Alex Usher

In this engaging conversation, Alex Usher, a higher education analyst and head of Higher Education Strategy Associates, sheds light on pressing global trends in academia. He discusses the effects of Trump's funding cuts on international research, the rising role of private education in various countries, and striking examples of massification in places like Uzbekistan and Dubai. Usher warns about systemic underfunding in Argentina and Kenya while predicting a shift toward austerity in global higher ed, emphasizing the need for international collaboration.

Alex Usher, President of Higher Education Strategy Associates, discusses the dire situation facing Canadian colleges and universities. He highlights the drastic drop in international student enrollment due to tightened immigration policy, jeopardizing financial stability. Usher explains how reliance on these fees has led to cuts in programs, particularly in rural areas. He critiques government involvement in education funding, emphasizing the disconnect from community challenges and the escalating housing crisis impacting students' living conditions.