University students from all over the world marched in protest, with Ireland and Italy voicing anger over tuition fees and Filipino students reacting against "unequal" international relations.
Nearly 20,000 students marched through the streets of Dublin on Wednesday to demonstrate their opposition at the prospect of a hike in student fees in the forthcoming Northern Ireland budget. The were accused of breaking its pre-election pledge of not raising tuition fees and anger was voiced at reports the coalition was considering a major cutback in student grants and support.
Meanwhile in Italy, young people took to Rome roads on Thursday to protest against education budget cuts and austerity measures. Italy's new Prime Minister Mario Monti, who took office on Wednesday, is set to unveil his economic programme amid fears of hard-hitting reforms.
And across the other side of the globe, student activists in Manila, Philippines, united in protest - although this was against alleged unequal relations with the US, rather than tuition fees.