Policy

News and analysis on higher education policy, reform, and regulation worldwide.

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.

UK tightens oversight of international student recruitment

· By H. Yang

The UK government is tightening visa compliance for universities recruiting international students, introducing stricter performance thresholds and a traffic-light system. The measures respond to visa misuse amid a recent drop in overseas enrolments, which has increased financial pressure on UK universities.

New Zealand expands graduate work visa eligibility

· By Eleanor Shaw

New Zealand will introduce a six-month Short-term Graduate Work Visa and expand Post Study Work Visa eligibility to certain graduate diploma holders from November 2026, strengthening graduate employment pathways.

Japan expands interview requirements in university admissions

· By Eleanor Shaw

Japan will require interviews for major alternative university admissions pathways from 2027, reinforcing holistic evaluation beyond examinations amid broader higher education reforms.

China expands transnational education to keep students home

· By H. Yang

China approved over 200 new transnational education partnerships in May 2026 as Beijing expands “internationalisation at home” efforts to reduce overseas study costs and retain billions in education spending domestically.

DAAD warns German cuts could end university partnerships with the Global South

· By Eleanor Shaw

The DAAD warned that German government funding cuts could end most university cooperation programs with the Global South by 2031, potentially weakening Germany’s global academic influence and talent recruitment efforts.

Nepal warns students to use only licensed education consultancies

· By Eleanor Shaw

Nepal’s education ministry has warned students to use only officially licensed education consultancies, while authorities intensify enforcement against fraudulent and unauthorized operators involved in overseas study applications.

Japan launches domestic study abroad pilot to support regional revitalization

· By H. Yang

Japan’s education ministry is introducing a pilot “domestic study abroad” program encouraging students from Tokyo-area universities to study and work in regional communities as part of broader regional revitalization efforts.

UK universities call for Chevening scholars to be exempted from visa brake

· By H. Yang

UK universities are urging the government to exempt Chevening scholars from the visa brake policy, warning the restrictions could harm international education, UK soft power, and global leadership partnerships.

China and Russia deepen higher education ties through new strategic partnerships

· By H. Yang

China and Russia are rapidly expanding higher education cooperation through new research partnerships, engineering programs, and joint institutes, driven by geopolitical shifts, strategic technologies, and growing alternatives to Western academic collaboration.