By Elizia Volkmann. Recent weeks have seen some university students in Libya sit examinations. It is a sign that things may be improving after the worst 18 months in the history of higher education. The civil war that has been wracking the country has seen universities bombed. Read more...

Independent engineering schools in Tunisia are awaiting the introduction of new, tougher specifications that should ensure the quality of their diplomas is up to standard. But some are accusing the higher education ministry of deliberately impeding development of the private sector – although the move follows a strike by engineering students complaining that private schools are favoured. Read more...

By Wagdy Sawahel. Morocco has unveiled a strategy to tackle a shortage of teachers specialised in mathematics and foreign languages. It includes new initiatives that will be implemented by universities and other higher education institutions. Read more...

By Karen MacGregor – Acting Global Editor. In Africa Analysis, Wachira Kigotho reports on a call at the launch of the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa for major efforts to increase Africa’s share of world scientific production – or risk most young people becoming long-term unemployed.
In Africa Features, Elizia Volkmann describes the dire situation for higher education in Libya, where civil war has closed some universities and impeded operations in others. Francis Kokutse finds the Association of African Universities concerned about lack of quality assurance in many institutions, and the Economic Community of West African States preparing to harmonise pre-university qualifications. And in Kenya, Gilbert Nganga outlines multiple crises in higher education around recognition of degrees, tuition fees and student loan delivery.
In Commentary, Anand Kulkarni and Angel Calderon focus on the Global Innovation Index, and how middle income economies are faring and how they might progress. Ivan Sterligov, Alfiya Enikeeva and Victor Trofimov discuss the tendency for Russians to publish more in the physical sciences, while some former Soviet states have shifted the disciplinary structure of their publication output.
In World Blog, Rajani Naidoo urges universities to work together to promote global wellbeing, despite the growing competition between universities for global positional advantage.
In a Special Report, Yojana Sharma covers a conference on access and equity in higher education held in Malaysia, organised by the Global Access to Post-Secondary Education initiative. Read more...