News - Association of Commonwealth Universities

Theme: Global challenges International collaboration Access and inclusion Supporting research Strengthening universities

A group of higher education progressions wave at the camera while standing in front of an old building

International collaboration – a fairer future?

Published on 09 December 2020 How can international collaborations be fair, and enable universities in low and middle income countries (LMICs) to have a more equal footing? Read this article

Theme: Global challenges International collaboration Access and inclusion Strengthening universities

University Of Cape Town campus buildings

Name and face – living with the past in the present

Published on 03 December 2020 Universities across the world are reflecting on what the the statues and the building names on their campuses mean in today’s world. Read this article

Theme: Global challenges International collaboration Access and inclusion Strengthening universities Supporting research

Two aboriginal men sit in in front of a white building at the top of steps painted with a yellow circle on red

What’s the place for reparations at universities?

Published on 26 November 2020 Some may question why universities need to be involved in reparations at all, but universities played a role in providing a cloak of respectability and legitimacy for the colonial project. Read this article

Theme: Access and inclusion Strengthening universities Tagged with: PEBL SDGs International collaboration Africa Strengthening universities

Person wearing headphones working on computer by Simon Abrams

Making digital higher education a reality for all

Published on 18 November 2020 If we are to reduce the digital divide on the road to achieving higher education for all by 2030, a truly global effort is needed to shape a common roadmap to equity. Read this article

Theme: Access and inclusion Strengthening universities Global challenges

Illustration of people from many ethnicities

Belonging at university – an equal future?

Published on 12 November 2020 In recent decades, more students from indigenous and minority backgrounds have entered higher education. But what is their experience of being at university like? Read this article

Theme: Global challenges Strengthening universities International collaboration Access and inclusion

How can the curriculum be authentic to where it's taught?

Published on 04 November 2020 Curricula tend to be modelled on templates of learning that have usually originated in the so-called West. However, there are growing calls to make the curriculum more authentic to where it's taught. Read this article

Theme: Global challenges International collaboration Access and inclusion Strengthening universities

A large crowd of protesters raise their fists in the air

Does decolonising higher education matter?

Published on 29 October 2020 Protests against racial injustice and demands to address historical wrongs are often accompanied by calls for decolonisation. But what does decolonisation mean for higher education? Read this article

Theme: Supporting research Strengthening universities Tagged with: Early Career Academics Supporting Research Community

Developing the next generation of researchers: international perspectives

Published on 15 October 2020 Experts weigh in on supporting early-career researchers and creating enabling environments for quality research to thrive. Read this article

Theme: Strengthening universities Access and inclusion Tagged with: PEBL COVID-19

Woman leaning on office wall working on laptop by Christina Wocintechchat

Optimising virtual learning beyond COVID-19: the PEBL experience

Published on 07 September 2020 Read this article

Theme: Strengthening universities Tagged with: COVID-19

A Snapshot Of Digital Engagement In Commonwealth Universities ACU

Higher education during COVID-19: a snapshot of digital engagement in Commonwealth universities

Published on 01 September 2020 The results of the ACU’s digital engagement survey, published today, highlight the stubborn digital divide and its impact on universities’ current capacity to deliver teaching and research. Read this article

Theme: Strengthening universities International collaboration Supporting research Global challenges Tagged with: COVID-19 International collaboration Strengthening universities Commonwealth Peace and Reconciliation Network

How Universities are sharing best practice during the COVID-19 pandemic

Published on 22 June 2020 Read how our member institutions have continued to collaborate, connect, and learn from each other as they navigate new challenges and adapt to life under lockdown. Read this article

Theme: Strengthening universities

Moving assessments online: sharing lessons learned from across the Commonwealth

Published on 03 June 2020 Over 200 people joined us for our first virtual event on moving assessments online. Read this article

Theme: Access and inclusion International collaboration Strengthening universities Tagged with: PEBL Africa COVID-19

PEBL academics working together on laptop

The PEBL project boosts universities’ capacity to manage campus closures

Published on 05 May 2020 The ACU invited PEBL partners in East Africa to share insights on teaching virtually amidst campus closures. The encouraging responses we received paint a picture of resilience through hardship. Read this article

Theme: Strengthening universities

Kirsty Cockburn appointed as the ACU’s Director of External Engagement

Published on 25 March 2020 The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) has appointed Kirsty Cockburn as Director of External Engagement. Read this article

Theme: Strengthening universities Tagged with: PEBL Africa Teaching and learning

PEBL continues to boost capacity for blended learning in East Africa following a successful first year

Published on 15 January 2020 In 2020, the ACU looks forward to continuing its close collaboration with university partners to evolve pedagogical approaches alongside technology. Read this article

Theme: Strengthening universities Tagged with: PEBL

PEBL courses benefiting over 10,000 students across east Africa

Published on 11 December 2019 Over 10,000 students have benefitted from the expertise of leading ACU member universities across east Africa, thanks to the Partnership for Enhanced and Blended Learning (PEBL). Read this article

Theme: Strengthening universities

Vice-chancellors from across the Commonwealth join the ACU’s governing body

Published on 29 July 2019 Vice-chancellors from universities across the Commonwealth are joining the ACU's governing body (Council), following a competitive election process. Read this article

Theme: Strengthening universities

Developing beneficial partnerships on your doorstep

Published on 27 June 2019 The aim of the project is to develop mutually beneficial partnerships between the university and its local communities, with a focus on working with more disadvantaged communities. Read this article

Theme: Strengthening universities Tagged with: Academic mobility

Graduation ceremony (Image by Charles Deloye on Unsplash)

Defining success in light of student experiences

Published on 20 May 2019 Dr Aryn Baxter writes about an international scholarship programme for students from across the African continent who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in the United States, she helped to set up. Read this article

Theme: Strengthening universities Tagged with: PEBL Africa Teaching and learning Early Career Academics Makerere University

First PEBL students commence online study in Uganda

Published on 28 January 2019 The Research Methodology and Design for Business Course, developed by Makerere University, Uganda, is the first course to launch as part oF ACU-managed Partnership for Enhanced and Blended Learning. Read this article