Student chronic absenteeism remains high, with surveys revealing concerning attitudes among a quarter of students who do not see missing three weeks as problematic. Meanwhile, the higher education sector faces a 'Great Defection' as many Ph.D. holders and faculty exit academia due to political and financial pressures, threatening teaching quality and institutional stability. Institutions are also adapting assessment methods and exploring retention strategies to address these challenges. These developments signal significant hurdles in student engagement and workforce sustainability in education.