Present contribution to higher education (4)
I believe the answer is:
here
'present' is the definition.
(both can mean in attendance)
'contribution to higher education' is the wordplay.
'contribution to' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'HERE' is hidden within 'higher education'.
(Other definitions for here that I've seen before include "In this place - present" , "On this spot" , "Hither" , "Present - at this point" , "Present; I say!" .)