Austria, US, Australia: University News

The TopUniversities.com guide to the latest university news from around the world, on 17 September 2013.

Austria: Researchers find variety of genomes in individuals

Researchers at Innsbruck Medical University in Austria have discovered a mix of genomes in individuals’ cheek swabs, suggesting genetic variation in a single body, reports The New York Times. The samples came from people who’d had bone marrow transplants, and their swabs contained a mix of genomes from themselves and the donors, showing that the stem cells they’d received had become cells lining the cheek. Variations of this occurrence have been published in a series of recent papers by a geneticist at Stanford University, Alexander Urban, who said: “We now know it’s there… now we’re mapping this new continent.”

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US: New university lets students travel the world while studying

The Minerva Schools at KGI is a new type of university that conducts online learning but also requires students to travel the world, reports USA Today. Students will be required to experience local culture in major cities, with total costs of about US$28,850 running to about half of what students in highly selective private institutions pay. Before it officially opens in fall 2015, a small group will test drive the curriculum, and will get free tuition in return. Founder of the Minerva Project, Ben Nelson, said that “the difference living in the hills of New Hampshire and living in seven world capitals over four years… requires a level of maturity, determination and an ability to self-direct, which may not be as critical (for students) in a traditional university."

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Australia: Coalition government committed to maintaining education funding

The main education lobby groups in Australia have commented on the new Coalition government’s education policies, reports University World News. Chair of the innovative research universities group, Professor Barney Glover, said: “the Coalition’s policy statement, Real Solutions, identifies higher education as one of the five pillars of the Australian economy and commits to maintaining current funding arrangements, fixing regulation overload and addressing the infrastructure gap. Based on our discussions with government members we are confident that they will pursue these issues.”

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US: Boston University breaks fundraising record

Boston University has raised US$116.9 million this year, exceeding its previous fundraising record of US$89 million in 2011, reports BU Today. This pushes the Campaign for Boston University, as its called, past the halfway mark of its US$1 billion target. So far it has contributed towards a new medical school residence, endowed professors and scholarships for student financial aid. President Robert A. Brown said: “Our alumni and friends are participating in growing numbers, rallying around our plan for growing the quality and impact of the University in undergraduate and graduate education and research.”

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