AGP Executive Report

Global Rankings Watch: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 keep reshuffling the map: Oxford stays No. 1, while Asian universities climb; in Africa, the University of Cape Town jumps to 147th (its best in six years) and HBKU in Qatar lands 126th, the first Arab university in the top 150. Malaysia Higher Ed: UniSZA rises into the 801–1,000 band, and Galgotias University climbs 24 places to 41st in India (THE 2027), boosting its international profile. Student Costs & Access: UCD Students’ Union urges students to join a national Dublin protest over fees and accommodation. Scotland Funding Pressure: A Scottish Funding Council report finds more than half of universities ran deficits in 2024/25, with modern institutions most exposed. Campus Safety & Accountability: A Northern Arizona University fraternity leader gets jail time for hazing tied to a pledge’s alcohol-poisoning death. International Student Policy: MIT pauses authorization of work-study credit programs for international students, adding to visa and study uncertainty. Cybersecurity in Academia: US firm says China-linked hackers impersonated AI insiders tied to US universities, while Canada reports AI agents probing a library search service.

College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act (77-22), setting national rules for NIL and revenue sharing and sending the bill to the House, where it’s expected to face amendments. Higher-Ed Access & Research: UT Austin and Dell Medical School won ARPA-H contracts to help modernize clinical trials, aiming to make participation easier for patients. Student Life & Belonging: Oregon State’s ASOSU Senate approved $15,000 to fund International CommuniTea Hour, a weekly program connecting international and domestic students. Global Education & Innovation: The UAE used UN General Assembly week to push water-focused partnerships, including AI and investment plans ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference. Indigenous Reconciliation Events: Hundreds gathered in Canada for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, using Orange Shirt Day themes of truth, resiliency, and hope. College Cost Snapshot: CUNY John Jay College reported in-state tuition and fees of $7,470 for 2024-25, unchanged from the prior year.

College Sports Overhaul: The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act in a 77-22 vote, setting national rules for NIL payments, transfer limits, and giving the NCAA new authority—now headed to the House, where timing and support remain uncertain. Higher-Ed Rankings & Growth: Northeastern State University entered U.S. News National Universities for the first time, while Dakota Wesleyan reported a 3% enrollment gain for 2026-27. Campus Life & Facilities: Southern Utah University opened a new 51,000-square-foot music center with a 510-seat concert hall. Open Science Collaboration: The National Science Library (China), Chinese Academy of Sciences, and PLOS signed an MOU to advance the OS10 open science infrastructure program. Policy & Rights in Classrooms: A federal judge blocked UC from enforcing parts of its misgendering policy, after a challenge tied to student training requirements. Global Education & Mobility: A Sahrawi student group held an open day on university education, and a Vancouver consulate meeting focused on foreign credential recognition for internationally trained professionals.

College Sports Overhaul: The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act in a 77-22 vote, setting national rules on athlete pay, transfers, and NCAA authority, and sending the bill to the House. International Student Rules: A federal court paused a new “Duration of Status” rule for F-1 students, leaving many international students in limbo for now. Campus Accountability: A new Cornell lawsuit alleges a former student was drugged and gang-raped by Chi Phi members, reigniting demands for stronger protections and follow-through. Higher Ed for Nontraditional Students: A new series argues colleges must rethink how they define and support today’s adult, working, first-generation, and transfer students. Global Education & Innovation: Namibia’s UNAM team won recognition at Russia’s Global HackAtom nuclear challenge, earning an invitation to a 2027 tech summer school. Funding & Health: Billionaire Harold Hamm donated $150M to the University of Oklahoma to expand diabetes research and training. Student Life & Skills: Jeonbuk National University is running customized AI training for Lotte Energy Materials employees, showing growing industry-academia ties.

College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate is set to vote on the Protect College Sports Act, which would give the NCAA limited antitrust exemption to set uniform rules on eligibility, transfers, and conference realignment, and would raise the revenue-sharing cap to about $50 million per school. Student Safety & Campus Climate: Cal State Fullerton marked National Hazing Prevention Week with tabling and pledges aimed at stopping forced consumption, sleep deprivation, humiliation, and other hazing behaviors. International Higher Ed: UNITAR, EURAS, and Istanbul Aydın University launched a Global Platform on Maritime Governance and Security, pairing policy dialogue with training and applied research. Student Aid & Access: The Trump administration finalized a rule expanding “gainful employment” checks that could cut off federal loans and Pell Grants for programs that don’t show graduates earn more than if they hadn’t enrolled. Workforce Skills: South Africa’s Tshwane South TVET College will host a Digital Skills Outreach Programme on Sept. 29 to connect students with training and career pathways. Data-Driven Teaching: University of Nebraska–Lincoln reorganized NSSE results into audience-specific brief reports to guide quality improvements.

Campus Data Use: University of Delaware, North Dakota, Texas–Tyler, West Florida, and Nebraska–Lincoln are leaning on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) to guide program reviews, accreditation self-studies, and “high-impact practices” planning—often by reshaping survey results into brief reports for specific audiences. Student Safety & Campus Unrest: In Punjab, India, Lovely Professional University suspended classes and postponed exams after protests over an alleged rape claim; police say an FIR is pending and investigations continue. Legal Fallout: Cornell University faces a lawsuit alleging a former student was drugged and gang-raped by fraternity members, while Dartmouth agreed to a $750,000 settlement tied to a 2025 data breach affecting 96,000 people. Policy & Equity: Ontario is pushing stronger enforcement of anti-hate rules after reports on campus racism and antisemitism failed to meet expectations. Higher Ed Innovation: Virginia and Ohio universities are working on a model for three-year bachelor’s degrees. Global Higher Ed & Tech: SK Telecom will visit seven South Korean universities with campus services, and Nemetschek Group partnered with the University of Jeddah to boost digital skills for future AEC professionals.

Higher-Education Assessment: A new set of case studies highlights how universities use NSSE data to improve teaching and student outcomes, from Winthrop’s competency updates to FAMU’s easy-to-read NSSE/FSSE reporting and UNL’s brief reports tailored for instructors and student support. International Accreditation: Qatar’s University of Doha for Science and Technology secured ABET international accreditation for six computing and engineering programmes, aiming to align graduates with labor-market needs. Campus Partnerships & Career Pathways: Austin Peay State University joined the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium, adding a commercialization counselor role to connect research with market opportunities. Student Recognition: University of Maryland Global Campus named two students to its summer 2026 Dean’s List. Policy & Public Debate: Kentucky’s AP Top 25 shake-up followed a win for the Wildcats and a drop for Louisville. Media Access Fight: U.S. AG Todd Blanche argued “one-sided” reporting is a national security issue, as a judge questioned the administration’s press-access ban rationale. Community College Spotlight: Western Nevada College received a 2026 Community Engagement Award from the Rural Community College Alliance.

Higher-Education Data Use: A new set of case studies highlights how universities are turning student engagement surveys like NSSE into practical change—through dashboards, crosswalks that map survey items to action steps, and even student-led assessment roles—so engagement, belonging, and career readiness don’t stay trapped in reports. Global Policy & Rankings: Kazakhstan is pushing to revive higher-ed ties with Malaysia via student mobility and research, while the UK’s Good University Guide shows Oxford Brookes sliding sharply in 2027. Funding Pressure & Campus Stability: Kenya’s university lecturers union has issued a seven-day strike notice starting 2 October, citing unpaid funding and staffing strain. International Students & Access: Australia’s Adelaide University says a merger is off track on international recruitment after migration clampdowns, raising revenue concerns. Student Safety & Justice: In India, academic freedom and governance worries are tied to restrictions on campus debate and protests, with potential spillover for international partnerships. Local Career Pathways: Nenagh College will host a careers exhibition on 1 October to connect students with colleges, universities, FET providers, and employers.

Student Engagement & Assessment: Clemson, Delaware, Ohio University, and others are sharing how they use NSSE to map high-impact practices, boost response rates, and turn survey results into dashboards, advising changes, and accreditation-ready plans. Campus Weather Tech: State College of Florida Venice installed a new “Dorothy” weather station feeding real-time storm data to NOAA and the National Weather Service, improving local forecasting. Housing Policy: Senators Todd Young and Michael Bennet reintroduced the Eviction Crisis Act of 2026, aiming to expand emergency rental assistance to prevent avoidable evictions. International Education & Mobility: Reports highlight visa-driven delays for international students and new rules affecting foreign students’ access to programs and work permits. Global Clean Energy: A China expert says green tech and AI are lowering renewable costs and accelerating the low-carbon transition worldwide. Student Life Abroad: A Confucius Institute launch at Chittagong University targets Bangladesh-China education ties.

Assessment in Action: A new set of campus examples shows how universities are using NSSE data beyond reports—turning it into tailored dashboards, student-led assessment projects, and retention-focused support plans (from themed learning communities to “belonging” and advising improvements). International Students Under Pressure: A study on China’s job market suggests foreign degrees may now hurt hiring prospects, while separate reporting highlights how international students can face harsh treatment in the UK. Immigration Enforcement Hits Campus: ICE abducted a college athlete at Louisville, raising questions about what universities and the NCAA will do next. Student Safety Tragedy: Gauhati University student Nimisha Thakuria was found dead at a Guwahati homestay; police are investigating. Global Climate Risk: El Niño could drive 451,000 extra heat deaths, with the worst toll expected in the Global South. Higher-Ed Policy: India’s AYUSH colleges face triple-salary penalties if faculty vacancies aren’t filled within three months.

Diesel Export Debate: Diesel prices jumped to record highs as U.S.-Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war disrupt fuel routes, prompting talk of restricting U.S. diesel exports ahead of midterms. Campus Safety Policy: Senators Bill Cassidy and Amy Klobuchar introduced a National Hazing Awareness Week resolution, backing efforts to prevent deadly collegiate hazing after the 2017 LSU case. Student Success & Enrollment: James Madison University reported a surge amid a national “enrollment cliff,” with total fall enrollment rising to 23,167 and record applications. Global Higher Ed & Research: RIT unveiled TIGRIS, a new high-performance supercomputer ranked among the world’s fastest and most energy-efficient for academic research. International Education Links: William Paterson University hosted Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, honoring him with the President’s Medallion and highlighting education ties. Data-Driven Teaching: Multiple universities shared how they use NSSE results—dashboards, faculty brief reports, and student feedback—to improve advising, high-impact practices, and belonging.

Higher-Education Funding: Ireland’s universities are pushing for more money ahead of Budget 2027, warning of a “slow puncture” that leaves a €250m-plus annual gap and threatens critical-thinking capacity. Medical Training Accountability: India’s doctors’ body is urging Prime Minister Modi to create a national zero-tolerance framework after reports of ragging, assault, harassment, excessive hours and suicides in medical colleges. Campus Safety in Russia: Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics evacuated students for a second day after bomb-threat reports, following similar dorm evacuations at RUDN. Student Life & Access: Trinity University (Nigeria) won NUC approval for new health programmes and added 850 beds; Ireland’s minister also says colleges should focus on teaching abroad rather than chasing mass foreign enrolment. Global Partnerships: Jakarta plans to partner with NYU to build a sports ecosystem and expand education access. Controversy Watch: Newcastle University appointed Anant Ambani as professor of sustainability, drawing criticism from academics and conservationists. Rankings & Value: Radford University hit No. 18 in U.S. News regional rankings for the South, while an opinion piece argues “regional” schools can better reflect student experience than “national” brands.

Mental Health Crisis in College Sports: A new NCAA survey finds nearly 2 in 5 college athletes have had suicidal thoughts, and 86% want the NCAA to require mental health services and suicide-prevention training. Student Safety on Campus: Central Community College Kearney marked National Save a Life Day with naloxone kits and overdose-response training, partnering with local health departments. College Affordability Push: Beloit College launched an “All-In Pricing Guarantee,” capping first-year direct costs at $30,000 for new students accepted for 2027-28. International Student Pressure: Adelaide University says a federal migration clampdown is hurting international enrollment after its merged institution missed targets, with visa fee hikes and soft caps blamed. AI Governance at the UN: OpenAI and Anthropic leaders urged UN-backed safeguards to prevent uncontrolled AI from becoming a humanity-level risk. Global Higher Ed & Research: ILRI, Lukenya University and EdSource Africa teamed up to strengthen dryland agriculture through research, education and policy work. Campus Rights & Speech: Amnesty and ACLU say pro-Palestinian speech is still being suppressed on U.S. campuses, including protest crackdowns tied to federal funding pressure. University Rankings: Loyola University New Orleans earned top-10 Southern recognition in U.S. News, while SUNY Cortland rose to No. 9 among top public schools.

Higher Ed Resilience: Malaysia’s Sultan Nazrin urged universities to learn from past political and policy shocks, pointing to Universiti Malaya’s history of navigating major national crises. AI in the Classroom: Maryland campuses are seeing more AI-related honor code violations as generative tools become common study aids—raising fears about cheating and students’ learning gaps. Campus Free Speech & Antisemitism: Dartmouth joined a national campus antisemitism discussion as lawmakers launch a new caucus, spotlighting how universities balance neutrality, safety, and dialogue. College Sports Law: The Protect College Sports Act is nearing Senate approval, with UConn’s Dan Hurley backing it while critics—especially within Democrats—warn it could limit athletes’ rights and legal options. International Student Rules: Cornell tightened F-1 CPT eligibility after ICE guidance, limiting work to internships embedded and required for degree completion. Global Cooperation: The Doha Forum’s 2026 report calls for rebuilding trust in international institutions, including proposals for information integrity and new AI governance efforts. Funding & Access: West Los Angeles College received a $500,000 endowment gift to expand its dental hygiene program. Teaching & Student Support: A new push for competency-based education readiness is underway, with Kenya inviting bids to assess university preparedness for the 2029 transition.

Campus Rights & Policing: An ACLU and Amnesty report says universities including the University of Michigan, Columbia, UCLA, and UT Austin violated protesters’ rights and used “unlawful and unnecessary” force, raising fresh questions about how campuses handle pro-Palestinian demonstrations. International Student Enrollment: Northeast Ohio public universities report sharp drops in international enrollment, with visa and processing changes cited as key drivers. AI in Higher Ed: Chicago-area community colleges are preparing students for AI-shaped workplaces, while universities nationwide are also setting “guardrails” as AI use grows. Health & Safety on Campus: Kratom is back in the spotlight after two University of Mississippi students died; authorities recovered packaged kratom but haven’t confirmed a role. Rankings & Growth: Shenandoah University climbed in U.S. News’ 2027 rankings; WPI jumped to No. 73 nationally; and Mizzou says it’s now in the top 100. Student Support & Access: A federal earnings test for colleges is putting hundreds of thousands of students at risk of losing aid, with for-profit programs among the hardest hit. Global Governance: Qatar urged UN-aligned cooperation and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz during UN General Assembly talks.

US Higher Ed Rankings: MIT has taken the No. 1 spot in U.S. News & World Report, ending Princeton’s 15-year run, with the outlet citing a new “earnings by major” approach. Campus Speech & Protest: A new U.S. report by the ACLU and Amnesty says colleges used “systemic suppression” tactics against pro-Palestinian advocacy after Oct. 7, chilling campus expression. Funding for Minority Colleges: The U.S. Education Department is sending $174M to HBCUs and $61M to tribal colleges, moving MSI money after legal challenges. AI & Skills: Qatar launched a cloud-skilling push for 50,000+ learning opportunities by 2030, while Zoho cofounder Sridhar Vembu urged India to invest in foundational R&D and avoid “catastrophic” AI fears. International University Links: PolyU and Fudan set up a joint AI-in-healthcare lab in Hong Kong-Shanghai. Student Safety: An Ahmedabad crane accident killed a 19-year-old college student, with CCTV footage emerging. Policy Watch: J&K says it screened 21.8 lakh books and withdrew 4,812 from college libraries since July.