COVID
There is some frustration this week with the continuing uncertainty surrounding provision for students arriving from red list countries at the start of the coming academic year. Meanwhile, the Immigration Minister announced that the government would extend the Covid visa concession enabling blended and distance learning for the first two semesters of 2021-22.
QUALITY AND STANDARDS
In light of the growing awareness of the impact of essay mills and no doubt prompted by the private member’s bill outlawing them, OfS has a blog post about its role in protecting standards in higher education.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Athena Swan has launched a revised Charter following an independent review – there are reflections on what this means on Wonkhe.
REGULATORY AND FINANCE
OfS Chief Executive, Nicola Dandridge, has published the text of a speech in which she sets out OfS’s priorities for the year ahead – the two headlines are a “proportionate” approach to regulation, particularly where risk is low, and a continuing focus on quality.
Another OfS report finds that finances in the sector remain broadly in good order, though THE notes that England’s most selective universities are expecting the highest levels of borrowing and biggest deficits.
Respond
