Home › Laurvo News › 16 October 2026
Laurvo News · Friday, 16 October 2026
Newcastle and Westminster have joined Southampton in not renewing their deal with the plagiarism checker. There are questions over how the service is adapting to the age of AI.
Why it leads today: Universities dropping a plagiarism checker over AI concerns shows how assessment is changing, which affects how every student's work will be judged.
Source: Inside Higher Ed
Academic freedom, campus welfare and the place of AI in teaching and assessment lead today's brief, with student leadership in Zambia also featured. Eight fellowships, scholarships and programmes are listed, most with deadlines between November and April.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has condemned what it describes as alleged intimidation of a lecturer by the Katsina State Government. The lecturer had made a statement on insecurity.
Why it matters: Freedom to comment on public issues matters to lecturers, researchers and the students they teach.
Source: Punch
Gombe State University's Centre for Gender Studies says it has received no formal sexual harassment complaints since introducing its new policy.
Why it matters: Campus safety policies matter to students, and reporting records show how they are used.
Source: Punch
The Association of Private Educators in Nigeria says artificial intelligence cannot replace teachers. It stresses that human connection remains central to education.
Why it matters: The debate on AI in classrooms shapes how students are taught and assessed.
Source: Punch
Professor Jonathan Fletcher, founding Dean of the University of Ghana's School of Education and Leadership, urged educators to embrace continuous learning, collaboration and innovation. He said this would improve teaching and prepare learners for leadership.
Why it matters: Teaching quality at university level depends on how educators keep learning.
Source: Daily Graphic
The Zambia National Education Coalition says student leadership helps build accountable, inclusive and responsive institutions. It points to accountability, mentorship, advocacy and participation in decision-making in higher education.
Why it matters: Student voice in decisions affects fees, welfare and academic life on campus.
Source: Lusaka Times
Research in a Nairobi community looked at antibiotic resistance. It notes that healthy microbes spread through handshakes and shared food or water, and that disease-causing agents spread in a similar way.
Why it matters: A clear example of community-based African research on a major health problem.
Source: The Conversation Africa
An article describes how two ways of seeing, including Indigenous knowledge, helped bring ancient animal tracks to life. It says Indigenous knowledge has pushed scientists' boundaries.
Why it matters: Shows how different knowledge systems can strengthen research.
Source: The Conversation Africa
Newcastle and Westminster have joined Southampton in not renewing their deal with the plagiarism checker. There are questions over how the service is adapting to the age of AI.
Why it matters: Shows how institutions are rethinking the way student work is checked.
Source: Inside Higher Ed
Artificial intelligence is raising existential questions about knowledge and humanity. This is creating strong demand for philosophy professors able to investigate them.
Why it matters: AI is increasing demand for humanities skills such as reasoning and ethics.
Source: Inside Higher Ed
A new report looks at emergency aid programmes in seven states. It highlights how eligibility rules, application processes and other design choices shape students' access to help.
Why it matters: Offers ideas on how emergency support can reach students who need it.
Source: Inside Higher Ed
France's prime minister has suggested that student anger is being weaponised ahead of the presidential election. Unions and other protesters are also preparing to take to the streets.
Why it matters: Shows how student protest can become a political issue.
Source: BBC Education
The Social Science Research Council's APDD programme invites applications from African researchers for its 2027 Individual Research Fellowships.
Deadline: 15 January 2027
Why it matters: A research fellowship aimed specifically at African scholars.
Source: ssrc.org
A writing and discussion project in the humanities for a recent university graduate from any field. It is for those interested in the humanities and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Deadline: 15 November 2026
Why it matters: Builds writing and discussion skills, and is open to graduates from any field.
Source: hmu.edu
The programme is hosted by the Center for Universal Education at Brookings in Washington D.C. It is fully funded and carries a $26,500 stipend.
Deadline: 1 December 2026
Why it matters: A funded research placement at a leading policy institution.
Source: brookings.edu
Applications are open for master's or doctoral students. The fellowship is worth $15,000 per year.
Deadline: 15 December 2026, 11:59 PM U.S. ET
Why it matters: Funding for postgraduate study, with a deadline in December.
Source: worldwildlife.org
The Japanese government scholarship is open to applicants for a master's or PhD degree starting in October 2027. The University of Tokyo has 15 graduate schools.
Why it matters: A fully funded route to postgraduate study abroad.
Source: Opportunities Corners
A limited number of stipends are offered through the Bridging Divides programme. They are open to full-time master's and PhD students studying or applying to study at Toronto Metropolitan University on a migration-related topic.
Deadline: 1 April 2027
Why it matters: Stipend support for postgraduate research on migration.
Source: Opportunity Desk
The fully funded programme is sponsored by the US Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative. It is open to undergraduate and graduate students from the Middle East and North Africa.
Deadline: 18 November 2026
Why it matters: A fully funded leadership programme for students in North Africa.
Source: tomorrowsleadersprogram.org
The funded internship is run by the United Nations University Office of the Rector for highly qualified candidates. It takes place in Tokyo, Japan.
Deadline: 1 November 2026
Why it matters: Gives early-career experience in the UN system, with funding.
Source: careers.unu.edu
Open each paragraph with a sentence that states your claim, then give evidence, then explain why it matters. Readers and examiners should know your point before they meet your proof. Weak: 'Many studies discuss water access.' Stronger: 'Water access shapes school attendance more than distance alone.' Then cite one source and finish with a sentence beginning 'This suggests...'. If you cannot write the claim in one sentence, you do not yet have a paragraph.
Try this today: Pick one paragraph from your last essay. Rewrite its first sentence as a clear claim, and add a final sentence starting 'This suggests'.
Lead Laurvo at your university: become a campus ambassador →