Table of table of tables

Table of tables A composite university league table derived from the four domestic league tables has been prepared by THE. It is presented as a real labour-saving device: With so many national newspaper league tables, it can be difficult to keep track of the results. Certainly can, but luckily a source has amalgamated the available …

On the need for discretion in discussing HE cuts

Very good piece by David Eastwood in The Guardian. As he suggests - the cuts being discussed are achievable, perhaps, but hardly desirable. Moreover, they should be a matter for discreet discussion, not broadcast: Many of us remember the glorious Monty Python Four Yorkshiremen sketch. A quartet of the now-comfortably off, drinking Château de Chasselas, …

Freshers’ week commercialism

According to the Guardian "Freshers' week is an education in commercialism": ...freshers' fairs have come a long way from the commercial innocence of earlier years. They offer Britain's businesses "the perfect opportunity for you to enlighten students to your products and services", according to BAM Student Marketing. "Get face to face with your potential customers …

Dog Earns MBA Online

Dog Earns M.B.A. Online - from The Chronicle of Higher Education Just goes to show: GetEducated.com, an online-learning consumer group, managed to purchase an online M.B.A. for its mascot, a dog named Chester Ludlow. The Vermont pug earned his tassles by pawing over $499 to Rochville University, which offers "distance learning degrees based on life …

Futurity.org: promoting university research

Futurity.org Futurity.org has just launched (September 2009) - it is a consortium led by Duke University, Stanford University, and the University of Rochester and aims to highlight the latest discoveries from leading universities in the United States and Canada: Futurity aggregates the very best research news. The site, which is hosted at the University of …

“Pressure grows” to replace league tables

"League tables should be replaced, says v-c" according to a recent article in THE. As an alternative to league tables it is proposed that comprehensive "quality profiles" be used instead of crude rankings. Chris Brink, vice-chancellor of Newcastle University, said assessments should ask if the university is "good at what it does", rather than if …

Sunday Times League Table

Sunday Times League Table is now out The 2010 Sunday Times Good University Guide. Change at the top but not really "a year of upheaval" as billed: 1. Oxford (2) 2. Cambridge (1) 3. Imperial (3) 4. UCL (6) 5. St Andrews (5) 6. Warwick (7) 7. Durham (8) 8. York (9) 9. LSE (4) …

HE in Ireland: “Axe hangs over 750 posts”

Whilst UK institutions are facing significant financial challenges, the situation in Ireland seems distinctly difficult according to the Irish Independent. The paper states that up to 750 jobs are to be cut by December and that academics, research staff and administrative, technical and other support posts will be equally affected by the instructions to reduce …

University of Nottingham: Graduate Trainee Programme

The first group of four Graduate Trainees are coming to the end of their year-long programme which has been extremely successful. As the advert for the 2009-10 scheme describes it: The University is delighted to announce the Nottingham Graduate Trainee Programme. This innovative programme, aimed exclusively at University of Nottingham graduates from any of the …