Latest news with #HigherEducation
Zawya
6 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Ajman University rises to #440 in QS World University Rankings 2026
Ajman, UAE – Ajman University (AU) has achieved a significant milestone in the newly released QS World University Rankings 2026, climbing 37 places to reach #440 globally – its highest standing to date. This remarkable leap solidifies AU's status as one of the world's leading academic institutions, reflecting its growing impact on both the regional and international higher education landscape. In a competitive global arena, AU's advancement highlights the strength of its academic ecosystem, driven by faculty excellence, strategic partnerships, and student-focused innovation. Ajman University has also been ranked #4 globally for International Research Network, reaffirming its position as a hub for cross-border academic collaboration and impactful global research. This achievement underscores AU's dedication to fostering knowledge exchange and innovation through strategic international partnerships. Ajman University also continues to stand out for its internationalization efforts. It retains its position as #1 in the UAE and #4 globally for percentage of international students, reflecting its inclusive, globally connected learning environment. Furthermore, AU has been ranked #37 in the world for International Students Diversity, a new indicator introduced this year by QS. While the university celebrates these achievements, it remains focused on further enhancing its Employer Reputation – a strategic priority at the heart of its mission. AU is currently ranked #241 worldwide and #3 in the UAE for Employer Reputation, reaffirming its strong alignment with market needs and commitment to preparing graduates for successful careers. 'Our rise in the QS Rankings is a testament to Ajman University's long-term strategy, rooted in academic excellence, regional relevance, and global engagement. As a non-profit institution, we remain committed to investing in knowledge that empowers our students, supports national development, and contributes meaningfully to the world', said Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University. Ajman University's upward trajectory in the QS World University Rankings is a result of sustained teamwork, strategic vision, and a shared belief in the transformative power of education. As AU approaches its 40th anniversary, it remains committed to academic excellence, global engagement, and advancing knowledge for the greater good. About Ajman University Established in 1988 as the first private university in the GCC, Ajman University (AU) is a non-profit institution committed to delivering world-class education and empowering future leaders. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, global engagement, and societal impact, AU continues to shape a diverse and inclusive learning environment that nurtures innovation and integrity. Ajman University earned full accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in 2024, becoming the first private and non-profit university in the UAE and the Arab world to achieve this prestigious distinction. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, AU ranks #440 globally and #6 in the UAE, with a global ranking of #241 for Employer Reputation and #3 in the UAE. AU also holds the #1 position in the UAE and #4 globally for the percentage of international students. With a growing network of over 40,000 alumni across the world, AU continues to prepare graduates who are career-ready, globally aware, and committed to shaping a better future for their communities and beyond.
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Higher education minister: Malaysia proposes Asean Institute to unify regional expertise, offers to host in UKM
LANGKAWI, June 20 — Malaysia has proposed the establishment of an Asean Institute to consolidate expertise across various fields among member countries in the region. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir stated that this proposal was among the topics discussed during the Asean Higher Education Ministers' Roundtable here yesterday. 'Although certain countries have conducted studies at their respective university levels, there isn't a more comprehensive institute for all Asean member states,' he said at a press conference after the roundtable here yesterday. He added that Malaysia has offered to host this Asean Institute, given the country's expertise, including through the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (Ikmas) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Furthermore, he noted that the roundtable also discussed student and academic mobility within the region, including exchange programmes that would allow foreign lecturers to teach at educational institutions in Malaysia. 'Additionally, we also agreed to establish a body to manage scholarship matters, namely Asean-GEMS. This platform will be utilised to seek financial resources among Asean member states to provide scholarships,' he said. The Asean Global Exchange for Mobility and Scholarship (Asean-GEMS) is a one-stop platform for information about regional scholarship and mobility programmes throughout the Asean region that was launched last night. This initiative will, among other things, provide access to opportunities and scholarship offers for all Asean students, while also supporting regional integration by encouraging youth mobility and cross-border academic exchanges. Zambry further mentioned that other matters discussed included proposals to establish networks and collaborative platforms among Asean higher education institutions, and to ensure that all discussion outcomes are elevated to the Asean Heads of State Meeting in October. He also remarked that this roundtable successfully brought together all ministers, representatives, and senior education officials from member countries, receiving positive feedback from regional and international participants. Meanwhile, among the delegates, the Chairperson Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines, Dr Shirley Castañeda Agrupis, praised Malaysia's efforts in hosting the dialogue, calling it a valuable platform for benchmarking best practices and addressing regional challenges. She stressed the need for harmonising research agendas and recognising academic credentials across Asean member states. 'We dream of borderless education, but without mutual recognition of curricula, student and faculty mobility remains limited,' she noted. Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Isesco) Dr Salim Mohammed Al-Malik has praised Malaysia's commitment to education and innovation following a series of high-level engagements during his visit to the 2025 Asean Ministers of Education and Higher Education Roundtables. Dr Al-Malik underscored the pivotal role of Isesco in supporting its 53 member states, including Malaysia as a founding member, in advancing education, science, and culture, particularly among developing nations. — Bernama
Wall Street Journal
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Trump's DOJ Goes ‘Judge Shopping' in Texas
Your otherwise fine editorial 'A Legal Ambush Against Dreamers' (June 17) neglects to mention a key feature of the lawsuit the Justice Department filed against Texas to obtain a settlement invalidating the in-state tuition benefit for undocumented immigrants: where the suit was filed. Even though the Texas government, as well as its flagship public university, is headquartered in Austin, the U.S. brought suit in Wichita Falls, the 43rd-largest city in Texas and home to only one of the state's 234 institutions of higher education. To my mind, the only plausible explanation for filing there is that cases in the Wichita Falls Division of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas have a 100% chance of being assigned to Judge Reed O'Connor—who reportedly signed off on the parties' 'settlement' within six hours of the suit being filed.
CBS News
20 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's Chief Operating Officer leaves after less than two years
Janel Forde, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's Chief Operating Officer, has left the Mayor's office and taken a job with the University of Colorado. Forde's hiring as the city's COO was announced in August 2023. She left the Mayor's office on June 13 and has been hired by CU- Boulder to serve as the Senior Vice Chancellor for Operations. She will assume that role on June 23. City of Denver The Mayor's Office released a statement Thursday to CBS News Colorado saying, "Janel Forde was a key part of this administration from Day One. We are thrilled that she was part of our Denver team and excited that she is staying in Colorado. CU is lucky to have her talents on their team." CBS News Colorado left a phone message and emails seeking comment from Forde on the move. The mayor's office said it does not intend to fill Forde's COO job due to the city's current hiring freeze.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
UK regulator tells Universities: Defend free speech, even if it's uncomfortable
British universities are facing a reckoning over the boundaries of speech and academic freedom. In newly issued guidance, the Office for Students, the UK's higher education regulator, has warned institutions that shielding students from legal but controversial ideas poses a threat to core academic principles. The message is unambiguous: Students must not only be allowed to speak freely, but also be prepared to confront opinions that may challenge, disturb, or even offend them. 'This includes things that they may find uncomfortable or shocking,' said Arif Ahmed, director for freedom of speech at the Office for Students. 'By being exposed to a diversity of academic thought, students will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills. ' A nation at a crossroads The guidance, released Thursday, arrives at a time when concerns are mounting that the UK's higher education system has leaned too far into ideological gatekeeping. Multiple groups, including gender-critical academics and pro-Israel organizations, have accused universities of suppressing lawful expression in deference to student protest. The backlash has grown particularly intense in recent years. In 2021, Professor Kathleen Stock resigned from the University of Sussex following an aggressive campaign by student activists who condemned her views on biological sex. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We cannot lose another baby to the same disease, help us! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Stock, who argued that sex is binary and immutable, faced calls for dismissal from groups identifying as queer, trans, and nonbinary. In a rare move earlier this year, the Office for Students fined the university £585,000 for failing to protect freedom of speech. Legislation meets the lecture hall The new guidance aims to operationalize the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, passed under the previous government, to reinforce legal protections for speech on UK campuses. The Office for Students emphasized that while universities must uphold lawful expression, they are not required to tolerate unlawful speech, including content that violates public order, equality, or counter-terrorism laws. In practical terms, universities retain the right to control when, where, and how speech takes place, so long as they do not suppress its substance. This clause aims to balance expression with academic function, ensuring that debates don't disrupt teaching or research. No easy balance Still, the path forward is anything but straightforward. Legal experts caution that the implementation of these rights will remain fraught with complexity. Julian Sladdin, a partner at law firm Pinsent Masons, told The Guardian that challenges will persist. 'The difficulty which remains in practical terms is the fact that institutions are still subject to dealing day-to-day with extremely complex and often polarizing issues on campus and where the bounds of what may be lawful free speech are constantly being tested,' he was quoted as saying. This regulatory shift may be a necessary correction, but it is unlikely to end the battle between academic liberty and the emotional sensitivities of modern campus life. Beyond tolerance What emerges from this moment is a broader philosophical demand: that universities return to their core mission of cultivating rigorous, uncomfortable inquiry. In a climate where speech can be mistaken for violence and dissent for harm, the regulator's message is firm: Intellectual growth is not always safe, and it was never meant to be. British campuses are now tasked with navigating that reality, not retreating from it. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
