Asian academia excels Asia is home to 26 of the world's top 200 research universities, the Shanghai Jiao Tong Top 200 Research Universities Encyclopedia shows. Japan and Australia lead the pack in the region, with nine and seven universities in the top 200, respectively. The University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong are the two local institutions that made it into the global rankings. Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan each have one university on the list. Harvard University, Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology occupy the top three slots in the poll. The guide features information about the top-ranked institutions and interviews with their presidents, rectors and vice-chancellors. Men on the march Fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins and other male figures are being asked to join the Million Father March in almost 600 cities across the US on the first day of school in September to show their commitment to their children's education. The Black Star Project is organising the event to encourage fathers to be more involved in their children's education after research found that children whose fathers take an active role in their educational lives do better in school. Businesses are also asked to give fathers and other men two hours off that morning, with pay, to take their children to school. Participating men will be encouraged to volunteer at schools throughout the year. Professor of strategy Professor Bernard Yeung, Dean and Stephen Riady Distinguished Professor of the National University of Singapore Business School, has become the first Asian to be given the Irwin Outstanding Educator Award. Conferred by the Business Policy and Strategy Division of the Academy of Management in the United States, each year the award honours an eminent scholar who has established a longstanding commitment to, and expertise in, imparting strategic management knowledge or educating others in this field. Nominees are required to have at least 15 full years of service, and be closely linked to the development of other outstanding scholars, such as through the mentorship of doctoral students and junior colleagues. Linda Yeung
