MEXT published planned enrollment-capacity changes for private universities, one national university, and one national college of technology from the 2027 academic year. The list includes new or expanded programs in fields such as information engineering, digital media, nursing, architecture and design, and green and digital engineering.
Turkey’s Council of Higher Education published procedures and principles for micro-credentials in higher education. The framework allows certain short, skills-based learning outcomes to be recognised within the academic credit system under defined conditions.
New Zealand approved technical changes affecting vocational and tertiary education, including reporting micro-credentials to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. The update forms part of wider education system reform legislation.
New Zealand confirmed the final design of the Tertiary Research Excellence Fund, which will replace the Performance-Based Research Fund from 2029. The new fund will allocate NZD 315 million per year using a revised set of measures.
New Zealand opened consultation on proposed variations to tertiary funding determinations for 2027 and on a new determination for the Tertiary Research Excellence Fund. Funding determinations are ministerial instructions to the Tertiary Education Commission and operate as secondary legislation.
New Zealand opened consultation on tertiary fee regulation settings for 2027, including a proposed 6.0 percent Annual Maximum Fee Movement. The consultation also proposes retaining the micro-credential fee cap at NZD 64 per credit.
Southern Cross University became the latest Australian university to offer up to one year of credit toward selected degrees for eligible TAFE students. The change supports national efforts to improve movement between vocational education and higher education.
Victoria updated International Student Program guidance to require schools to report annually to school council on compliance with the ESOS Act. The update also notes that accredited schools will receive an ISP ESOS Compliance Report in Term 3.
The Australian Government published the 2027 indexed rates for Commonwealth Supported Places and related higher education funding settings. This annual update affects provider funding calculations and student contribution settings for the 2027 year.
The Australian Government introduced legislation to create Managed Growth Funding and Needs-Based Funding for universities. The bill is part of the Universities Accord reform agenda and is intended to expand access, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and regional or remote communities.