Year in Review: The Best of University Herald 2024

In 2024, stories of University breakthroughs, issues, and policy changes from around the world piqued the interest of parents or guardians of students and even students themselves.

From positive tuition reforms to schools embracing AI in classrooms, these stories defined higher education this year and will continue to inspire actions in 2025. Here are just a few of the many University Herald moments that mattered most to students, educators, and families.

1. Top Universities in US Expand Free Tuition for Middle-Income Families Earning Below $200K

This shift in affordability saw major signature universities completely offering free tuition for middle-income households, easing millions into higher education. It shows readers the hope that big higher education institutions are breaking down barriers to quality learning one by one, painting the dream of how college should be for many: more accessible and life-changing.

2. College Football Player Dies From Head Injury Sustained During Game Collision

This tragedy came home to readers as it sharpened the dangers of college athletics. This resulted in more talk about student-athlete safety and whether enough is being done at schools to protect those on the field.

3. Nearly 1 Million Students of University of Phoenix Owe $21.6 Billion in Loans; School Policies Questioned

Over 1 million students who faced flat into crushing student debt rang with readers under similar burdens. It revealed institutional, systemic problems and argued for more accountability and fairer relations in practice. The massive debt is crimping even those who have already graduated from the University of Phoenix.

4. University of Austin Launches Free Speech Model and Free Tuition Fee for Students with Under $100K Family Income

Upcoming and existing college students connected with UATX's decision and considered it an endorsement for striking an all-important balance between financial accessibility and academic freedom across all US universities. For UATX, starting an initiative on free speech and tuition support provides a dual emphasis on educational equity and discourse that could allow critical thinking to prosper.

5. 5 Quick Tips on How to Earn Extra Cash to Fund College Expenses

Considered a short handbook, this article provided students with ways to tackle college financial issues. This was made to let college students know that practicality is possible through seeking resources and working. At the same time, it's a real set of tips that already proved to have eased the problems of college students struggling to fund their expenses without applying for a student loan.

6. Stellenbosch University Unveils Revolutionary Humanoid Robot Set to Redefine Remote Operation Research

Stellenbosch University finally made its humanoid robot public, showing how far technology has evolved when it comes to propelling research capabilities. This futuristic innovation has been an exciting read among readers because it is a testament to academics taking the lead toward breakthroughs in technology. It did remind people of how education can be an industry creator and solve a lot of things globally.

7. US College Students Struggle with Reading Skills; Technology Blamed for Shorter Attention Spans

Declining reading proficiency complaints are coming from the effect that technology has continually been making on how students learn and in the literacy levels achieved by them. Both educators and parents raise concerns about how students distanced themselves socially from learning as brought about by digital distraction.

8. Trinity College Cambridge Faces Pro-Palestine Protests for Misleading Arms Deal with Israel, Shares No Plans to Divest

The protest over an arms deal at Trinity College is considered as the surface of student activism happening across global universities, following the Israel-Palestine conflict that divided people in different political parties. Part of the readers' attention came from an earlier report that pro-Palestine protests put the college in submission, but no divesture will happen still as to not lose funding.

9. Eight US Business Schools Reach New Record High of Women Enrollees, Rising 13% This Year

A significant increase of women in the top business schools marked great progress toward gender diversity in higher institutions. Readers commemorated the win for gender as they became inspired by the moves being taken toward inclusiveness in long male-dominated environments such as business education.

10. MIT Offers Free Tuition for Families Earning Below $200k, Covering 80% of US Households

MIT, as a powerhouse among other universities, is finally allowing most US families to access quality higher education. Reported earlier than the news of top US universities following its footsteps, MIT's tuition policy set a powerful precedent in affordability. Many, especially those who came from families earning below $200k, saw it as their way out into a promising future.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we prepare for 2025, the higher education sector will face more changes, hopefully positive as new leadership from different countries takes effect in the next few months. However, what's certain as of this writing is the existence of access to college education, which the previous years lacked to provide for students.

Thank you to our readers for making 2024 an incredible journey. Here's to more educational insights and wins in 2025!