A look at the Augar review, Cern’s plans and inequalities in New Zealand.
UK
Higher education experts have asked whether graduates could be shielded from the worst of the coronavirus recession by taking an extra term at university, funded by the government. And university research needs to be funded “openly, generously and strategically” as the UK emerges from the coronavirus pandemic, the author of influential Augar review of post-18 education funding has said.
Universities would be at even greater risk of financial collapse if they are forced to reimburse students’ tuition fees as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the president of Universities UK has warned.
Members of the UK’s science and higher education community have slammed the prime minister’s “confusing” plan to end lockdown as they await further clarity. People in the UK want data on coronavirus to be openly available and are more likely to listen to expert advice from scientists and researchers, an opinion poll has suggested.
The European Commission has awarded the first Seals of Excellence to innovative proposals for combating Covid-19.
Europe’s nuclear research organisation Cern will begin to ease its Covid-19 restrictions on 18 May, it has announced.
Pressure is building on the Danish government to permit universities to allow more researchers back into university laboratories after the country eased Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in shops.
Australia
The University of Sydney has defended a research collaboration with China on the Covid-19 virus, following an attack by a populist tabloid news outlet on one of its top scientists.
New Zealand
The coronavirus crisis has exposed “significant” inequalities in New Zealand’s health system, including a continuing lack of access to basic medical services for people living in poverty, a leading New Zealand health academic has said.
The University of Otago has joined an international research project investigating the impact of Covid-19 isolation and social distancing on people suffering from mood disorders such as depression.