The tantalizing vision of universal access to the cultural and scientific heritage of humanity seemed close to fulfillment in 2008, when Google announced the settlement of a class-action lawsuit charging that its Google Book Search project infringed copyright by scanning in-copyright books from major research-library collections. But it was not to…

As the small states that line the Arabian Peninsula spend billions of petrodollars picking up luxury hotels, satellite television stations, first-class airlines, and high-tech weaponry, three of the emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar) are engaged in a high-stakes game of one-upmanship involving universities, American universities in particular.…

With more than a dozen American universities opening branches and campuses on the Persian Gulf, the oil-rich emirates of the Arabian peninsula are threatening to dethrone cities like Cairo, Baghdad, and Beirut as the academic centers of the Middle East. Wealthy, safe, and relatively stable, these emirates are vying to become the new intellectual…

Over the past quarter-century David Petrie, a 56-year-old Scotsman has attended, in the capacity of plaintiff or interested observer, at least 80 court hearings at various levels of the Italian and pan-European judicial systems--all in cases of alleged job discrimination by Italian universities. In the process, Mr. Petrie has become the public…

A consortium of universities has charged that research money has been concentrated in a small number of states that have already established close ties between higher education and small businesses. Some small-business advocates believe the consortium is trying to win money that has been earmarked for small businesses. (MLW)

Plans for an international database that would furnish university officials with information about educational systems, institutions, and academic credentials around the world are discussed. The Trans Regional Academic Mobility and Credential Evaluation would be on a computer at the National University Computer Center in Montpellier, France. (MLW)

The creation of a postgraduate University of Europe, to be based in Paris but linking new courses offered by a consortium of existing universities in several countries, is being proposed by a group of French faculty members and administrators. (MLW)

A joint project of a United Auto Workers local and Hofstra University provides a liberal arts baccalaureate program for working-class adults, a broader based education than traditional vocational training programs, and trains union leaders. (MSE)

The annual meeting of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education is discussed. Collaboration among and within universities, schools, teacher organizations, and public agencies are seen as the key to educational reform. The goal is the improvement of some aspect of teacher education, research, or schooling. (MLW)

The movement to reform college athletics programs has been least well implemented in the institutions at which it was aimed, those sponsoring the largest and most expensive programs. Some blame the institutions for lack of courage in making changes that would restrict their competitiveness. (MSE)