> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsletters.qs.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🍃 China with 60% of the world's mega dams. Canada’s R&D spending on HE. South Africa tops platinum production. - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/china-with-60-of-the-worlds-mega-dams-canadas-r-d-spending-on-he-south-africa-tops-platinum-production/ - Published: 2026-01-21T12:30:11.000Z - Updated: 2026-01-27T05:22:18.000Z - Description: Chart of the Day #524 looks at higher education in Canada, the largest dams by installed energy capacity, and the top platinum-producing countries. - Author: QS - Tags: Charts **Hello 👋** Mexico to [expand](https://mexicobusiness.news/talent/news/mexico-expands-strategic-education-address-skills-gap?ref=newsletters.qs.com) strategic education aimed at addressing skills gap across AI and cybersecurity. CMA foundation to [upskill](https://www.cma.ca/latest-stories/new-cma-foundation-partnership-supports-newcomer-physicians-enter-canadas-health-workforce?ref=newsletters.qs.com) Canadian physicians. Stardust Solar [launches](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/stardust-solar-launches-international-training-142200372.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) International Training License Program. VTEC to [expand](https://themalaysianreserve.com/2026/01/21/vtec-announces-national-expansion-anchored-by-fort-gillem-national-training-center/amp/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) advanced manufacturing training program. Anthropic [partners](https://www.anthropic.com/news/anthropic-teach-for-all?ref=newsletters.qs.com) with Teach For All to support responsible AI use and training to educators in classrooms globally. Philippines and Canada [launch](https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/01/21/2502366/philippines-canada-launchcyber-security-training?ref=newsletters.qs.com) cyber security training. India and the UAE signed an [agreement](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-20/ae/india-and-uae-expand-student-mobility-with-new-higher-education-pact/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to boost student mobility through easier visas, credit recognition, and joint degrees. ### Today's Topics 🎓 **Higher Education.** Canada’s higher education R&D averaged at nearly $475 per capita **🍃 Green Skills.** China accounted for nearly 60% of the world’s largest dams 🏭 **Advanced Manufacturing.** South Africa leads global platinum production Thanks for reading! **Not a subscriber yet?** [Subscribe now](https://newsletters.qs.com/#/portal/) --- ## 🎓 Canada’s higher education R&D averaged at nearly $475 per capita [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/01/data-src-image-187d38c9-85b6-458e-9f7a-07d31a1a7965.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCHRWZODPWBAR8DRNPL7?ref=newsletters.qs.com) Canada’s higher education R&D spending averaged nearly $475 per capita in 2023-2024, driven by strong investment in Quebec, Ontario, and research-intensive Atlantic provinces. This level is driven by large research universities, federal granting councils, and provincially supported innovation ecosystems. However, [uneven provincial capacity](https://www.rbc.com/en/thought-leadership/skills/testing-times-fending-off-a-crisis-in-canadian-postsecondary-education/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) still limits national spillovers. Smaller provinces with limited research infrastructure continue to lag, widening innovation gaps. Strengthening interprovincial research networks and [expanding federal tri-council funding](https://nserc-crsng.canada.ca/en/funding/research-partnerships-and-collaborations/inter-agency/tri-agency-financial-administration-1?ref=newsletters.qs.com) could help rebalance capacity under Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan. ## **🍃** China accounted for nearly 60% of the world’s largest dams [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/01/data-src-image-bee14357-250d-48fb-b47b-8c20065557ea.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCHOP77SSVFFSRN5AJVO?ref=newsletters.qs.com) China accounted for nearly 60% of the world’s largest dams by installed capacity, reflecting decades of state-led investment in hydropower and grid-scale energy security. Large river basins and centralised planning have allowed projects to be built at unmatched scale. In South America, [major dams operate under rising water scarcity](https://privatebank.jpmorgan.com/latam/en/insights/markets-and-investing/the-paradox-of-abundance-and-scarcity-latin-americas-water-crunch?ref=newsletters.qs.com) as droughts and competing agricultural demand reduce reliability. [China’s Renewable Energy Law ](https://www.iea.org/policies/3080-renewable-energy-law-of-the-peoples-republic-of-china?ref=newsletters.qs.com)continues to prioritise hydropower expansion, while South American governments increasingly rely on integrated water resource management policies to balance energy and water use. ## 🏭 South Africa leads global platinum production [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/01/data-src-image-e9e8523b-97df-41d7-b052-4fdd26a6446b.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCHF4JLK0JTB8OTZ43SM?ref=newsletters.qs.com) South Africa produced nearly 70% of the world’s platinum, supported by its [vast mineral-rich Bushveld Complex](https://implats-ir.co.za/reports/implats-iar-2015/implats-minerals-report-2015/the-bushveld-complex.php?ref=newsletters.qs.com), long-established mining infrastructure, and skilled workforce. Platinum remains critical for catalytic converters in vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, and various industrial applications, [supporting the transition to cleaner energy and sustainable transport](https://matthey.com/documents/161599/3147297/Platinum%5FWhitepaper.pdf/175a6f9e-ea12-9de9-3bd4-310d7c11776f?t=1688640092930&ref=newsletters.qs.com). To sustain production and environmental compliance, South Africa enforces the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act alongside environmental management regulations, while promoting investment in green mining technologies and beneficiation to maximise local economic benefits. --- **Like getting this newsletter?* Request a demo for unlimited access to over one million charts* [Request a Demo](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/2C1%5FV5ni4SEyLILjrqcyQnQfigrs?%5F%5Fhstc=246933147.4a0f9c817dbdb1552dab36c635584622.1688407869224.1749831404162.1749845959660.481&%5F%5Fhssc=246933147.4.1749845959660&%5F%5Fhsfp=4268195782&ref=newsletters.qs.com) --- **Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!** Have some feedback or want to sponsor this newsletter? Let us know at [qs.com.](https://www.qs.com/contact-us/?ref=newsletters.qs.com)