North America

Coverage of higher education in North America, including universities, policy, and research developments.

Canada unveils new national AI strategy with major focus on skills and higher education

· By H. Yang

Canada's new "AI for All" strategy aims to expand AI literacy, provide trusted AI tools to post-secondary students, and strengthen the country's AI workforce and infrastructure.

Yale faculty report rising fears and self-censorship over academic freedom

· By H. Yang

A Yale faculty survey found declining academic freedom, rising fears of complaints and retaliation, and growing self-censorship in teaching, research, and public engagement since 2025.

UC faculty push to restore standardized testing for STEM admissions

· By Eleanor Shaw

More than 1,100 UC STEM faculty are urging the restoration of SAT and ACT requirements, citing growing concerns over mathematics preparedness and student success.

Trump defends Chinese students in U.S.

· By Eleanor Shaw

Trump defended Chinese students in U.S. universities despite earlier STEM-related visa restrictions under Presidential Proclamation 10043, exposing divisions over immigration, national security, university finances, and international education policy.

10,000 international students linked to suspected STEM OPT fraud

· By H. Yang

U.S. investigators identified over 10,000 suspected fraud cases linked to STEM OPT, uncovering shell companies, fake employers, and compliance loopholes in international student work authorization.

Muhlenberg College faces budget deficit and potential layoffs

· By H. Yang

Muhlenberg College faces a $10 million deficit, prompting potential layoffs and AAUP calls for fairer staff treatment during campus restructuring.

US moves closer to ending open-ended F-1 student status with four-year visa limit rule

· By H. Yang

The US is nearing implementation of a rule requiring international students on F-1 visas to renew status after four years, potentially increasing costs, uncertainty, and administrative burdens.

Trump removes all National Science Board members amid governance concerns

· By Eleanor Shaw

Trump has removed all 22 members of the National Science Board, raising concerns over political influence in U.S. research governance while NSF funding operations are expected to continue.

Notre Dame email incident raises questions about AI in education

· By H. Yang

Notre Dame students received promotional emails for Kerra, an AI study tool integrating with Canvas, prompting administrative action and sparking debate over academic integrity, AI assistance, and educational boundaries universities

Hampshire College closure reflects wider strain on small liberal arts colleges

· By Eleanor Shaw

Hampshire College’s closure reflects a wider crisis in small liberal arts institutions, where declining enrolments and financial pressures are forcing a wave of closures and mergers. Despite its experimental model, the college could not overcome structural funding challenges, mirroring cases such as Marlboro College. The decision highlights a growing sector trend toward managed “teach-outs” and raises questions about the sustainability of institutional diversity in higher education.