 24, 2025

Ethnic diversity in UK academia still far short of student representation figures

The latest Ethnic Representation Index report (ERI) has recently been released, shedding light on the mixed state of diversity in UK educational institutions. Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) representation among academics rose  to 20.2% in the 2022-23 academic year, compared with 18.5% the year before, marking a significant improvement....
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Posted May. 21, 2025

“Unprecedented volume” of antisemitism at UK universities prompts calls for public inquiry

Calls are growing for a public inquiry into antisemitic abuse at British university campuses, as one minister says that the problem has got “out of control”. Jewish university students have reported increasing incidents of verbal abuse, threats of violence, and a tone of indifference in recent months, with many calling...
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Posted May. 8, 2025

Row between Trump administration and Harvard deepens after university rejects policy change demands

President Donald Trump’s unprecedented campaign against America’s higher education institutions continues, as Harvard University maintains its refusal to adapt to policy demands.  Since his inauguration in January, President Trump dismantled the Department of Education and is now focusing his attentions on Harvard.  The Trump administration kept a watchful eye on Harvard...
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Posted May. 5, 2025

Myanmar earthquake – a nation in crisis amid catastrophe

On March 28 2025, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck through the heart of Myanmar and Thailand. It was the most powerful earthquake in the region since 1912, devastating central regions like Mandalay and Sagaing. With over 3,600 people already confirmed dead, more than 5,000 injured, and hundreds still missing, the...
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Posted May. 1, 2025