Long-read on my interesting weekend in Tampa at @TPUSA - including lessons for college students from @rustyrockets on family values, @DonaldJTrumpJr's advice on not being invited to "cool" parties and many, many conversations on Epstein.

‘Debt trap’ has replaced ‘Mickey Mouse’ courses but Tories’ Badenoch still kicking universities after being ‘boxed in’ by Labour’s apprenticeship embrace and Reform attacks on elitism https://t.co/QU9aVHDgcC

Andy Burnham says universities ‘at the heart’ of his plans for growth of Manchester’s economy. @paddywjack reports https://t.co/8D0CCQwfSH

With levy-funded maintenance grants and 50 per cent target scrapped again, government’s vision for universities becomes clearer. But while rhetoric appears tough, experts see opportunities as education takes centre stage https://t.co/VJZZUaIA3h

A sector described by a leading party figure as a ‘conveyor belt for communism’ is understandably wary of Farage’s latest populist project. But Reform UK persistently tops opinion polls. And the party’s annual conference suggests universities have a lot of ground to make up with

The UK government has been urged to extend money laundering legislation to the higher education sector to prevent students facing the “horrific consequences” of being used as “money mules” https://t.co/I99hWxD7mq

Chinese students view the UK’s university system as “easy in and easy out” but resent “assembly line” teaching that makes them feel like “tinned tomatoes”, according to new research. @paddywjack reports https://t.co/8UZQ4wdeiX

Donald Trump’s assaults on science and universities mirror those enacted in Brazil by Jair Bolsonaro. Two years after Bolsonaro’s election defeat, @paddywjack assesses what the state of Brazilian science says about how US institutions might fare post-Trump https://t.co/tgq0Nexhpb

A-level results day: Less-selective universities may have to consider new teaching models or mergers, experts have warned, as top institutions continue to “make hay while the sun shines” by recruiting a lion’s share of domestic students. @paddywjack reports

THE’s analysis of the National Student Survey 2025 reveals that a former Anglican teaching training college has again beaten the country’s elite universities for student satisfaction. @paddywjack crunches the numbers #NSS https://t.co/qZ9J8FgP1D

Existing graduate earnings figures are an uncertain measure of a degree’s value even in narrow economic terms. But by talking up the graduate premium in its promotional material, was the sector already doing itself a disservice? @paddywjack reports https://t.co/Mdb1360Ahy

The proportion of state school pupils accepted into the University of Cambridge has fallen by a record amount, following the institution’s decision to scrap admissions targets in this area, analysis reveals. @paddywjack reports https://t.co/j6ubY2UbXR

The number of cases referred to the UK government’s anti-extremism programme from within universities has doubled over the past three years and reached a record high, figures reveal. @paddywjack reports https://t.co/70euUPaISB

UK’s hostile atmosphere, visa refusal rates and unwavering support for Ukraine almost amounts to a de facto ban on Russian students, say scholars, as numbers of Russian students tumble to record low. @paddywjack reports https://t.co/vJGfsTOCbO

Mark Carney’s surprise election victory raised hopes of an end to Canada’s crackdown on overseas enrolments. But even as other anglophone nations restrict entry, there is no sign of interest in an opportunity to corner the market. @paddywjack reports https://t.co/W3nLzk6IsK

The rising use of artificial intelligence in international student recruitment poses several risks to the higher education sector and is part of a concerning “move fast and break things” mindset, according to experts. @paddywjack reports https://t.co/1TfofG9dYB

A sector-wide financial crisis and increased regulatory scrutiny appear to have done little to temper the “exorbitant” salaries of the leaders of private providers, who continue to enjoy some of the highest pay packages in the UK sector, writes @paddywjack https://t.co/rh6He4rt0R

Keir Starmer is “in a difficult spot” over student mobility as he eyes closer ties with the European Union, with experts warning concessions will go down “like a bag of sick” with right-wing voters, while also harming universities, writes @paddywjack https://t.co/X6GnNbJboe

The UK government’s proposed levy on international student fees could cost English universities £620 million per year, with some institutions facing bills of more than £20 million each, analysis shows. @paddywjack reports https://t.co/hlZn8Ugg8h

Last year, US campuses were engulfed by protests against Israel’s military action in Gaza. But as the war rages on and the Trump administration cracks down on universities’ freedoms and funding, students are silent. What has changed, asks @paddywjack https://t.co/3aYD9lqKMf