Education News Highlights: August 4–10

Catch up on the key stories from the world of education in this week’s ED-EX.com digest.

Trump Administration Demands $1 Billion from UCLA to Restore Federal Funding

The administration of Donald Trump has demanded that the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) pay $1 billion to settle a dispute related to allegations of civil rights violations. According to UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk, federal authorities have suspended $584 million in funding to the university, including grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Energy.

The U.S. Department of Justice deemed UCLA’s response to the spring 2024 protests inadequate, citing a hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli students, which violates federal anti-discrimination laws. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the university would be held accountable, and investigations will continue at other institutions within the University of California system. 

Earlier, UCLA settled a $6 million lawsuit with Jewish students and a faculty member over similar allegations. The new University of California President, James Milliken, warned that the demanded sum could devastate the state’s higher education system. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Scott Wiener condemned the administration’s actions as politically motivated and an attack on academic freedom.

UCLA is the first public university in the U.S. to have federal grants suspended over civil rights allegations. Previously, such measures applied only to private institutions like Columbia and Brown Universities.

Harvard Faces Loss of Patents Worth Hundreds of Millions of Dollars

The administration of Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Harvard University by launching a comprehensive review of its programs and threatening to seize part of its patent portfolio worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The university is specifically accused of violating legal obligations related to federally funded research. Under the law, the government may seize patents or grant licenses to third parties in such cases.

Harvard, which holds more than 5,800 patents and 900 technology licenses, has been given four weeks to provide detailed information about its assets.

This move follows earlier conflicts, including accusations from the White House that Harvard failed to take sufficient measures to combat antisemitism during student protests. In response to the freezing of federal funding and related losses, the university previously filed a lawsuit.

Harvard had already sued the Trump administration over the freezing of more than $2 billion in federal funding and threats to revoke its tax-exempt status. The Department of Homeland Security also required Harvard to provide detailed information on foreign students, including those involved in “known illegal” or “dangerous” activities. Failure to comply could result in the university losing the right to enroll international students.

These measures are part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration aimed at restricting academic freedom and increasing control over higher education in the U.S. Harvard, with its substantial financial reserves, has become the focal point of this conflict, which could have long-term consequences for the entire higher education system in the country.

Australia to Build Over 85 New Schools by 2030

The Australian government is planning a major expansion of educational infrastructure, with more than 85 new schools to be built across the country by 2030. The project includes primary, secondary, and specialized schools designed to meet the needs of a growing population and modern educational standards.

Construction will be especially active in the states of New South Wales and Victoria. For example, Victoria will see a new campus of Kolbe Catholic College in Mickleham, as well as new schools in the rapidly developing areas of Clyde North and Craigieburn.

The new campuses will feature modern learning spaces and inclusive education facilities to provide a comfortable environment for all students, including those with special needs. The initiative aims to improve both accessibility and quality of education across the continent.

U.S. Education Fairs Held Across India

The United States announced it will host eight “Study in the US” education fairs across various Indian cities from August 9 to 17, 2025. The events will take place in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and several other major cities. The initiative aims to attract Indian students to pursue higher education in American universities.

Prospective students and their parents will have the opportunity to meet university representatives directly and receive comprehensive information on programs, scholarships, admissions, and campus life. More than 50 accredited American universities will participate, showcasing programs ranging from undergraduate to doctoral levels.

The fairs are expected to strengthen educational cooperation between India and the U.S. and offer Indian students more options for quality education abroad.

The initiative is organized by EducationUSA, a global network of advising centers overseen by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. EducationUSA provides international students with free, up-to-date information about admission to accredited American colleges and universities. The network includes over 430 centers in 175 countries and territories.

Major Education Reform in Kuwait Reaches 60% Completion

Kuwait’s Minister of Education, Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, announced that the country has achieved 60% progress in implementing an ambitious education reform plan set for 2025–2027. The reform aims to modernize Kuwait’s national education system and focuses on six key pillars: administrative, financial, engineering, education development, digital transformation, and alignment with international standards.

The reform program includes 39 strategic goals, such as updating curricula, enhancing teacher qualifications, improving infrastructure, and integrating advanced technologies into the learning process.

A key initiative is the establishment of a dedicated support center for gifted students, which the minister described as “a platform to identify and develop student potential and create an educational environment that fosters creativity.” Other important measures include the active integration of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity into the 10th-grade computer science curriculum, as well as updating teaching methods to meet students’ current needs.

The new program for the 2025–2026 academic year will emphasize 21st-century skills like critical thinking and problem-solving, while tailoring content to individual student needs. Teacher training programs to prepare educators for the updated curriculum will be launched both in-person and online before the start of the school year.