Blog post by Xiaodong Wu, Global Nexus Education Introduction Standardized testing has long been a gatekeeper in higher education admissions. From the SAT and ACT in North America to the Gaokao in China, the CSAT in South Korea, and the A-Levels in the UK, these exams have served as shorthand for academic ability and college… Continue reading Rethinking Standardized Testing: Are Universities Breaking Up or Recommitting?

Blog post by: Liang Cheng and Yang Song In an era defined by disruption, complexity, and opportunity, universities across the Pacific Rim are being called upon to rethink their mission and reimagine their role in society. This imperative took center stage at the recent APEC University Leaders’ Forum (AULF), hosted in Jeju, South Korea, alongside… Continue reading AI for the Public Good: Reimagining Higher Education Across the Pacific Rim

An update on the UN Human Development Report by members of the Global Nexus Senior Management Team This report highlights a significant slowdown in global human development, marking the smallest increase in progress since 1990. It emphasizes the growing disparities between countries with low and very high Human Development Index (HDI) scores, reversing previous trends… Continue reading The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released its 2025 Human Development Report on May 6, titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI.”

By Yang Song and Liang Cheng In April 2025, Harvard University took an unprecedented and principled stand by refusing to comply with a sweeping set of mandates issued by the Trump administration. These demands, tied to billions in federal funding, included eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, conducting ideological audits of faculty, enforcing new… Continue reading Harvard’s Stand: A Defining Moment for Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy

By Yang Song, Liang Cheng and Rob McLay As economies become more dynamic, diverse, and driven by digital developments, the gap between higher education offerings and labour market needs has become increasingly evident and urgent. Although governments are still investing independently in both sectors, there’s a rising acknowledgment that isolated policies can no longer adequately… Continue reading Bridging the Divide: Why Higher Education and Labour Market Policies Must Work Together

By Yang Song, Liang Cheng and Rob McLay

By Liang Cheng and Yang Song Introduction: A Changing Global Education Landscape For decades, international students have viewed the United States as a premier destination for academic excellence, research innovation, and professional opportunity. U.S. universities—bolstered by globally recognized faculty, top-tier facilities, and robust graduate pathways—have long attracted students from every continent. However, in recent years,… Continue reading Shifting Currents: Understanding the Decline in International Student Enrollment at U.S. Universities

By: Liang Cheng and Xiaodong Wu As the global workforce undergoes rapid transformation, universities are challenged to rethink their traditional structures and approaches. Once viewed as the gateway to career success, higher education institutions must now confront a stark reality: the skills they historically prioritized may no longer suffice. From automation and AI to sustainability… Continue reading Universities and the Future of Work: A Call for Bold Adaptation

By Xiaodong Wu Several Canadian institutions have reported significant upticks in interest from U.S. applicants:​ In recent years, Canadian universities have seen a noticeable increase in applications from American students. While Canada has long been an attractive destination for international learners, shifting social, political, and economic dynamics in the United States are now prompting more… Continue reading The Surge in U.S. Applications to Canadian Universities

By the Global Nexus Education Team The landscape of higher education in the United States is undergoing significant and, in many cases, concerning transformations. Both international and domestic student enrollments are experiencing sustained shifts—particularly downward in many regions and demographics—raising pressing questions for policymakers, institutional leaders, and global education partners. At Global Nexus Education Group,… Continue reading Navigating the Shifting Tides of U.S. University Enrollments: Focus on the Declines