Latest news with #HigherEducation
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Doug Ball named interim president of Pittsburg State University
PITTSBURG, Kan. — A new president is in charge at Pittsburg State University, at least for now. 'I did grow up right here in southeast Kansas, mostly in Baxter Springs, just south of here and so Pitt State was something that was kind of always in my environment, always in my awareness,' said Doug Ball, PSU Interim Pres. So it was an easy decision when Doug Ball decided to get his undergraduate degree at Pittsburg State University. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration… and he isn't the only one in the family who's a Gorilla. 'My father also attended here. In fact, I was born in Pittsburg while my father was a student here at Pittsburg State, and so Pittsburg State's been part of my life from day one, in some ways, literally. And so it's been exciting to be here at different times in my life and different capacities,' said Ball. That includes his career path. Doug Ball named interim president of Pittsburg State University Doug Ball named interim president at Pittsburg State University ROTC Commissioning Ceremony held at PSU PSU nursing student overcomes barriers and achieves her dream Ball joined PSU as the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Administration eight years ago. 'There's really two major components of my job responsibilities, finance and facilities. So on the finance side, it's everything from accounting to budgeting and purchasing. Also that fits in there is our human resources team is part of the organization. And then on the facility sides, the planning and maintenance and care for our facilities on campus.' He's now adding to those responsibilities, officially taking over at interim PSU president from Dr. Dan Shipp who is moving on to head Maryville University. 'It's all about keeping us moving forward on the critical projects we've got going on,' said Ball. Ball adds that he loves Pitts State, which is a great motivation for the extra challenges that lie ahead. 'I had a fantastic impact to my life and my career as a result of my time here as a student. And I love the chance to see that repeated for students over and over again.' Ball is serving as president on a short-term basis while the Kansas Board of Regents searches for a permanent replacement… a decision that school leaders say could take several months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Arab News
16 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
‘Everything came crashing down': US visa freeze shatters hopes of young Pakistani students
ISLAMABAD: For many in Pakistan, the US visa freeze has felt like a devastating setback after years of academic effort and ambition, affected applicants and an education consultant said on Friday. The suspension, ordered by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this week, halts new student and exchange visa appointments worldwide and is part of a broader policy under President Donald Trump's administration to intensify screening of foreign nationals, including expanded social media vetting. US embassies have been instructed to pause interviews while new guidelines are being finalized, as officials in Washington say the goal is to identify potential security risks amid a rise in campus activism following Israel's war in Gaza, which has sharply polarized student opinion. Trump's critics argue, however, the measures are discriminatory and risk undermining access to American higher education for bright students from developing countries — long considered a cornerstone of the US advantage in global research and innovation. 'I had always dreamed of pursuing higher education in the United States and after months of preparation, hard work and dedication, I finally got accepted into New York University,' Mohammad Ibrahim, a student from Lahore, told Arab News over the phone. 'But just as I was preparing for the next big chapter of my life, everything came crashing down,' he continued, adding that due to the sudden visa ban imposed by the Trump administration, his plans have been put on hold. Ibrahim said despite getting admission after meeting all the university requirements, he was now stuck in an uncertain situation, with nothing to do but wait, hope and keep trying to move forward, even when everything had suddenly gone beyond his control. 'It's disappointing,' he said. 'An entire year of my life feels like being wasted.' Inayah Murtaza, an exchange program candidate from the same city, said the new US policy had led to delays in visa interviews and a ban on the exchange student program, leaving her and many others devastated. 'American higher education system provides excellent opportunities. However, the recent policies by the Trump administration are extremely devastating,' she said, adding the ban had hurt her both emotionally and financially. For Malik Zalaid Hassan, from Sheikhupura, who had secured admission to study artificial intelligence at the University of California, the visa suspension was a huge setback. 'I won't get my money back… I just lost a ton of money,' he told Arab News, emphasizing he had already paid thousands of dollars in tuition and housing fees. 'I really hope America does something about this and I really hope it changes because this has an impact on a lot of people,' he continued. Mohammad Ayyan Akhtar, a counselor at UniGrad, an education consultancy firm in Lahore, said the visa appointments ban had placed many students in a heart-wrenching situation. 'It includes their financial losses, and on top of everything, their academic loss is a big concern,' he said. 'The Trump administration should lift [the ban] as early as possible to save the loss of hundreds of Pakistani students [of their] academic year,' he added.
The Star
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Indonesian govt scrambles to help Indonesian students in the United States amid visa suspension policy
JAKARTA: The Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry is looking for options to accommodate Indonesian students currently staying in the United States or planning to depart for their studies amid Washington's move to suspend visa processing for international students globally. Several options considered by the ministry to avoid the students being stranded and hindered from continuing their studies were changing their scholarships, looking for possibilities to move the student's destination to other countries and continuing their studies at an Indonesian institution. 'We are anticipating [this situation] by also coordinating with the Foreign Ministry and scholarship providers, including the Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP),' said Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto in Bandung on Thursday (May 29). 'We are watching, waiting and anticipating so that should the policy come into effect, we won't be caught off guard,' he continued. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered on Tuesday for embassies and consulates to pause scheduling appointments for student visas, pending new guidelines on checking applicants' social media postings, as reported by AFP. The US State Department said on Thursday the suspension would be brief, with its spokesperson Tammy Bruce encouraging prospective students to seek visa appointments. 'I would not be recommending that if this was going to be weeks or months,' Bruce said, as quoted by AFP. 'I can tell you that it's something that would happen perhaps sooner than later.' Following the announcement of Rubio's decision on Tuesday, Minister Brian said in a statement issued on Wednesday that his ministry would coordinate with various parties, universities abroad and in the country to explore possibilities of current and prospective Indonesian students in the US to move to their respective institutions. The ministry also suggested Indonesian students in the US to not leave the country to avoid being denied reentry. Brian also added that the higher education ministry would list Indonesian students for their study field, education level and visa status. Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) rector Tatacipta Dirgantara separately conveyed the university's readiness to accept Indonesian students from the US should the government decide to push them to continue their education from Indonesia. 'We have a clear procedure for transfer students should the situation force us to do so,' Tatacipta said. He added that ITB had done similar things after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC on Sept. 11, 2001, when the university received Indonesian doctoral students and helped them continue their study in the country. Harvard saga Rubio's decision on student visa suspension was announced one week after the US Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard University's certification to participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The decision effectively barred the university from accepting foreign students, who account for more than a quarter of its student body. The revocation was reportedly triggered by Harvard's refusal to comply with a federal request to provide records of visa-holding students allegedly involved in 'illegal and violent activities'. Minister Brian said the higher education ministry would ensure that affected students receive the necessary assistance should the situation deteriorate. The Foreign Ministry said it was watching the policy's development closely, while the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, DC established communication with Indonesian students at Harvard. Harvard filed a lawsuit against the federal government's decision, with US district judge Allison Burroughs ordering the halt of the policy. During an injunction hearing for Harvard's lawsuit in Boston on Thursday, Judge Burroughs said she would later issue a preliminary injunction that gives 'some protection to international students' as the university and Trump's administration prepare to make their cases, AFP reported. Former foreign minister and Prasetiya Mulya University rector Hassan Wirajuda welcomed Judge Burrough's injunction in Harvard's case. He added that Prasetiya Mulya would be ready to receive Indonesian students studying in the US should the government decide to repatriate them. In a post uploaded on Thursday, former deputy foreign minister and cofounder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) Dino Patti Djalal urged Foreign Minister Sugiono to communicate with Rubio to convey Indonesia's concerns regarding the US administration's recent policies that potentially affect international students. The Indonesian Embassy in Washington, DC previously said they had spoken with the US government and shared its 'deep concern over the negative effect' the policy has on Indonesian and other foreign students. The embassy also called for a solution that could ensure Indonesian students at Harvard and other US universities to continue their studies. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Political favour not a factor in appointing Mantashe's son
Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkadimeng has denied claims of political interference in recent Seta board appointments. Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has denied allegations that political connections influenced the appointment of individuals to leadership positions within the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) — including the son of ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe and a former Mpumalanga premier. Speaking during a presentation to parliament's portfolio committee on higher education on Friday, Nkabane stressed that the selection of chairpersons for Seta boards was grounded in legal compliance and merit-based evaluation. 'No candidate was given any preference or suffered any prejudice due to political affiliation or association with any political party,' she said, citing the constitutional right to freedom of association and political choice. From nomination to backlash The minister's remarks followed a firestorm of public criticism over the initial appointments, particularly after it emerged that Gwede Mantashe's son, Buyambo Mantashe, and former Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane were among those recommended. According to the minister, the process began with a public call for nominations in November 2024. This was outlined in Government Gazette 51625. A selection and evaluation panel reportedly reviewed more than 500 candidates, assessing them against criteria such as leadership experience, qualifications (minimum NQF Level 8), and demographic representation. Nkabane stated that, following consultation with the National Skills Authority (NSA), the panel's recommendations were forwarded to the minister on 6 May 2025. She said the NSA responded with an advisory note supporting the appointments on 8 May. However, days later, outrage followed the revelation of politically linked appointees. ALSO READ: Department scrambles to fix curriculum chaos at Gauteng school after delayed start Reopening the process Acknowledging the backlash, Nkabane confirmed she had reopened the process. A new call for nominations was issued on 23 May and will remain open until 13 June. 'Taking heed of the public call and concerns, the nomination process has since been reopened […] to afford stakeholders reasonable time,' she told MPs. The DA welcomed the withdrawal of the appointments, stating it was a necessary reversal of cadre deployment. However, the party insists the minister must still be held accountable. Parliament's portfolio committee also cautioned that the withdrawal 'does not absolve the minister' of accountability. ALSO READ: Gauteng education announces 2026 school admission dates: Here is what you need Integrity and oversight Nkabane reiterated the importance of integrity and impartiality in appointments, asserting that the process followed the Skills Development Act and the King IV governance principles. She added that consultation with the NSA does not equate to seeking approval. 'The decision to appoint the chairpersons and boards ultimately rests with the executive authority, the minister,' Nkabane explained. She reaffirmed her commitment to transparent governance, stressing that all future appointees will undergo induction to ensure they fully understand their roles and responsibilities. NOW READ: Higher Education and Nsfas vow action amid Durban student protests
ABC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Cheat
Skip to main content Go back to home page Home Live TV Shows Movies ABC News ABC Kids Categories Mystery Drama Thrilling University lecturer Dr Leah Dale has always prided herself on her academic integrity so when final year student Rose, submits a suspiciously top-grade essay, Leah is quick to call her out. Katherine Kelly, Molly Windsor, Tom Goodman-Hill, Lorraine Ashbourne, Peter Firth, Burn Gorman, Lara Rossi, Parker Sawyers, Justine Mitchell, Justine Mitchell, Jimmy Akingbola, Neve McIntosh, Joanna Brookes, Philip Bird, Aoife Hinds
