New Universities Alliance will Help Shift Epicentre of Global Higher Education to Asia

In Commentary, Andrew Gunn and Michael Mintrom see the new Asian Universities Alliance as an innovative policy tool for advancing China's soft power and geopolitical ambitions. Andrew Pilkington argues that to combat disadvantage faced by ethnic minorities in universities in the United Kingdom, institutions must identify processes with adverse outcomes and take positive action to promote racial equality.

   Eric Fredua-Kwarteng outlines the concept of an African developmental university, whose mission and role is determined by the needs of local society. A 'pedagogy of connection' is a critical necessity for the university to function effectively as a partner for development. Kajsa Hallberg Adu describes how a deep engagement with ethics at Ashesi University College in Ghana, founded by internationally respected leader Dr Patrick Awuah, is introducing new benchmarks for business and universities in the region, continent and world.

   In Q&A, Yojana Sharma interviews Kakha Shengelia, head of Georgia's Caucasus University in Tbilisi, about his impending presidency of the International Association of University Presidents during a period of global uncertainty. And in World Blog, Patrick Blessinger argues that engaging more students in research activities as part of their educational experience will help to transform learning.

   In Features, Haroon Mirani reports on clashes between students and the Indian army that have paralysed campuses in Kashmir and injured hundreds of people. Geoff Maslen charts the rise of Chinese student mobility across the world – alongside growth in foreign students in China and proportions of Chinese study abroad students returning home.

Karen MacGregor