Andrew Drinkwater
@drinkh2o.bsky.social
Empowering strategic enrollment management in higher education
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
In which I lay out the ways other countries handle the interface between universities and defence research and invite everyone to a workshop in Ottawa on the subject in December.
Defence/Security Research | HESA
I have some news today about a new HESA initiative to convene a National Defence Research Roundtable. More details at the end of the blog. But first, a bit of context on the defence and security resea...
higheredstrategy.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
In which I lay out the ways other countries handle the interface between universities and defence research and invite everyone to a workshop in Ottawa on the subject in December.
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
Opinion | Every year American researchers produce relatively fewer papers, and their quality declines while Chinese universities produce relatively more papers and more high-quality papers in science and engineering. https://chroni.cl/3XjPtCS
Opinion | The Decline of the Great American Research University
For years, Chinese universities have been gaining on — and surpassing — Western institutions.
www.chronicle.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Opinion | Every year American researchers produce relatively fewer papers, and their quality declines while Chinese universities produce relatively more papers and more high-quality papers in science and engineering. https://chroni.cl/3XjPtCS
It’s been almost two years since Marc Miller became a household name in Canadian higher education. What does he think of Canada’s new immigration plan, now that he’s not in charge?
apple.news/A9RHhvNkeSne...
apple.news/A9RHhvNkeSne...
This Trudeau minister kickstarted Canada's immigration cuts. Here's what he thinks about Mark Carney's new plan — Toronto Star
Marc Miller was tapped in 2023 by then prime minister Justin Trudeau to rein in rapid immigration growth amid a public outcry.
apple.news
November 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
It’s been almost two years since Marc Miller became a household name in Canadian higher education. What does he think of Canada’s new immigration plan, now that he’s not in charge?
apple.news/A9RHhvNkeSne...
apple.news/A9RHhvNkeSne...
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
Free-tuition Finland has average debt levels similar to Canada, but higher levels of debt incidence
Two-thirds of Finnish graduates finish studies with student loan debt
Average student loan debt more than doubles to over €12k
Student loans typically stood at around 5,000 euros in 2010-11, according to the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Kela.
Brightly lit r...
www.helsinkitimes.fi
November 8, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Free-tuition Finland has average debt levels similar to Canada, but higher levels of debt incidence
Canada’s new federal budget cuts international study permit targets nearly in half but the real story is more complicated.
Read more on the @plaidanalytics.bsky.social blog: www.plaid.is/blog/interna...
Read more on the @plaidanalytics.bsky.social blog: www.plaid.is/blog/interna...
International Student Targets in Canada are Changing (again....)
The 2025 Canadian federal budget brings new clarity - and new uncertainty - for Canadian postsecondary institutions navigating the ongoing recalibration of international enrolment.
There's some posit...
www.plaid.is
November 7, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Canada’s new federal budget cuts international study permit targets nearly in half but the real story is more complicated.
Read more on the @plaidanalytics.bsky.social blog: www.plaid.is/blog/interna...
Read more on the @plaidanalytics.bsky.social blog: www.plaid.is/blog/interna...
That moment when you put the wrong field on your chart, and then realize that this may well be the more accurate representation of Canada's international student targets over the last couple years.
November 7, 2025 at 8:17 PM
That moment when you put the wrong field on your chart, and then realize that this may well be the more accurate representation of Canada's international student targets over the last couple years.
I guess that solves the country versus proximity debate
October 21, 2025 at 3:11 AM
I guess that solves the country versus proximity debate
Langara faculty association votes no confidence in college president. Symbolic move but will be interesting to see what the board says this week. apple.news/AEWdjUW2mRJm...
Langara College president loses non-confidence vote — Vancouver Sun
Faculty association calls on the board of governors to replace the embattled president, giving Nov. 1 deadline.
apple.news
October 20, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Langara faculty association votes no confidence in college president. Symbolic move but will be interesting to see what the board says this week. apple.news/AEWdjUW2mRJm...
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
MLB's final four has been set, aka the Henry Blanco gauntlet, named for the only player to play for the Dodgers, Brewers, Blue Jays, and Mariners
October 12, 2025 at 3:06 AM
MLB's final four has been set, aka the Henry Blanco gauntlet, named for the only player to play for the Dodgers, Brewers, Blue Jays, and Mariners
Couldn’t agree more. Much of our success with data starts with asking questions and being willing to dig into detailed data to clearly articulate what doesn’t make sense.
If you want to be a good data manager, you have to get really comfortable with asking a lot of questions. When something is unclear or doesn't seem right, you can't settle or make assumptions. That's how you end up with bad data. Stay curious.
October 3, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Couldn’t agree more. Much of our success with data starts with asking questions and being willing to dig into detailed data to clearly articulate what doesn’t make sense.
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
Our annual statisical publication, The State of Post-Secondary Education in Canada is out today. The book is very pretty: the state of postsecondary education in Canada isn't.
The State of Postsecondary Education in Canada, 2025 | HESA
Hi all. Today, HESA is releasing the eighth edition of The State of Postsecondary Education in Canada, co-authored by myself … Continued
higheredstrategy.com
September 3, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Our annual statisical publication, The State of Post-Secondary Education in Canada is out today. The book is very pretty: the state of postsecondary education in Canada isn't.
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
Public spending on PSE institutions in Canada hit an all-time high of $37B (in 2023$) just after the 2008-9 recession. It's now $35B.
If spending had kept pace with student # growth it would now be $37B
If it had kept pace w/ pop growth: $42B
With GDP growth: $49B
With govt spending growth: $53B
If spending had kept pace with student # growth it would now be $37B
If it had kept pace w/ pop growth: $42B
With GDP growth: $49B
With govt spending growth: $53B
August 20, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Public spending on PSE institutions in Canada hit an all-time high of $37B (in 2023$) just after the 2008-9 recession. It's now $35B.
If spending had kept pace with student # growth it would now be $37B
If it had kept pace w/ pop growth: $42B
With GDP growth: $49B
With govt spending growth: $53B
If spending had kept pace with student # growth it would now be $37B
If it had kept pace w/ pop growth: $42B
With GDP growth: $49B
With govt spending growth: $53B
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
Evolution of the Age Profile of Canadian Professoriate, 2000 to the present. Number of profs over 65 is up from roughly 800 in 2000 to around 6000 today.
August 5, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Evolution of the Age Profile of Canadian Professoriate, 2000 to the present. Number of profs over 65 is up from roughly 800 in 2000 to around 6000 today.
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
4/ For instance, what if you added something about "social mobility" or "people like me can't get ahead"? How would the results change?
Imagine if our politicians panicked about people not being able to get ahead and not about "affordability".
Imagine if our politicians panicked about people not being able to get ahead and not about "affordability".
July 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
4/ For instance, what if you added something about "social mobility" or "people like me can't get ahead"? How would the results change?
Imagine if our politicians panicked about people not being able to get ahead and not about "affordability".
Imagine if our politicians panicked about people not being able to get ahead and not about "affordability".
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
You may remember the Ford Govt from such policy triumphs as "Mass Slaughter in Long-term Care Facilities" and "Housing? What's That?". Now it wants to remove universities' right to select their own students. Biggest assault on uni autonomy in Canadian history.
higheredstrategy.com/code-red-on-...
higheredstrategy.com/code-red-on-...
Code Red on University Autonomy | HESA
There is no aspect of university autonomy that is more fundamental – in the British Commonwealth at least — than … Continued
higheredstrategy.com
June 3, 2025 at 12:40 PM
You may remember the Ford Govt from such policy triumphs as "Mass Slaughter in Long-term Care Facilities" and "Housing? What's That?". Now it wants to remove universities' right to select their own students. Biggest assault on uni autonomy in Canadian history.
higheredstrategy.com/code-red-on-...
higheredstrategy.com/code-red-on-...
University of Florida has rejected Santa Ono's confirmation as president in a 10-6 vote.
www.gainesville.com/story/news/e...
www.gainesville.com/story/news/e...
Florida Board of Governors rejects Santa Ono as University of Florida president
The selection of the former UM president faced backlash from GOP leaders over his handling of pro-Palestine encampments and his past support of DEI.
www.gainesville.com
June 3, 2025 at 9:42 PM
University of Florida has rejected Santa Ono's confirmation as president in a 10-6 vote.
www.gainesville.com/story/news/e...
www.gainesville.com/story/news/e...
Helpful analysis from @alexusherhesa.bsky.social on how government spending priorities have kept funding to post secondary trending down for years.
Change in overall provincial government spending vs. total provincial government spending on post-secondary education, Canada, 2006-07 to 2025-26 (2006-07 = 100). It's not austerity, it's the choices.
May 17, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Helpful analysis from @alexusherhesa.bsky.social on how government spending priorities have kept funding to post secondary trending down for years.
BREAKING. For my CDN HE colleagues - we've become uncomfortably acquainted with Marc Miller as immigration minister, and seen weekly changes to INTL education. Things are changing again.
Of course, also an election in the air, and all could change again after that.
apple.news/ADwEHSyf4Rhi...
Of course, also an election in the air, and all could change again after that.
apple.news/ADwEHSyf4Rhi...
Mark Carney's new cabinet will shuffle environment minister, remove immigration minister: sources — Toronto Star
Steven Guilbeault to leave the environment file, Marc Miller is out of cabinet entirely and Mélanie Joly will keep her foreign affairs post.
apple.news
March 13, 2025 at 7:19 PM
BREAKING. For my CDN HE colleagues - we've become uncomfortably acquainted with Marc Miller as immigration minister, and seen weekly changes to INTL education. Things are changing again.
Of course, also an election in the air, and all could change again after that.
apple.news/ADwEHSyf4Rhi...
Of course, also an election in the air, and all could change again after that.
apple.news/ADwEHSyf4Rhi...
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
At least 12 universities now have hiring freezes and nearly 30 have cut PhD admissions this year
If you hear of other places you can add them to this google doc:
If you hear of other places you can add them to this google doc:
I created a brief spreadsheet of reductions I've heard of so far. Any additions you know of (especially if you have the links/receipts) would be great: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Graduate Reductions Across Biomedical Sciences (2025)
docs.google.com
February 23, 2025 at 1:16 AM
At least 12 universities now have hiring freezes and nearly 30 have cut PhD admissions this year
If you hear of other places you can add them to this google doc:
If you hear of other places you can add them to this google doc:
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
Now with a corrected link: The interplay of educational attainment, income, diversity, and political lean.
www.highereddatastories.com/2025/02/educ...
www.highereddatastories.com/2025/02/educ...
Educational Attainment and the Presidential Elections
I've been fascinated for a while by the connection between political leanings and education: The correlation is so strong that I once sugges...
www.highereddatastories.com
February 14, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Now with a corrected link: The interplay of educational attainment, income, diversity, and political lean.
www.highereddatastories.com/2025/02/educ...
www.highereddatastories.com/2025/02/educ...
Doesn't get much more Canadian small business than 2 of the 4 RFPs posted on New Years are for small cities to group buy canoes.
(also - higher ed, you aren't alone in data quality and consistency...)
(also - higher ed, you aren't alone in data quality and consistency...)
January 2, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Doesn't get much more Canadian small business than 2 of the 4 RFPs posted on New Years are for small cities to group buy canoes.
(also - higher ed, you aren't alone in data quality and consistency...)
(also - higher ed, you aren't alone in data quality and consistency...)
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
Top X percent admissions plans are expanding beyond Texas because they largely shift admission decisions from universities to the state government. That piece doesn't get nearly enough attention.
UT Austin’s auto-admit rule raises the stakes for applicants
The University of Texas at Austin has rapidly become one of the most selective colleges in the country. That’s partly due to a 30-year-old state policy attracting national attention as an affirmative ...
www.insidehighered.com
December 16, 2024 at 10:54 AM
Top X percent admissions plans are expanding beyond Texas because they largely shift admission decisions from universities to the state government. That piece doesn't get nearly enough attention.
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
Yesterday, a query worked... conceptually. But it took 2 hours to run. Today, with a little ingenuity and optimization, it's down to just 5 minutes.
The difference between "it works" and "it works well" often lies in those iterations and tweaks that go unnoticed—but they make all the difference.
The difference between "it works" and "it works well" often lies in those iterations and tweaks that go unnoticed—but they make all the difference.
December 17, 2024 at 5:55 PM
Yesterday, a query worked... conceptually. But it took 2 hours to run. Today, with a little ingenuity and optimization, it's down to just 5 minutes.
The difference between "it works" and "it works well" often lies in those iterations and tweaks that go unnoticed—but they make all the difference.
The difference between "it works" and "it works well" often lies in those iterations and tweaks that go unnoticed—but they make all the difference.
Reposted by Andrew Drinkwater
Yes, your college's yield rate is STILL falling, v.2023.
Read about the sinister dark force behind it, and why it's gone down every year since at least 2001
www.highereddatastories.com/2024/12/yes-...
Read about the sinister dark force behind it, and why it's gone down every year since at least 2001
www.highereddatastories.com/2024/12/yes-...
Yes, your yield rate is STILL Falling, 2023
This now-annual post is one that boggles and befuddles people, especially those who think that your yield rate is something you control by f...
www.highereddatastories.com
December 9, 2024 at 5:21 PM
Yes, your college's yield rate is STILL falling, v.2023.
Read about the sinister dark force behind it, and why it's gone down every year since at least 2001
www.highereddatastories.com/2024/12/yes-...
Read about the sinister dark force behind it, and why it's gone down every year since at least 2001
www.highereddatastories.com/2024/12/yes-...
This time it’s Sheridan College announcing major restructuring and layoffs.
I don’t know that I can put this any more clearly than the article, so here it is:
I don’t know that I can put this any more clearly than the article, so here it is:
November 26, 2024 at 8:24 PM
This time it’s Sheridan College announcing major restructuring and layoffs.
I don’t know that I can put this any more clearly than the article, so here it is:
I don’t know that I can put this any more clearly than the article, so here it is: