Author: robin.mclay

By Tony Wu and Liang Cheng IntroductionChina’s higher education system in 2025 stands at a crossroads, shaped by a confluence of demographic shifts, evolving job market needs, digital transformation, and intensified policy guidance. This article provides a detailed look at these changes with particular emphasis on how a declining birth rate and other demographic trends… Continue reading The New Realities of China’s Higher Education in 2025

By Liang Cheng IntroductionPolitical changes in Washington, D.C. have long had a dramatic impact on international development agencies, but recent developments surrounding the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) stand out for their severity and speed. In addition to traditional disruptions such as tariffs and government shutdowns, we are witnessing an extraordinary series of… Continue reading Whiplash in Global Education Aid: The Ongoing Upheaval at USAID

By Yang Song and Rob McLay Over the past few years, academic collaboration between China and leading universities across the globe has faced growing scrutiny. What began as an emphasis on national security and intellectual property in the United States has now extended to other regions, prompting institutions in Europe, Australia, and elsewhere to reevaluate… Continue reading Decoupling in Higher Education: Unraveling Global Academic Partnerships

By Liang Cheng, Yang Song, Tony Wu, and Rob McLay Artificial Intelligence (AI) has entered a new era—one where cutting-edge research rapidly turns into solutions that shape everything from healthcare to finance and education. Governments, universities, and private companies worldwide are ramping up AI initiatives, but a notable trend has emerged: Chinese students are increasingly… Continue reading Chinese Students Driving Global AI Innovation: Lessons from Deepseek

By Rob McLay, Yang Song, Tony Wu and Liang Cheng Introduction China’s educational ambitions have long been a topic of global interest, with the country steadily moving to reshape its education system into one of the world’s most formidable. In a recent commentary article published by University World News on 22 January 2025, Professor Futao… Continue reading China’s New Global Education Plan – A Bold Leap or a Measured Step Forward?

Blog post by: Liang Cheng and Rob McLay Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to evolve at breakneck speed, reshaping how we live and work. While OECD labour markets remain historically tight—unemployment in some countries is at levels not seen since the early 1970s—many workers are feeling the pinch of high inflation and sluggish wage growth. At… Continue reading AI & The Future of Work

Blog post by:  Yang Song & Rob McLay The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) place a strong emphasis on the role of education in shaping equitable and sustainable futures. In particular, SDG 4 aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” While the goal itself focuses on… Continue reading Education as a Catalyst for Economic Prosperity and Social Progress: Insights from Cutting-Edge Research