Drop in Applications for PhDs as a Result of Brexit

Drop in applications for PhDs as a result of Brexit

The Guardian reports that there is a significant drop in applications from bright EU PhD candidates in Britain. Overall, 16 per cent of Russell Group PhD studenst are from the EU, but in some cases it even goes up to 27 per cent (e.g. mathematics). Data from Russell Group universities shows 9 per cent fall in non-British EU students from this year. Michael Arthur, president and provost of University College London stated: “I try to reassure academics but it takes time to rebuild trust. There was a long period in which European citizens felt they were being used as bargaining chips. ” Many students are concerned that their qualification might not be recongized in Europe after Brexit. Another important issue represents uncertainty over British access to EU research funds after 2020. 

Technology hubs to be built at Nigerian universities

Nigerian government revealed a plan to build technology hubs in their universities as a way of promoting science and technology development, reports Daily Post. President Muhammadu Buhari stated that technology hubs are important for enhancing student’s creativity and innovation spirit. This information has been shared with the public at the EXPO 2018 with the theme ”Fast tracking sustainable development of Nigeria through science and technology”. Buhari said: ”In September 2016, the State House hosted the first Aso Villa Demo Day to showcase the innovation emerging from around the country. Since then, the World Bank has supported a batch of those innovations with about $3 million, the first tranche of which has already been disbursed.” As part of government’s efforts to create positive environment for development there are also new science and technology innovation roadmap 2012-2030 and National Strategy for Comeptitiveness in Raw Materials and Product Development in Nigeria.

Islamic university bans burqas on campus

Because of fears over the spread of radical ideology on the campus, an Indonesian state Islamic university from Java island has banned full-face veils for their female students. Indonesia is the country with the world’s largest Muslim population and after this decision, university faced criticism from activists and Muslim groups, reports Reuters. The State Islamic University (UIN) in Yogyakarta city has in total 41 students who use burqa, and all of them have been asked to take them off if they want to graduate. Activists described this decision as a limitation on the freedom of women to wear what they want.

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