Education Funding & Access: Malaysia’s Ministry of Education will roll out RM100 book vouchers for secondary students and public higher-education learners, aiming to reach more than two million students and boost reading. STEM & Research Capacity: Kookmin University in South Korea won a government-backed nanomaterials project to build AI-assisted design tools for next-gen display materials, with partner universities joining the work. Industry-Academia Learning: University of Seoul showcased communication convergence technologies at KOBA 2026, built through a project-based learning program with KBS mentors. Public Health in Schools: India launched a pilot Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions app to help schools self-check and report compliance, starting in Rajasthan, Meghalaya and Maharashtra ahead of a wider rollout. Student Safety & Justice: Kenya arrested eight students over a suspected arson fire at a girls’ boarding school that killed 16 and injured 79. Higher Ed & Global Links: The U.S. Department of Education under secretary visited the University of Hawaiʻi to meet leaders and tour research facilities, focusing on student success and workforce development. Policy Debate: Nigeria’s 2027 election contender Omoyele Sowore says parents who keep children out of school should face criminal sanctions, alongside free education from primary to university.