Higher education

The Trump administration plans to charge international students $70,000 for work authorization, according to a Reuters report. The proposal would impose a steep new cost on foreign graduates seeking permission to work in the United States, drawing attention to its likely impact on universities and the ability of international students to stay and work after completing their studies.

Universities are hiring philosophers specializing in artificial intelligence, according to Inside Higher Ed. The recruitment push reflects growing demand for scholars who can examine the ethical, moral and conceptual questions raised by AI as the technology spreads through research, teaching and everyday life. Commenters in higher education are watching how philosophy departments adapt to this surge in AI-focused positions.

Enem 2026 registration figures are being reported, with Pernambuco confirming 281,200 registered candidates, of whom 212,000 requested the fee waiver. The numbers point to continued strong demand for Brazil's national university entrance exam, which remains the main gateway to public higher education. Coverage is focusing on the high share of students applying for free registration in the state.

Claude, the AI assistant developed by Anthropic, is now available to students, faculty and staff at Emory University in Atlanta. The announcement means the university community can use the chatbot for coursework, research and administrative tasks. The move follows a broader trend of universities partnering with AI companies to give their communities access to generative AI tools.

A new review is drawing attention to Dark Academia – How Universities Die by Peter Fleming, a book analysing how the neoliberal model has eroded universities. The reviewer, who ordered it from a local bookshop, describes it as an account of the decline of academic values alongside the rise of managerialism. The book is sparking discussion about the state of higher education.

Students in Albania are holding protests against government corruption, adding to a wave of public anger over graft and lack of accountability. Demonstrators are calling for investigations into corrupt officials and reforms in higher education. The rallies have drawn support from other citizens, and many online are comparing the movement to earlier anti-government protests that shook the country.

The Goldwater Institute has published a report examining how taxpayer money flows into political activism at public universities. The piece argues that public funds are being used to support ideological advocacy within higher education institutions. The claims have drawn attention in debates over university funding, free speech, and the politicisation of campuses, though specific figures and cases are not detailed here.

A Gallup survey indicates that employers continue to trust higher education despite the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. The findings suggest fears that AI would undermine the value of college degrees have not materialised, with hiring managers still viewing graduates' qualifications as credible and relevant. The topic is drawing attention among educators and workforce analysts weighing how AI may reshape skills demand.

An essay in The Hedgehog Review examines Alfred, Lord Tennyson's religious faith, framing it as a 'nobler type' of belief. The piece appears in an issue devoted to the fading promise of higher education, suggesting Tennyson's struggle with doubt and belief is being used to reflect on the spiritual and intellectual condition of the modern university.

The Florida Board of Education has approved a rule barring undocumented students from enrolling in postsecondary and dual enrollment programs at state institutions. The decision affects access to college courses, including programs that let high school students earn credits. It has drawn attention from educators and advocates concerned about the impact on immigrant students seeking higher education in Florida.

Educators and students gathered at the Federal University of Bahia in Salvador to debate the direction of higher education in Brazil. The discussion, promoted with support from the Bahia state government, focused on challenges facing universities and education policy. With no major developments reported, interest appears to stem from ongoing national conversations about the funding and future of Brazilian universities.

J.P. Morgan examines how leaders in higher education are managing financial pressures while still pursuing growth. The piece looks at the budgetary challenges universities face and strategies institutions are using to balance cost control with expansion. It adds to ongoing discussion about funding strain across the higher education sector.

Texas Christian University is seeing a widening gender gap in its student body, a pattern that reflects a broader shift across American higher education. Nationally, women now make up a growing majority of college students while male enrollment continues to decline, and TCU's experience is being framed as part of that national trend.

Higher education institutions are updating their programmes to meet the demands of digital fashion, as reported by Fashion United. Fashion schools are reshaping curricula to cover digital design tools, virtual garments and 3D technologies, aiming to prepare graduates for an industry increasingly focused on digital products and online experiences alongside traditional clothing production.

An essay outlines four guiding principles for reforming higher education comprehensively, arguing that piecemeal fixes have failed and that change must address funding, access, accountability and institutional purpose together. The piece has prompted discussion among education commentators about whether such broad reform is politically achievable, and what a coherent alternative to the current university model would look like.

Discussion is turning to the rising cost of college and the growing burden of student loans. Coverage of paying for higher education highlights tuition increases and the financial strain on students and families weighing how to fund a degree.

Stony Brook University has highlighted the work of its experts examining how artificial intelligence can transform classrooms and patient care. Faculty across disciplines are exploring AI's potential benefits and challenges in teaching, research and clinical settings. The university's coverage reflects growing institutional interest in how AI will reshape higher education and medicine.

A Washington Post opinion column addresses how colleges can be stopped from discriminating by race, weighing in on the ongoing debate over admissions practices and affirmative action in higher education. The piece comes amid continued legal and political fights in the United States over whether universities may consider race when selecting students, a question that has shaped campus admissions policy nationwide.

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors has appointed Richard Linton as the university's 17th president. The announcement came through Virginia Tech's official news channel. Linton now takes the helm of one of Virginia's largest public research universities, and the appointment is being noted across higher education circles.

Private higher education institutions in France, including Stanislas, Audencia and the Catholic University of Lille, have been blockaded by student activists. Le Figaro Étudiant reports that many of those taking part came from outside the schools, targeting private establishments as part of a wider student movement. The actions have disrupted classes and raised questions about who is driving the protests.

The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case from Maryland concerning the use of race in school admissions. The decision comes as the court continues to reshape its jurisprudence on affirmative action following its 2023 ruling striking down race-conscious admissions in higher education. News outlets across the country are carrying the announcement, and the case is expected to reignite debate over how far schools may consider race when selecting students.

Stanford Social Innovation Review has published a piece titled 'College for All', focusing on expanding access to higher education. The article contributes to ongoing debates about making college affordable and attainable for all students, particularly those from underserved communities. Details of the article's specific arguments are limited, but the topic aligns with wider conversations on education equity and college access policies.

Universities worldwide are debating how to build AI literacy into higher education, moving beyond one-off workshops toward embedding it across curricula, staff training and assessment design. The discussion centres on how institutions can prepare students and academics to use artificial intelligence critically and responsibly, rather than simply banning or ignoring it.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month has put a spotlight on the growing digital threats facing colleges and universities. Universities hold large volumes of personal, financial and research data, making them attractive targets for ransomware, phishing and other cyberattacks, and the campaign is drawing attention to the sector's cybersecurity vulnerabilities.