11-20 of 1499 results

  • Newspaper

    Employees ring corruption, nepotism alarm bells

    Pakistan

    Press

    Safdar Rizvi - The Express Tribune

    Employees within the Sindh College Education Department allege corruption and nepotism in the recent rapid promotions of lower-ranked workers to higher positions. Around 185 promotions from Grades 1-3 to Grade 11 occurred under relaxed rules, requiring only a short computer-based typing test, bypassing verified Computer Certificates. Sources claim the promoted individuals lacked computer skills and that bribery influenced the process. Some employees, who attempted the test, expressed frustration as those with computer expertise failed while those without passed, questioning the legitimacy of the process.

  • Newspaper

    How to tackle global academic corruption

    UK, Switzerland, Ukraine, Russian Federation, Kenya, USA

    Press

    Elena Denisova-Schmidt - University World News

    In the book "Corruption in Higher Education: Global Challenges and Responses," 34 experts shed light on various corruption issues in higher education: contract cheating and outsourcing assignments; ambivalent hiring processes; fake universities that take various forms, from profit-driven schemes to students buying degrees without fulfilling obligations; corruption research involves scholars, administrators, and agencies, united against academic corruption. Future steps include integrity theory development, examining secondary education's impact, leveraging technology, avoiding social group stigmatization, and fostering global cooperation.

  • Newspaper

    UNISA quality audit highlights erosion of senate authority

    South Africa

    Press

    Alicia James and Sharon Dell - University World News

    The University of South Africa (UNISA) underwent a quality audit by the Council on Higher Education (CHE), which raised concerns about ambiguous roles between the Senate and Council, potentially infringing on academic authority. The audit highlighted governance issues, late registrations impacting student success, and communication gaps with students. UNISA has submitted an improvement plan to address these concerns and awaits feedback from the CHE.

  • Newspaper

    UK universities still taking cash payments for fees ‘is money laundering risk’

    UK

    Press

    Sally Weale - The Guardian

    A study reveals that a significant number of UK universities continue to accept millions in cash for tuition and accommodation payments, making them vulnerable to money laundering risks. Around 22 universities still accepted cash payments, with the total reaching £12m in 2019-20. The research highlights concern about anti-money-laundering guidelines not being strictly followed and universities not reporting suspicious activity, potentially endangering staff and students. The study calls for stricter legislation to address these vulnerabilities.

  • Newspaper

    Legal changes aim to improve private university governance

    Bangladesh

    Press

    Mohiuddin Alamgir - University World News

    The government in Bangladesh is working on a new law to tighten regulations for private universities, aiming to enhance transparency and governance. The proposed amendments include a requirement for one-third of board trustees to be academics, restrictions on trustees' benefits, and empowering authorities to appoint observers at universities facing disruptions. The draft law also introduces quality assurance cells to maintain education standards, emphasizing the need for better governance amid concerns over corruption and irregularities in private higher education.

  • Newspaper

    Officials suspended, arrested over alleged scholarship fraud

    Libya

    Press

    Wagdy Sawahel - University World News

    The Libyan Attorney General's office has ordered the arrest of officials from the Ministry of Higher Education’s scholarships office in Türkiye, accused of misappropriating scholarships worth about €14 million (US$15 million) for Libyan students. The investigation revealed irregularities impacting 757 students studying in Türkiye due to violations such as delays in studies, exceeding degree time limits, and awarding grants to officials' children who already received education benefits. The Prime Minister suspended scholarships abroad and removed the Minister's authority over scholarship approvals.

  • Newspaper

    Big data research poses new challenges to ethics committees

    South Africa

    Press

    Nezerith Cengiz, Siti Kabanda, Tonya Esterhuizen and Keymanthri Moodley - University World News

    A new study highlights the necessity of training Research Ethics Committees (RECs) in Sub-Saharan Africa to manage the ethical and legal complexities inherent in data-intense research, particularly concerning data protection and sharing. Findings reveal a lack of awareness among REC members regarding existing laws at the national level, possibly resulting in research data crossing borders without appropriate agreements or permits. Establishing transparent and standardized data governance could foster shared ethical values and ensure responsible big data research practices across the subcontinent.

  • Newspaper

    Protest over lack of transparency in scholarships process

    Mauritania

    Press

    Wagdy Sawahel - University World News

    Students protested in front of the Mauritanian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for concerns over transparency in awarding foreign scholarships. A wide range of medical and baccalaureate students were excluded while 90 out of 200 scholarships offered by the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation have been retained. The lack of transparency in scholarship distribution aligns with broader corruption problems seen in African higher education systems, including nepotism and favoritism.

  • Newspaper

    Study calls for charter for the ethical use of AI in HE

    Egypt

    Press

    Wagdy Sawahe - University World News

    A study emphasizes the need for AI ethical charters in academic settings, aiming to ensure responsible and fair AI applications across research, teaching, and learning domains. Key voices highlighted the importance of such charters in promoting responsible AI use, transparency, accountability, and the mitigation of biases or ethical concerns. However, some academics underscored that implementing a charter alone might not suffice, emphasizing the need to integrate ethical values into foundational teaching.

  • Newspaper

    Congress Democrats introduce bill to end legacy admissions

    USA

    Press

    Washington Examiner - University World News

    The Fair College Admissions for Students Act aims to end legacy admissions in universities, removing preferential treatment for applicants with ties to the school. This move is seen as an effort to create fairer college admission practices by addressing the tradition's benefit to affluent white individuals and the elite school system's reliance on such practices. The bill's introduction follows the Supreme Court's recent decision to end affirmative action, which considered race among factors in student admissions.

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