31 March 2019
The Association of African Universities (AAU) has launched its North Africa Regional Office in Egypt in a move to decentralise the association’s activities and increase its visibility and impact in the region. Read more
Five-University Partnership to Focus on Global Challenges
A new partnership involving North Carolina State University in the United States and four others in Africa seeks to engage students at the institutions in ‘vigorous research’ to find solutions to persistent global challenges such as food shortages, health challenges and the effects of climate change. Read more
Low Number of Scholars Impedes Regional Economic Growth
Sub-Saharan Africa will struggle to catch up with the rest of the world in economic expansion due to its comparatively low contribution to research and innovation, according to speakers at the recent Young Scholars in Africa Conference hosted by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Read more
New Online Course Helps to Plug Doctoral Supervision Gap
A new online course for doctoral supervisors is aimed at building the capacity of higher education staff in the face of growing demand for PhDs throughout the African continent and concomitant low completion and high student dropout rates. Read more
Poor Grant-Writing Skills are Holding Back Young Scholars
Lack of experience in proposal and grant writing has been identified as one of several barriers preventing young African scientists from accessing potential research funding, the recent DAAD Young Scholars in Africa conference, held in Nairobi, Kenya, heard. Read more
Quality Versus Quantity – The Great PhD Debate
Has Africa’s quest to rapidly expand its pool of PhDs compromised the quality and global competitiveness of its doctoral holders? This was a key focus in a debate on doctoral quality which took place during a capacity-building session at the recent Young Scholars in Africa Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. Read more
Robust HE Systems – A Bedrock for Research Capacity
Building higher education systems that will support research capacity among young scholars in Africa’s institutions of higher learning will be critical in the quest for sustainable development and the building of greater research capacity on the continent, according to German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) President Professor Margret Wintermantel. Read more
SADC Meeting Agrees on Need for STEM in Industrialisation
Higher education curricula in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) must pivot on science, technology and innovation if industrialisation of the region is to be achieved, as envisaged in the bloc’s Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2063. Read more
Taking a Locally Sensitive Approach to Student Suicide
The prevalence of suicidal behaviour among pre-university students and university students presents a major challenge to African higher education institutions and calls for culturally-appropriate and locally-tailored interventions, according to experts. Read more
The Power of Scholarships in a Time of Poor Research Funds
By reaching a higher level of education, scholarship holders increase their chances of appropriate employment and obtaining a leadership position. Therefore, Africa needs to overhaul its higher education systems to foster research in universities, attract quality scholarships and reduce over-reliance on government funding. Read more
The Publish-and-Perish Epidemic – Counting the Costs
The good old mantra of ‘publish or perish’ is no more. More and more academics anticipate or face demotion rather than promotion, and condemnation rather than commendation, on account of the publications they produce, either knowingly or otherwise, through dubious journals. What are the economic and financial, academic and social costs of this scourge? Read more
The Role of African Universities as Development Partners
In the 21st century African universities must shift to playing a new role as development partners in order to legitimise their existence, increase their relevance, boost their links to society and the economy and leverage African development. In other words, African universities must move from status symbols to instruments of national development. Read more
28 February 2019
African Leadership University on Most Innovative List
African Leadership University (ALU) is ranked in the world’s 50 most innovative companies of 2019, according to business magazine Fast Company. Read more
Announcing Three Ruforum Grant Recipients for Community Action Research Programmes Plus (carp+) 2019
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) a consortium of 105 Universities in 37 Countries in Africa under its Vision 2030 is implementing the TAGDev, one of the four flagships that aim at transforming African Agricultural Universities and their graduates to meaningfully contribute to Africa’s growth and development. Read more
Centres of Excellence Meet to Learn, Share Experiences
African Centres of Excellence (ACEs) and their partners converged last Monday in Djibouti for an inaugural ACE Impact workshop and boot camp aimed at strengthening research and development programmes, nurturing innovation and learning from shared experiences. Read more
Faculty of Science Postgraduate Elite Scholarships for Africans at University of Strathclyde in UK, 2019
The new Faculty of Science Postgraduate Elite Scholarships is now available on offer for all new African students. This scholarship available for students studying on MSc/PGT programmes in Science. Read more
Giving Africans the Digital Skills They Need for the Future
Sixty per cent of the African population is under the age of 25 and many millions of people struggle daily with education and employment opportunities. Despite the growing demand for quality institutions of learning and higher education, there are insufficient players. Read more
FAO and Ruforum Link Students and Local Communities for Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture and Reducing Rural Poverty in Africa
In 2018 the Regional Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) implemented the Community-Based Field Attachment Award (CFAPA) program, which was supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for promoting youth support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in particular, SDG2. Read more
Funders, Public Key to Growing Research Capacity – Study
African-led organisations and initiatives that are geared towards research capacity strengthening in Africa are failing to properly take account of either funders or the general public – two ‘populations’ that could have a positive influence on boosting research capacity, a new study suggests. Read more
Has Marketisation of Higher Education Reached its Limits?
Ever since the mid-1980s when the Japanese Kaizen (‘improvement’) approach and Toyota Production System (TPS) quality mechanisms were adopted by major players in business and beyond, ‘quality’ has also become a dominant orthodoxy across higher education systems. Read more
Humanising Higher Education via Inclusive Leadership
The demand for higher education of all types is at an all-time high. As the world becomes more integrated and interdependent through the processes of globalisation and internationalisation and more driven by and dependent on advanced knowledge, skills and competencies, lifelong learning has not only become a necessity for economic development and social progress, but it is now recognised as a human right. Read more
Open Africa Power 2019 Edition, Enel Foundation Program to be Held in Addis Ababa.
Open African Power is an educational venture initiated by Enel Foundation in 2018 in partnership with top Academic institutions in Italy and Africa, aiming to forge a new generation of African leaders deeply engaged with their countries clean energy future. It is a large program divided into different modules and will take place in Addis Ababa and Italy between January and Jun 2019. Read more
Quality Assurance Guidelines Await Ministerial Approval
Guidelines for quality assurance in African higher education, aimed at increasing access to quality education while addressing social development and employability, are ready for use but await endorsement by ministers of higher education in Africa, either in 2019 or 2020 when they meet for the continental meetings. Read more
31 January 2019
2019 University Ranking: UoN ranked best in East Africa, defeats Makerere
University of Nairobi (UoN) is the best institution for Higher Learning in East Africa according to the latest Webometrics ranking of world universities. Read more
Africa in the Global Economic Context
Globally, 2019 could provide the strongest growth prospects seen since the global financial crisis ten years ago. In recent years, however, the global economy has been firmly entrenched in a “low growth paradigm”. Read more
Bridging the AI Divide Between Sciences and Humanities
The countries that make up the Pacific Rim lie across four continents and number in the dozens. While some of these nations are advanced economies, others are developing or may be classified as newly industrialised. Moreover, the region is a melting pot of cultural, religious and political diversity. Read more
EU, AU to Increase Institutional Cooperation on ‘Shared Challenges’
The African and European continental bodies are vowing to push for closer institutional ties as common crises abound. Read more
HE Institutions Contribute to Solar Energy Project
The Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative (SOLTRAIN) is working with universities, polytechnics and vocational training institutions to help targeted Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries to make the switch from fossil fuel to renewable energy using solar thermal systems. Read more
Symposium on Higher Education Forum on Africa, Asia and Latin America
The second HEFAALA symposium will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 26 and 27 July 2019 under a theme “ International of Higher Education in the New Era of World (Dis) order”. Read more
Higher Education Institutions Need to Unpack the Link between Education, Employability and Entrepreneurship
It is axiomatic to state that business models, across all sectors of the economy, are being fundamentally disrupted. From the pervasive use of exponential technologies, the rise of smart machines and artificial intelligence, shifting demographics, increased market transparency, limitless individual choices and consumer sophistication – their structural impacts are clear to see. The confluence of the foregoing factors is the key driver of the transformation and disruption of business models. Read more
Is Internationalisation Creating Inequality in Higher Education?
Inequality is a word that has recently dominated public discourse, mainly with regard to its economic meaning of income and wealth inequality, but also in terms of social and educational inequality. Many researchers and organisations around the world have addressed the subject of inequality, and its reduction within and among countries is one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 10). Read more
New Journal to Boost Dissemination of African Research
A new African journal is to boost access to research output, particularly for African university academics, through a new peer-reviewed and open access publication that aims to increase intra-African research collaborations across scientific disciplines. Read more
Science Academy Launches ‘Good Practice’ Tool
The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) has introduced a ‘good practice’ tool that it hopes will boost funders’ willingness to pay grants directly to African researchers and improve African research institutions’ grant governance. Read more
The Challenge for African Science
Panelists at the 2019 IBRO-SIMONS Computational Neuroscience Imbizo (isiCNI2019) debated and discussed the challenges faced by African scientists and science scholars, as well as the significant contributions Africa can make to the sciences in general. Read more
31 December 2018
Does African Agriculture Need a Green Revolution?
Agricultural sectors across Africa need their own green revolution building on local knowledge and culture, as well as a green disruption building on new digital and other technology. Read more
Education Is Key To Africa’s Sustainable Development
University of Zambia (UNZA) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Luke Evuta Mumba, has said that among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, Education is the single most powerful one which if achieved has a positive multiplier effect in the achievement of the other goals. Read more
Newly Launched Research Centre for Food Security Aims to Transform Food Policy
The African Research Universities Alliance Centre of Excellence for Food Security was recently launched at the University of Pretoria’s Future Africa campus. The theme of the launch was ‘The future of food in Africa’. Read more
Pan African University’s Growing PhD Graduation Numbers
The Pan African University has made further strides in meeting its mandate as a postgraduate training institution, qualifying 16 doctoral students recently at two of its institutes – the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (PAULESI) in Nigeria, and the Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI) in Kenya. Read more
Practice-Oriented German Universities Reach Africa
Egypt is to host the German University of Applied Sciences (GUAS) as a model for practice-oriented academic training that will be operational by 2020 and will be the first of its kind in the North Africa region. Read more
Research Universities – Lessons for Africa from China
A study concluded that a serious challenge for governments in Africa was to create higher education systems in which universities would be strong and dynamic enough to withstand the tensions inherent in their multiple, contradictory functions, while at the same time being able to respond to what they see as their specific mission at any given moment. Read more
Through HE, Russia Signals Intention to Renew Influence
The launch last month of the Russian Namibian Cultural and Educational Centre (RusNam) in Windhoek, Namibia, is part of a series of initiatives that seem to signal Russia’s intention to use higher education as a diplomatic vehicle with which to renew its influence in Africa. Read more
30 November 2018
Africa’s Higher Education Institutions in the 21st century: An age of discontinuity’ 7 -9, 2018
The impact of the various socio-political, socio-economic as well as competitive driving forces are such that it is quite likely that Africa’s HEI’s, collectively and individually, will be confronted with fundamental decisions that may very well involve their future sustainable success. Read more
African Students Secure EU Funds to Tackle Loneliness
A project implemented by the Zimbabwe-United Kingdom Students Network (ZIMUKSN) will see over 30 university students and youth converge on Brighton in the United Kingdom in December for training aimed at addressing high levels of loneliness and social isolation facing minorities in Europe. Read more
Enhancing University Partnerships in Soft Power Drive
Japan is reaching out to build partnerships with African universities – a move seen as part of a broader strategy of higher education diplomacy or ‘soft power’ aimed at building regional alliances and partnerships to serve the country’s cultural and economic agendas. Read more
Harness Science for Growth, African Leaders are Told
Africa’s success relies on its capability to harness its demographic dividend by equipping its youth with the technological and innovative skills which, in the longer term, will be a catalyst for economic growth, a recent African Union gathering of 10 heads of state heard. Read more
Practice-Oriented German Universities Reach Africa
Egypt is to host the German University of Applied Sciences (GUAS) as a model for practice-oriented academic training that will be operational by 2020 and will be the first of its kind in the North Africa region. Read more
AVU Selected to Host the Regional Higher Education Data Hub for the Paset Benchmarking Initiative
To continue improving the quality and relevance of learning, research and technology transfer in institutions offering applied sciences, engineering and technology (ASET) programs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the World Bank, under the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) initiative, launched the Regional Benchmarking of African universities Initiative in November 2015. Read more
The Dangerous Rise of Neo-Liberal Universities
A new school of thought is emerging in East Africa which challenges the rise of the academic capitalism inspired by rabid marketisation of university programmes and challenges the idea of the current university system as an effective vehicle for social and economic development. Read more
The Sixth African Higher Education Week
The 2018 Biennial conference is unique with a focus on university-agriculture community transformation. It will provide an opportunity for participants to showcase their innovations as part of enhancing the university-farmer community partnership and engagement for meaningful innovation. The proposed overall theme of the 2018 Conference is “Aligning African Universities to accelerate attainment of Africa’s Agenda 2063”. Read more
What’s Holding Africa’s Young Scientists Back?
The continued dependence of African higher education on international science funding, along with insufficient mentoring programmes and the legacy of the brain drain, are among key constraints to the progress of young African scientists, according to a comprehensive new book. Read more
31 October 2018
Accreditation Lies at the Heart of Development
Over the past three decades, governments in developing countries, particularly in Africa, have realised the significant value of higher education for national development. Read more
A Unique Opportunity to Promote Scientific Collaboration
Although it is not a new phenomenon in developed countries, science diplomacy is crucial for Africa because of the continent’s overwhelming social, cultural and economic inequalities. Together with underdevelopment, 29 out of 55 African countries are suffering from ongoing wars, armed conflicts or skirmishes that adversely affect the quality of higher education they can offer. Read more
Countries Pool Knowledge to Fund Higher Education
With the restructuring of tertiary education in South Africa imminent after the #FeesMusfFall campaign, African countries are pooling their knowledge to better fund tertiary education. Read more
HE Lending Agencies Call for Protective Legislation
Calls have intensified for African governments to establish legislation to help financing agencies recoup outstanding student loans, in light of the increasing number of defaults being experienced in the higher education sector. Read more
Increasing HE Enrolment and Implications for Quality
Sub-Saharan Africa is under increasing pressure to increase enrolment at higher education institutions as a result of recognition of the sector as being vital to development, rapid growth in young populations in African countries and improved access and success at school levels. But what are the implications of such pressures for quality of teaching and learning? Read more
Nigerian Professor Makes Call for Examinations to be Abolished in Universities Across Africa
Education Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, the foundation vice-chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria has called for the elimination of examination in the educational system in Africa. Read more
Nine SADC Countries Geared for Qualifications Framework
Nine Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries are implementing a comprehensive qualifications framework, which will both facilitate mutual recognition of qualifications and ensure the easy movement of students and workers within the bloc’s 16 countries. Read more
Phishing for University Credentials
At least 131 universities in 16 countries, including South Africa, have been hit by cyberattacks – with several well-known universities experiencing at least one phishing attack in the past year, researchers from Kaspersky Lab have found. Read more
The Problem with University Rankings: Quality of Teaching Only Weighs 30%
Each year the release of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings generates a great deal of interest. But is it always fair, considering that the rankings heavily favour research-intensive, well-resourced universities, and say nothing about the actual quality of teaching as experienced by students or academics? Read more
The Sixth African Higher Education Week
The 2018 Biennial conference is unique with a focus on university-agriculture community transformation. It will provide an opportunity for participants to showcase their innovations as part of enhancing the university-farmer community partnership and engagement for meaningful innovation. The proposed overall theme of the 2018 Conference is “Aligning African Universities to accelerate attainment of Africa’s Agenda 2063”. Read more
30 September 2018
Academics are Cautioned to Avoid Predatory Journals
African scholars are being cautioned against falling prey to predatory journals which lure them with simple conditions for publishing but whose primary motive is profit. Read more
African Universities Need Their Own China Expertise
China’s growing largesse within the field of African higher education is, in many respects, welcome, given that if China doesn’t step in, no one else is likely to do so. Read more
Agricultural Higher Education Project Calls for Proposals (Africa/RUFORUM)
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) in collaboration with the governments of Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi and Mozambique and the World Bank have launched a call for proposals for a multimillion dollar higher education agriculture project intended to boost human resource capacity for the transformation of agriculture. Read more
China Ramps Up Support for African Higher Education
China this week pledged to offer even more support to Africa for higher education and vocational training for development. Read more
Grants to Help Address Knowledge Gaps in Agriculture (RUFORUM/World Bank)
Major universities from six African countries will next year stand a chance to develop regional hubs for agricultural learning with the help of grants worth US$20 million from the World Bank via the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM). The beneficiaries will be selected by the World Bank after a call for proposals is released in September. Read more
North African Writers on Education
Books by authors from the Maghreb show a generational shift in views on the school systems they experienced. Read more
Research-Intensive Universities in Africa? A model of How to Build Them
Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 13·5% of the global population but less than 1% of global research output. In 2008, Africa produced 27 000 published papers – the same number as the Netherlands. Read more
The Need for Action in an Era of Academic Fraud
Academic misconduct manifests in multiple forms that include plagiarism, nepotism, corrupt recruitment and admission, cheating in exams, misrepresentation and falsifying of records, biased grading, bribery, conspiracy and collusion, among others. Read more
The Problem is the Publishing System, not the Scholars
As we argued, in order to restore rationality to the publishing system, the sheer volume of articles and books must be reduced. We do not advocate that knowledge production be concentrated in the rich countries, but rather that knowledge production be concentrated mainly in research universities in all countries. Read more
Three in Four Students from London Will be from Ethnic Minorities in ‘Hyper-Diversity’ Era
It is forecasted that a growth in Londoners from African and mixed-race backgrounds, suggesting that over 10,000 more students could go to university by 2030. Read more
Walt Disney World Turns to UB on Recruitment Drive
Scores of potential students from different parts of Africa converged on the University of Botswana Conference Centre on August 24, 2018 to be quizzed for a 12-month internship at the world-renowned Walt Disney Company in the United States of America. Read more
What College Rankings Really Measure – Hint: It’s Not Quality or Value
Each year various magazines and newspapers publish college rankings in an attempt to inform parents and prospective students which colleges are supposedly the best. Read more
31 August 2018
A New Approach to Global Research Partnerships
Since the 1940s major world powers like the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Nations have made moves to spread their scientific, economic, industrial and human rights progress to countries and regions that are seen as less developed, vulnerable or deprived in one way or another. Read more
Global Network to Boost HE Capacity and PhD Numbers
A higher education network that entails American and South African universities working together will strengthen various aspects of the South African higher education system, including the expansion of the PhD graduate pipeline. Read more
Join Our New Partnership Programme for Universities
University World News has launched a partnership programme to enable higher education institutions to extend their reach among our high-quality audience of academics, researchers, university leaders, higher education administrators, experts, key stakeholders and policy-makers. Read more
New Partnership Puts University Teaching in the Spotlight
African universities need a systematic change in teaching and learning approaches to help lecturers deal with growing student numbers and inadequate facilities, and to produce graduates who can make meaningful contributions in today’s knowledge-based economies. Read more
One Person Arrested in Masters-for-Money Scandal
The higher education and scientific research ministry launched an investigation into the matter after the circulation on 16 August on social media of a voice recording during which the sale of certificates and seats in the masters programme is explained to a potential applicant. Read more
Ruforum Researcher to Receive Medal from the Vatican for Outstanding Scientific Research
Professor Noble Banadda, Chair of the Department of Agricultural and BioSystems Engineering at Makerere University in Uganda and a former RUFORUM Principal Investigator has been awarded the Pius XI Medal for the year 2018. Read more
‘Sustainable Development Needs both Arts and Sciences’
“Sustainable development requires both the sciences and the arts to work together and complement each other for execution of development agendas,” according to Professor Samuel Sefa-Dedeh, vice president of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. Read more
30 June 2018
East African Research Centres Plot for Climate-Ready Cassava
A team comprising of researchers from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya, Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute (MARI) in Tanzania, in collaboration with Basque Institute for Research and Development in Agriculture (NEIKER) in Spain are evaluating and developing cassava cultivars adaptable to the climate change-induced stresses. Read more
Global DNA Collection Kicks Off in Africa, Aiming to Decode Psychiatric Disease
Several dozen African clinics and hospitals are the latest front in the battle to decipher the genetic roots of the little-understood diseases schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Read more
Is the Future of Education Learning by Doing?
The university experience has changed. It used to be enough for students to spend four years working hard on assignments, labs and exams to earn a useful undergraduate degree that signaled competence and was redeemable for a good job. Read more
The International Aids Society (IAS) Picks South African Scientist as Head
By Henry Opondo A South African with a long history of research work on HIV and AIDS has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the International AIDS Society (IAS). Read more
What Do Online Students Want? 3 Findings from a New Survey Offer Some Clues
What do online students want? According to a new survey, they want to conduct more of their course activities on their mobile phones or tablets, and they’d like better career-planning services. Their biggest regrets? Read more
31 May 2018
African Virtual University (AVU): 2018 KEY ISSUES IN TEACHING AND LEARNING
Each year, ELI surveys the higher education community to determine key issues and opportunities in post-secondary teaching and learning. These key issues serve as the framework, or focal points, for our discussions and programming throughout the coming year. More than 900 community members voted on the following key issues for 2018. Read more
ARUA launches first centre of excellence
The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) has launched the first of 13 ‘centres of excellence’ – with this centre focused on inequality – at an event held at the University of Cape Town’s School of Economics in South Africa last week. Read more
Medical education a focus of violence in conflicts
As a result of armed and violent civil conflicts, direct and indirect incidents have targeted medical education’s components including medical schools and faculties, teaching hospitals, libraries, professors and medical students across several countries located in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Read more
Towards a common standard for postgraduate training
A first-of-its-kind regional workshop intended to build capacity in the supervision of postgraduate studies was held last month in Kigali, Rwanda, as part of a broader process aimed at developing common standards for postgraduate training in the East African region and increasing the number of masters and PhD graduates. Read more
30 April 2018
Science Academy Launches Two New Mobility Funds
Two new mobility funds have been launched by the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), aimed at encouraging African researchers to work together and with their Indian counterparts to better address health and development challenges. Read more
University Dons Dominate New List of AAS Fellows
Scholars and researchers based in African and foreign universities have dominated the latest list of 32 senior scientists named as 2017 fellows of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS). Read more
You Get 9 Exemptions from the ACCA Certification!
The Level 6 Diploma in Accounting and Financial Management, awarded by an Ofqual approved British Awarding Body, is equivalent to a Bachelor degree and leads to 9 exemptions out of the 14 ACCA examination papers. This is an ideal qualification for candidates wishing to qualify as ACCA Chartered Certified Accountants. Read more
30 December 2017
Africa’s Population Explosion Bad News for Future Food Security
Management of Africa’s spiraling population growth is crucial to addressing hunger and adequate food production for the continent, but also the potential to end food shortages globally.
Agricultural Transformation and the Role of African Universities
Africa has been described by Mckinsey, as ‘Lions on the move’ to describe the growth in the consumer sector in many of its countries and its tremendous potential. Much has been achieved, as indicated by the remarkable economic growth indexes. Read more
HE In the Context of Science Diplomacy and Merit Reviews
While there are indications that knowledge production in the form of research and publication is increasing, in proportion to other regions of the world our productivity is still low. Read more
New Policy Centre to Work with Universities on Land
An African Land Policy Centre that will work with African higher learning institutions and other stakeholders has been unveiled to strengthen and sustain Africa’s capacity to coordinate activities of member states. Read more
Non-African Partners Influence Research Agenda
When there is no non-African influence, the co-authorship priorities appear to change. Read more
Universities Gain from Growth in Philanthropy
There has been extraordinary growth in philanthropy in Africa – and universities have been major beneficiaries. Read more
30 October 2017
Addressing the Generation Gap in Agriculture for Socio-economic Development of Africa
Although there are diverse rural livelihood opportunities from agriculture, many young people unfortunately, find it unattractive and regard it as employment of the last resort. Read more
Build Skills to Transform Economy, Africa Urged
This trend does not come overnight, but through different transformations of human history. Read more
Centres of Excellence to Bridge University-Industry Gap
Universities from Southern and Eastern Africa are looking to partnerships between ‘African Centres of Excellence’ and the private sector to help promote relevant and quality education. Read more
Investing in Africa’s Young Population to Drive the Continent’s Agenda
According to the United Nations report, by 2050, there will be an increase of 1.3 billion in Africa’s population. Africa’s growth is expected to move from 1 to 4 billion people. Read more
President Akufo-Addo Urges African Universities to Work Harder
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo urged African universities to work harder to advertise themselves in the global village. Read more
Regional Body Pushes For Common Higher Education Area
Disparities in education systems are working against efforts to have a common higher education area in East Africa. Read more
UN Project Aimed At TVET Sector Enters Second Phase
Five African countries are set to benefit from the second phase of a United Nations project which seeks to strengthen national technical and vocational education and training, or TVET, systems and boost youth employment. Read more
Why Higher Education Matters
There is renewed focus on the role of higher education in catalysing the development of African economies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals within the broader visionary context of the Africa Union’s Agenda 2063, The “Africa We Want”. Read more
15 October 2017
Continental Experts Push For Quality Research Impacting Policies
Experts from various African countries have called for innovation and creativity to ensure quality research that will help make relevant policies to handle various challenges facing the continent. Read more
The Future of Higher Education Is ‘Balanced and Inclusive’
African universities and entire education systems need to embrace ‘balanced and inclusive education’ to produce forward-looking graduates capable of tackling the continent’s socio-economic challenges and of adapting to changing global trends. Read more
President Akufo-Addo Urges African Universities To Work Harder
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday urged African universities to work harder to advertise themselves in the global village. Read more
Why Engineering Schools Globally Need More Creative Women
Engineers are good at solving problems. We make bridges safer, computers faster and engines more efficient. Read more
30 September 2017
Are Graduates Prepared For The Job Market? Rethinking Africa’s University Model
Across Africa, students arrive on campuses full of hope that a university degree will improve their lives. The reality is far less certain. Read more
Network Aims To Strengthen African Scholarly Publishing
A small group of African scholarly publishers has launched a network for collaboration, experience-sharing and advocacy – and they have invited other publishers of scholarly monographs across Africa to join. Read more
STEM Vs Humanities – Calls For A More Balanced Approach
While the past decade has seen increased pressure on African universities to enrol and train more students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM subjects, a more integrated approach to development which includes the humanities and social sciences, is starting to receive more attention. Read more
Universities Face An Age Of Cyber Crime
An increasing number of cyber attacks targeting African higher education institutions and universities points to the need for more effective security and greater emphasis on university-based education and research. Read more
Universities Need Imaginative, ICT-Enhanced Presses
Scholarly book publishing is in trouble. Two contrary developments can be observed internationally. On the one hand, there are perceptions in academia of ‘robber capitalism’ on the part of the large commercial publishers as they protect their oligopoly in the face of dissolving spatial barriers and diminishing value add. Read more
15 September 2017
Africa Regional International Staff / Student Exchange
The Africa Regional International Staff / Student Exchange (ARISE) Programme invites applications from African nationals for a limited number of staff mobility scholarships. Read more
E-Learning Hub a ‘Short-Cut’ To Agricultural Knowledge
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, or RUFORUM, is working jointly with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, or FAO, to implement an e-learning hub intended to enhance the capacity of agricultural graduates to meet the changing demands of the agricultural sector. Read more
Increasing Number of Chinese Students Head to Africa
Many Chinese students have their eyes set on American and European universities for overseas study because of advanced social development, but a growing number of Chinese students are going against the trend and receiving their education in African countries, Read more
New Programme to Produce High-Level Agricultural Skills
African universities are set to benefit from a new €4.2 million (US$5 million) programme that will train postgraduate students in 11 countries in three thematic project areas: crop improvement; aquaculture and fisheries; and fragile ecosystems management. Read more
New Survey to Assess Challenges Facing Young Scholars
What are the unique challenges faced by researchers and academics early in their careers and how can they be better supported? A new study – geared towards early-career scholars in all disciplines in Africa – is set to find out. Read more
Rising Student Suicides – What Can Universities Do?
As the world marks the 15th World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, the rising number of suicides among North African students and university graduates is turning the spotlight onto the role of universities in supporting vulnerable students and raising awareness around mental health issues. Read more
Tempest in the Rankings Teapot – An African Perspective
It is that season when ranking entities announce their ‘findings’ on the comparative stature of the world’s universities. As usual, the ‘premier’ universities remain at the top and the rest are relegated to the bottom – African universities in particular. Read more
31 August 2017
AAU Spearheads Efforts to Improve Research Quality in Africa
Higher education institutions are expected by society to produce quality research which responds to societal needs and solves the specific problems in communities. Read more
An Opportunity for the University to Change Direction
Renowned African scholar Professor Mahmood Mamdani, who returned to the University of Cape Town last week after a 16-year absence to deliver the TB Davie Memorial Lecture hosted by the academic freedom committee, argued that the university had a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change direction – from a colonising outpost to a decolonisation project. Read more
New Academy Leader Champions the Power of Science
There is good science in Africa,” said Professor Nelson Torto, the newly appointed executive director of the African Academy of Sciences, or AAS. “My only concern is that it might not be necessarily focused on the current needs and that is really something that requires debate and understanding.” Read more
15 August 2017
Creating Equal Partnerships Calls for a Paradigm Shift
While it is widely known that few partnerships between African and international organisations benefit all the parties involved, how to change that imbalance remains a key challenge, but one that the recently launched Alliance for African Partnership, or AAP, is determined to tackle. Read more
Description of African Education as Low in Academics Unfair
The Minister of State in-Charge of Tertiary Education, has described as unfair the perception of the western countries that the academic standards of higher education in Africa are low. Read more
Helping International Students Feel At Home at University
International students are defined as students who study outside the borders of their home country. In 2013, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) stated that 4.5 million students globally were studying outside their home country. Read more
Stakeholders Call For Reform in Higher Agricultural Education in Africa
Stakeholders engaged in higher education in Africa gathered in Gaborone, Botswana from 25th to 30th July 2017 to map out transformations necessary to increase the contribution of higher agricultural education to Africa’s development. Read more
‘Sub-Optimal’ Partnerships Continue to Impede Progress
Partnerships are inherent to the human condition, but action is urgently needed to improve the quality of the ‘sub-optimal’ partnerships that Africa continues to develop within the continent and with the outside world, according to Célestin Monga, chief economist and vice-president for economic governance and knowledge management at the African Development Bank in Côte d’Ivoire. Read more
15 July 2017
Africans Need To Grow Technology, But On Their Own Terms
Technology, together with all the disruptions it causes, has secured a big part in narratives, norms and visions for Africa’s future. Read more
Africa’s Youngest Female Phd Holder: Musawenkosi Saurombe
Personal and familial sacrifices counted largely for the academic march that has earned her a doctorate in Industrial Psychology. Read more
Capitalizing on Africa’s Youth Dividend
For Africa, the question is no longer “if” students are taught, but “what.” Unfortunately, while access to education has improved significantly in recent decades, school curricula have changed little since the colonial era, when secondary education was an elite privilege designed to advance the careers of a select few. Read more
Institutions Urged To Play Their Role in Transforming Africa
Private and public institutions have been urged to work together in order to help the government to form the society that will be willing to transform Africa and come up with a strong continent. Read more
Technology in Agriculture Must Reach Small-Scale Farmers
As the global population inches closer to 10 billion, Africa is still food insecure and inefficient agricultural practices hold it back. Read more
30 June 2017
Academy Sends Nine Scholars to Nobel Laureate Meetings
The African Academy of Sciences, or AAS, has nominated seven African scholars under the age of 35 to participate in this year’s prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting dedicated to chemistry which takes place later this month. This will be followed in August by the sixth Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences – at which Africa will be represented by two young economists. Read more
Germany to Fund New Regional ICT Centre of Excellence
The government of Germany is set to deepen higher education cooperation with East Africa by funding the establishment of a centre of excellence in information and communication technology or ICT in the region to deliver a specialised masters programme in embedded and mobile systems. Read more
Governments Must Work With Universities on Climate Change
East African governments should work with universities to build knowledge on climate change with a view to building the capacity and resilience of local communities, who largely depend on rain-fed agriculture, to mitigate the consequences of climate change. Read more
Higher Education Harmonisation – Not Just a Dream
The higher education institution qualifications harmonisation project embarked upon by the African Union is part of attempts by the continental body to ensure that the integration of the people in Africa is not confined to the political level alone. Read more
Keeping Higher Education Tuned In
Students must become full partners in higher education development to keep it tuned to current and changing demands, according to the two students who presented their cases at the 14th Association of African Universities or AAU General Conference and Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Read more
The AAU – A Continuous Champion of Higher Education
The Association of African Universities, or AAU, was founded in Morocco in 1967 with 34 of the then existing 46 higher education institutions in Africa. Today the association has a membership of 386 African higher education institutions from 46 countries and has just celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Read more
Tuning in to Graduate Employability
Among African universities, many of which are rooted in struggling national economies, the issue of graduate employability and entrepreneurship has taken centre stage over the past few years. An Africa-led European Union programme known as ‘Tuning’ is helping to improve graduate employability by facilitating the redesign of university programmes with an eye on student learning outcomes. Read more
15 June 2017
Calls to Boost Universities’ PhD Science Training Capacity
Strengthening the capacity of East African universities to train PhD and post-doctoral academics in areas such as human nutritional sciences, agriculture, technology, engineering and mathematics is urgently needed to develop local scientific capacity and help the region to achieve its development goals. Read more
Journalism Education – A Key to Successful Democracies
Well-trained journalists are integral to functioning democracies, particularly in Africa where some states are relatively young and others are still trying to shrug off the legacies of colonialism. Read more
Private Providers Can Help Meet Demand for HE – Report
The private sector – already providing about 30% of higher education places in Africa – can do more to meet the continent’s educational challenges, and African governments should be maximising its contribution, rather than ignoring or acting against it. Read more
The Internet – A Transformative Power in Higher Education
Information and communication technologies, or ICTs, and the internet in particular, hold enormous transformative potential for all levels of education in Africa, including higher education. Read more
Universities – Learning From Society for Society
The concept of the developmental university can be described as an academic establishment dedicated to making a direct and indirect contribution to all aspects of a society’s development. Read more
15 May 2017
Internet of Things’ Centre to Boost Innovation Capacity
The Africa Centre of Excellence in the Internet of Things is out to attract PhD candidates in what is a new concept in the field of computing which has the potential to boost Africa’s development through innovation. Read more
Heads of State Declare Common Higher Education Area
Heads of East African states declared the transformation of the East African Community, or EAC, into a Common Higher Education Area, which will facilitate the recognition of academic certificates and the transfer of credits from higher education institutions across the region. Read more
Meeting Shares Engineering Research, Training Challenges
Experts met in Dakar, Senegal, recently to discuss problems linked to engineering research and the training of engineers in five African countries. Read more
Pan African University Institute Seeks New Student Cohort
The Algiers-based Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (including Climate Change), or PAUWES, seeking to create a new generation of African leaders capable of helping to address Africa’s most significant development challenges, has launched a call for new students for the next academic year. Read more
Tapping Into the Power of Technical Education
African technical universities can help to add value to primary commodities and other natural resources, support economic transformation, provide technology solutions to small and medium enterprises, and contribute to wealth creation as part of enhancing technical and vocational education and training, or TVET, on the continent. Read more
30 April 2017
Creating the Ecosystems Needed For Science to Thrive
The African Academy of Sciences, or AAS, founded in 1985, aspires to shape the continent’s strategies and policies and implement key science, technology and innovation programmes. Read more
Europe-North Africa HE Cooperation Plan Unveiled
In efforts to promote cooperation in science, technology, innovation and higher education, five countries of the Arab Maghreb Union and five European countries have approved a two-year cooperation plan aimed at stimulating economic growth, job creation and social cohesion in the Western Mediterranean region. Read more
French Research into African Education Is ‘Invisible’
In spite of interest in the field, French research into education in African and other developing countries is badly structured and poorly supported, making its findings virtually invisible, a study reveals. Read more
Minister Calls for Less State Meddling in Universities
Kenya’s education minister has called for African governments to pull away from direct management of their country’s universities, saying such meddling is unnecessary and can hinder the development of effective management. Read more
Southern Africa Short of Skilled Staff in Oil and Gas
The eastern and southern Africa region is short of skilled professionals such as engineers, geoscientists and mechanical technicians who are now in high demand in the oil, gas and allied sectors. Read more
Staying Connected In the Diaspora – A Key to Development
Managing the relationship and defining the obligations on African scholars who pursue studies on other continents is a complex issue with no easy answer, but maintaining some form of connection is widely regarded as important for Africa’s development. Read more
World Bank Forum Calls for Private Sector to Build Skills
The private sector has been called upon to support efforts to create skills and capacity in Africa to contribute to Africa’s transformation and economic growth. Read more
15 March 2017
African Languages – Lifting the Mask of Invisibility
As the first prime minister of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah was always aware of the necessity of securing the African continent as a base for all peoples of African origins. He had a vision of an Africa as a dominant industrial power in the world, but he was also aware that this had to go hand in hand with decolonised minds. Read more
African Universities Churn Out Useless Graduates
Most universities in Africa produce half-baked graduates who do not have skills required by the industry. Read more
Campbellsville University USA, pledges $30 million five-year empowerment plan in education for Africa
U.S based Campbellsville University has announced a $30 million five-year empowerment plan for education in Africa. Read more
Diversifying Income Streams in African Universities
In order to be sustainable, successful tertiary institutions around the world have found ways to diversify their income streams so as to reduce dependence on public funds which are often tied to economic and political factors. How can this work in Africa? Read more
East African Varsities Set up Legal Clinic
Regional universities within the East African Community (EAC), have partnered and established a joint law clinic to assist the poor, vulnerable and marginalised have access to justice in the region. Read more
Ex-Tanzanian President Mkapa Preaches Innovation
Former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa has appealed to higher institutions of learning in Africa to stop copying but embrace a home grown curriculum, which he says can solve Africa’s problems. Read more
Lifelong Learning Challenged by Perceptions of Inferiority
The 57 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, 27 of which are in Africa, have adopted a declaration for promoting lifelong learning in universities, but implementation is still challenged by attitudes which position lifelong learning as the ‘poor cousin’ in universities. Read more
Quality Assurance Workshops Target University Teaching
As pressure mounts on African universities to produce employable graduates, the quality of university teaching has been identified by the Association of African Universities as a key factor in improving outcomes. Read more
Science Policy Foiled by Institutional Capacity – Report
Despite the fact that two-thirds of African countries have policies and strategies in place for science, technology and innovation, the capacity of the continent’s higher education institutions and associated research centres to implement them remains very low. Read more
Towards a Development Model for Africa Based on Human Capital
In order to transform its economies in the world fueled by information and driven by knowledge, Africa needs to build on its knowledge capital. Read more
World Bank PhD Skills Programme Seeks Greater Buy-In
Only five African countries have made their pledges and committed to the World Bank’s Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology programme since its launch three years ago. Read more
15 February 2017
Bringing Out the Best in African Research
The African Research Universities Alliance, or ARUA, a unique network of 16 top African universities, was created in 2015 to grow the continent’s contribution to global research and raise the profile of its research globally. University World News spoke to its secretary-general, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, about how the alliance intends to “bring out the best in Africa”. Read more
Intensified Support for Climate Change Researchers
The African Academy of Sciences and the Association of Commonwealth Universities have selected 37 African researchers from different African universities for the third cohort of a programme supporting early career researchers in the field of climate change adaptation and mitigation. Read more
Why Joburg Is the Best Place in Africa to Study
Johannesburg hasn’t previously appeared in the top 100. Johannesburg achieved a particularly high score for affordability in the Best Student Cities index, reflecting its fairly low tuition fees and living costs. Read more
31 January 2017
Cooperation – The Magic Word for Academic Libraries
Academic libraries located in North Africa’s universities need to join forces to form consortia or alliances in order to provide access to relevant information resources and services that meet the needs of higher education. Read more
New Graduates to Assist Pastoralists with Climate Change
Pastoralists in the arid and semi-arid areas of East Africa are at the coalface of climate change impacts. A new cohort of masters graduates from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania is set to enrich the capacity of these farmers to enhance their resilience to climatic variations and address growing food security challenges. Read more
Rethinking the University for an Online Era
When the Virtual University of Uganda, or VUU, was conceived in 2010, we knew a lot of work lay ahead to prepare for the provision of education to graduate professionals who could not afford to leave work to gain a higher qualification. Read more
15 November 2016
African University Day and Innovation Week Celebration Launched
The Association of African Universities (AAU) has launched the 2016 edition of its annual African Universities Day Celebration with an objective to promote critical dialogue among stakeholders on how to improve higher education in Africa. Read more
African Union Chairperson announces a Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government to Champion Higher Education in Africa
Ten African Heads of State and Government have been constituted into a Committee to champion Higher Education, Science and Technology in Africa, as part of the efforts to strengthen the role of Science and Technology to enhance the realization of economic growth on the continent. Read more
Challenges and Solutions for Francophone Universities
While the number of students in Africa continues to rise, universities often fail to equip them with skills needed for employment – and they have two to three times less chance of finding work than those who left school after primary level. This situation formed part of the backdrop for a conference that debated problems faced by higher education in Africa. Read more
Higher education needs to be more affordable for Africa to grow’
Founder of UNICAF, has said that it is imperative that higher education becomes a more affordable option to enable the continent to create a strong, well-qualified workforce to meet the needs of its growing economy. Read more
Internationalisation: A Driver of Change
Internationalisation is a phenomenon that now influences different aspects of university activities, including leadership. Its consequences, opportunities, challenges and risks demand not only closer analysis and understanding but also new leadership responses. Read more
Second African Centres of Excellence Project Launched
A second regional centres of excellence project, co-funded by the World Bank and aimed at providing sustainable solutions through science and technology in higher education across East and Southern Africa, was officially unveiled in Kenya’s capital Nairobi. Read more
Varsities Must Resolve People’s Problems – Mbeki
African higher learning institutions should provide solutions to the development challenges and opportunities facing its people across the continent. Read more
31 October 2016
African Varsities Launch Courses to Develop Skills
The Partnership for Africa’s Next Generation of Academics (PANGeA) has launched a new training and skills development programme, PANGeA-Ed, after a four-day meeting of the partnership’s board in Kampala. Read more
African Virtual University to Open More Centres
The African Virtual University or AVU, in partnership with the African Development Bank, has launched phase two of its multinational project aimed at expanding its network of centres of open, distance and e-learning and which will see 27 facilities opened in 21 countries. Read more
Cambridge Has Waived Application Fee for Graduate Students from Most African Countries
The University’s policy on graduate admissions was reiterated at the opening of the third Cambridge-Africa Day, the Director of the Cambridge-Africa Programme confirms. Read more
Heads of African Universities Discuss Harmonisation of Higher Education
Heads of universities in Africa are meeting in Accra to discuss the harmonisation of higher education to promote academics on the continent. Read more
World Bank Launches Sh14bn Project for African Universities
The World Bank has launched a sh14 billion project aimed at delivering market-relevant post graduate education and building research capacity in the Eastern and Southern Africa region. Read more
30 September 2016
African Research Universities to Create Hub of Expertise
Across the developing world, especially in Asia, but also in Latin America, the Middle East and other regions, there is a strong correlation between economic growth and a commitment to build strong research capacity to grow new sectors and expand existing industries. Read more
Conceptual Clarity on the Makings of an African University
Academics are trying to rid universities of the procedures, values, norms, practices, thinking, beliefs and choices that mark anything non-European and not white as inferior. Read more
Ethics and the Developmental University
The classical university model has not helped developing countries as they do not produce the kind of graduates who can deal with the developmental problems they face. Instead a different type of university is needed – the developmental university. Read more
Virtual Institute for Higher Education in Africa Reopens
In January 2017, the Virtual Institute for Higher Education in Africa will reopen its digital doors with a new set of free courses to help African university lecturers face the challenges they meet in their everyday work. Read more
15 September 2016
Education in Africa Has Helped to Entrench Colonial Systems
Violence has never been a conclusive solution, but with education, communication and information, the continent can begin to deal with her problems in a more peaceful way. Read more
How to Fund African’s Higher Education
What is the future of higher education funding in Africa? This was the question asked by SciDev.net at recent online debate. Read more
Multiple Positive Signs for African Higher Education
Two of the biggest and fastest-growing economic sectors in Africa are churches and higher education. Read more
New Fellowships to Tackle Africa’s Growing Cancer Burden
The increasing cancer burden in Africa has prompted efforts in higher education to tackle a scarcity of oncologists. This month sees the launch of a fellowship initiative by the University of Nairobi and German-based pharmaceutical Merck Group, to train experts across Africa. Read more
Seven Ways to Improve Africa’s STEM Education
Tertiary education is essential. However, the continent faces a number of challenges that must be addressed if it is to truly educate and empower the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics leaders. Read more
University Entrepreneurship: Key to Surviving Uncertainty
Dwindling government funding and graduate unemployment are just two of the factors contributing to the need for African universities to embrace entrepreneurship in teaching, research, and in the way in which institutions are run, according to an African expert. Read more
31 August 2016
African Universities Are Lagging Behind As the World Moves On
To respond to this overwhelming imbalance, it has even been suggested that different criteria be used rank African universities. Read more
Countries Share Common Higher Education Challenges
Regardless of geographical distances, political agendas and student bodies, countries in Africa faced similar challenges in respect of massification, quality, funding, leadership and internationalisation of higher education. Read more
How to Fund Africa’s Higher Education?
What is the future of higher education funding in Africa? This was the question asked by SciDev.Net at a recent online debate (28 July). Read more
New Curricula for Land Governance Challenges
Guidelines for the development of curricula on land governance are being drafted to assist institutions of higher learning to develop education and training programmes that will equip graduates with the skills needed to address Africa’s land governance challenges. Read more
Push for More Women in Higher Education
African universities must work cohesively to build the continent’s human capital, specifically in mathematics, science, physics and health sciences, while also realising that more women must be included in higher education. Read more
Will the New African Passport Improve Academic Mobility?
The African Union Commission has launched an African passport, signaling open, visa-free access to all 54 of the continent’s member nations. However, if this free passage is to benefit higher education and science, it must be accompanied by harmonised qualifications, greater bureaucratic efficiency and infrastructure to support academic mobility, experts say. Read more
31 July 2016
Africa Must Bridge Capacity Gaps to Deliver AU’s Agenda 2063
There is need to invest heavily in capacity building in managing critical areas such as taxation, rural agriculture, education, leadership and science and technology if Africa is to successfully implement its development plan known as Agenda 2063. Read more
African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) appoints first SG
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, has been appointed to drive a collaborative initiative formed by research-intensive universities in Africa to strengthen research and postgraduate training on the continent. Read more
East Africa Credit Transfers to Come On Line Next Year
Ministers of education have agreed on a draft declaration for implementation of a harmonised higher education system for the East African Community or EAC. Read more
Ranking African Universities: Hypocrisy, Impunity and Complicity
When Times Higher Education ventured into Africa in 2015, just months after the high-profile African Higher Education Summit in Dakar, Senegal, it boasted that it was “moving Africa’s universities forward and building a shared global legacy”. Another ranking organisation, QS, has also started an African ranking system. Read more
15 July 2016
African Research Must Be Spearheaded By Africans-Experts
With statistics showing a less than 1% growth in research in the last decade, public health experts meeting on Child Behavioural Health in Sub-Saharan Africa in Kampala are calling on African researchers to take the lead in investigating social problems. Read more
African Universities Need Strategic Alliances
A well-coordinated partnership among African universities and research institutions is crucial for building institutional capacities for socio-economic development. Read more
Africa-Turkey Higher Education Partnerships Unveiled
Africa and Turkey have unveiled a higher education cooperation plan that includes setting up a joint university, networking among Turkish and African universities and enhancing student and academic mobility. Read more
Global Academic Collaboration in Africa: A New Form of Colonisation?
Higher education in Africa is as old as the pyramids in Egypt, but the continent’s ancient institutions have long disappeared. Read more
How African Institutions Can Improve Globally
The time has come for “African universities to create global academy of commons – a global community of scholars, who although responsive to the local and national needs of our society. Read more
Intercontinental Higher Education Consortium Launched
An international consortium of elite higher education institutions has been launched in Fes, Morocco, dedicated to “promoting education, culture, research, entrepreneurship and innovation on an intercontinental scale”. Read more
Invest In Universities – Mutharika Tells Africa
President Peter Mutharika of Malawi has told African countries to invest in universities if they are to develop economically, he made the remarks in Ethiopia after receiving an honorary degree from Addis Ababa University. Read more
Investing In the Future of African Women Farmers
When I thought about farming, I realised that there was a need for labour-saving technologies and improved policies around access to land and resources to assist women in particular to increase their yields. Read more
USC Training Launches a New Era of Air Pollution Health Research in Eastern Africa
Lead investigators from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda collaborate with USC and Addis Ababa University to establish a Global Environmental and Occupational Health Hub. Read more
30 June 2016
24 Centres of Excellence for East and Southern Africa
The World Bank Group’s board of executive directors has approved a US$140 million credit for eight Eastern and Southern African countries to set up 24 centres of excellence in universities to strengthen postgraduate training and research in priority sectors. Read more
Growing a Generation of Mathematicians in Africa
Mathematics is “vital” for achieving a thriving science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, workforce in Africa, according to experts. Read more
Pilot Study Fills Data Gaps for Regional STEM Project
Benchmarking as a tool for improving quality in African universities was the focus of the first regional benchmarking and capacity building workshop. Read more
Racism Against Africans Is a Reality to be Countered
The brutal murder of a young Congolese man, has blown the lid off a simmering pot of resentment against the treatment of African migrants in India, especially the large student community. Read more
Southern Africa Stabilising the Higher Education Sector
Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students. Read more
Too Few PhDs in Africa Limit Contribution to Policy Making On Climate Change
Climate change debates in the developing world’s universities are different. Only a handful of African universities have endowment funds, and even those are extremely modest by international standards. Read more
Top Universities in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria Are Coming Up As Preferred Abroad Study Options
In the run up to the college education after finishing the primary schooling, students seek the higher degree courses. Read more
Unisa and NEPAD Collaborate To Skill Nurses and Midwives of Africa
Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor officially handed over a research evaluation report of the first phase of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Project on Nursing and Midwifery Education in Africa. Read more
15 June 2016
Africa ‘Needs Skills Revolution’
Gauteng should open a mining academy to help Africans take charge of their own resources. Read more
African Union Issues US$9 Million Research Grant Call
The second phase of the African Union Research Grants has been launched with a call for proposals for research into food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture. US$9 million will be allocated for research this year, and more next year under the US$20 million initiative supported by the European Union. Read more
French Forge University Governance, Research Partnerships
The global French-speaking universities’ association, Agence universitaire de la Francophonie or AUF, has forged new partnerships that will boost higher education in Africa. Read more
Iconic University Celebrates 100 Years Amid Challenges
Former South African president Nelson Mandela wrote in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom that for young black South Africans like himself, the University of Fort Hare was “Oxford and Cambridge, Harvard and Yale, all rolled into one”. Read more
Leaders Call for Improved University Governance, Quality
University leaders, higher education policy-makers and experts from the Middle East and North Africa, or MENA, have called for stronger measures to improve university governance and teaching quality, in order to increase the competitiveness and employability of graduates. Read more
Where is the ‘African’ in African Studies?
We need to put the ‘African’ in African Studies, not as a token gesture, but as an affirmation that Africans have always produced knowledge about their continent. Read more
Top Business Schools in Africa
With Africa increasingly attracting investors and progressively becoming a business hub, it’s clear that the continent is ripe with opportunities. No one understands this better than the countless African entrepreneurs starting small businesses everyday, playing their role in transforming the economic narrative of the continent. Read more
World Bank Shifts Thinking on African University Funding
A “paradigm shift” is needed in African university funding, says World Bank education specialist Olatunde Adekola. In this film, he argues that funding should be linked to results. Read more
15 May 2016
Africa Science Leadership Programme: Second Round of Success
As the challenges we face in the world, and especially in Africa, become more complex, a different style of science leadership is required. Read more
Africa’s Varsities Must Compete Globally
No fewer than 800 leaders from around the world attended the opening of Going Global 2016, taking place in Africa and said Africa must become a producer of globally respected knowledge. Read more
African Universities Urged to Utilize Online Interactions
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana has challenged African Universities to explore innovative ways of engaging students through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in order to stay competitive and relevant in the light of globalization. Read more
Africa Needs ‘Innovation Universities’ to Develop
Africa must create ‘innovation universities’ if it is to achieve economic transformation, sustainable development and inclusive growth. Read more
CAMES Ministers Agree To Harmonise University Curricula
Ministers from CAMES, the Conseil africain et malgache pour l’enseignement supérieur – African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education – which represents 19 Francophone African states, have agreed on measures to develop higher education. Read more
Campus Helps Community to Bridge the Digital Divide
With all the excitement about the role of technology in contributing to social change and improved development outcomes across Africa, it is easy to forget that only 7% of the continent´s inhabitants are online. Read more
Consensus, Contradictions in African Higher Education
The fundamental issue of whether Africa’s future lies in manufacturing beneficiation or the knowledge economy will be key to deciding what kind of higher education system must be built. Read more
Ghana’s Vice-President Calls for Move from Liberal Arts
Universities across Africa must move away from liberal arts courses in order to make higher education relevant and ensure the continent is not left behind in today’s technological world. Read more
Grooming Leaders to Change a Continent
We aim to develop the future Nelson Mandela, the next Wangari Maathai, and the African Bill Gates. Read more
French Connections Boost HE for Leaders and Employment
The continental African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development, or CAFRAD, and France’s elite HEC business school have signed an agreement to train leaders and high-level officials. Read more
How Political Interference Keeps Hurting Universities
Political interference in Africa’s universities is not new. Universities’ governance was seen as ‘captured’ for narrow political rather than academic ends during the 1980s and 1990s. Read more
Pan-Africans Versus Afropolitans – An Identity Crisis?
Is a crisis of identity emerging among African academics in the diaspora as to whether they are an offshoot of Pan-Africanism or a breed of emigrant elites, the Afropolitans? Read more
Rising Africa Must Harness Knowledge, Science for Growth
Africa must respond to the education, knowledge and communications revolutions and mobilise knowledge and science not just for sustainable development but as major drivers of growth. Read more
Universities Seek United Front in Open Access Debate
Both a unified front and a paradigm shift around access to knowledge were needed in order to deal with rising journal costs and exclusionary copyright provisions imposed by the mainstream academic publishing industry, a Leadership Dialogue on open access and African research publishing heard. Read more
30 April 2016
Challenges to Doctoral Education in Africa
Research is one of the three major pillars of higher education. For a university to progress and to address the needs and challenges of the knowledge industry, academics must constantly be engaged in research. Read more
Higher Education – Ethics in Action the Value of Values across Sectors
The Global Ethics Forum (GEF) is a global, solution-focused and multi-stakeholder annual event, organised by Globethics.net. The aim in 2016 is to promote values-driven leadership in the higher education sector, through inspiration, discussion and action during the Forum as well as through the creation of working groups on identified projects. Read more
How an Africa-Wide Science Funding Gap Can Be Closed
The idea that Africa’s development depends critically on science, technology and innovation is embodied in the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Read more
PhD Fellowships for Sub-Saharan Africa Women Scientists
The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World, or OWSD, is offering postgraduate training fellowships for women scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa and least developed countries, to pursue postgraduate research in the natural sciences. Read more
Researchers Call for More Open Access to Knowledge
Researchers from across the continent and beyond have called for governments and universities to introduce policies to guarantee open access to scientific knowledge in Africa. Read more
Universities Need New Funding Models and African Donors
Faced with donor fatigue and declining public funding, universities across Sub-Saharan Africa should search for new models of financing specific initiatives such as hubs for research and innovation. Read more
What Chinese Investment Means for African Higher Education
There is no doubt that China means business in sub-Saharan Africa. Read more
15 April 2016
African Govts Must Promote Women In Engineering
African governments need to come up with new strategies and programmes to improve and broaden the participation of women in engineering to help the continent attain its post-2015 development agenda. Read more
African Higher Education Development – Competing Visions
Given the knowledge economy’s thirst for skills, the societal benefits and global policy frameworks that support higher education funding, were left wondering why higher education received so little support. Read more
Africa Must Learn Higher Education Lessons From India
Africa’s tertiary education and research sector is not ready for global competitiveness and innovation as only 4% of new innovations on the continent are based on research and development. Read more
Ambitious Plans for New African Leadership University
The African Leadership University, launched in Mauritius last month with the aim of training Africa’s future leaders, has huge ambitions. Read more
Are African Universities Ready for Diaspora Academics?
Members of the academic diaspora are dependable ambassadors for universities in Africa in the face of the unstoppable onslaughts of economic globalisation and higher education internationalisation. Read more
Call for Africa to Focus on Sciences
African think tanks say they want to ensure that all countries on the continent focus on sciences and engineering studies by 2063 in order to steer industrial development. Read more
Kenya and South Africa in Joint Research Call
The governments of Kenya and South Africa have invited applications for joint research from scholars in the two countries. Read more
Online Medium Takes Tertiary Education to Africa
While only half of Africa’s children attend primary school, a paltry 10 of those who go to school enter into university programs. Read more
1 April 2016
AAU Hosts Social Media Seminar in Accra
The Secretary General said the survey revealed that ‘Social Media Usage for Impact’ by Higher Educational Institutions in most African countries was still at its infancy. Read more
Africa’s Slow Journey to Becoming A Global Science Hub
Before Africa can achieve its full potential it must overcome the barriers holding it back, particularly dismal investment in research and development and limited access to higher education. Read more
Africa Needs Confident Scientists in Global Partnerships
University of Cambridge Vice-chancellor says Africa needs scientists who are confident and able to harness the power of global partnerships and forge closer collaboration with policy-makers and the private sector. Read more
African Scientists Say More Needed to Keep Brightest at Home
Researchers at the cutting edge of international vaccine and public health research told AFP at the first gathering of the ambitious “Next Einstein Forum” for Africa that their academic success stories remained exceptional — though the landscape is changing. Read more
Innovation in the Absence of Private Partners
African universities are facing a whole new set of challenges while they are still getting to grips with the old ones. Read more
Presidents Pledge More Science Money, Less Gender Bias
African heads of state attending the Next Einstein Forum’s Global Gathering 2016 in Senegal pledged to improve science funding and promote the enrolment and retention of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, fields. Read more
15 March 2016
Centres of Excellence in Electricity Network Launched
The African Development Bank has provided a €9.7 million (US$10.8 million) grant for the new African Network of Centres of Excellence in Electricity, or ANCEE. Centres have been selected in four African countries and will train some 9,700 power professionals. Read more
China to Expand Skills Programme to Africa
Keen to strengthen relation with Africa, China will over the next three years train 200,000 African professionals in skill-based fields. Read more
Huge Gap Between Academics’ Real and Scholarly Selves
African scholarship on Africa is operating at only a fraction of its true potential. It is hampered by the preferences, policies and politics of the Western academy. Read more
Innovators Set Grand Challenges Africa Research Agenda
African higher education must increase its interaction with the informal sector if it is to drive the continent’s innovation agenda and respond to development challenges. Read more
New Research and Exchange Initiatives to Boost Science
A flurry of initiatives ended last week’s Next Einstein Forum Global Gathering 2016 in Senegal. Read more
29 February 2016
Continental University Hub Seeks Academics Across Africa
The Pan African University’s Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation or PAUSTI, based in Kenya, is seeking to boost its faculty by recruiting up to 32 short-term lecturers from across the continent to teach for periods ranging from four to 16 weeks. Read more
Dons Look to Rescue Higher Education
African university heads have recommended that institutions of higher learning adopt modern corporate business models to survive. Read more
15 February 2016
Four African countries rated in innovation studies
A new study has ranked South Africa and Kenya at 30 and 51 out of 56 countries for worldwide innovation influence. Read more
Green’ University Networks Being Developed in Africa
Africa has been late to join the ‘green’ universities movement – only five institutions on the continent are among more than 400 participating in a global ranking of universities that practice environmentally friendly policies to help combat climate change. Read more
Key Role for Universities in African Education Strategy
There is a strong call for strengthening universities and research in the new Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2016-2025 Read more
Pan African University Gender Desks to Tackle Inequity
The Pan African University, or PAU, is to establish gender desks with permanent staff in all of its four operational institutes to address an acute problem of gender disparity in enrolments. Read more
Second Group of 29 Young Climate Researchers Selected
Twenty-nine early career scientists from 24 African universities and research institutes have been awarded fellowships to study the impacts of climate change on the continent. Read more
Why Africa Can’t Afford To Have an Outbreak Of The Zika Virus
If the latest mosquito-borne Zika virus breaks out in Africa the continent would be less prepared than any other to deal with the outbreak. Read more
January 2016
Eight Countries to Get 23 Centres of Research Excellence
Twenty-three proposals from eight countries have been conditionally selected for the World Bank’s Eastern and Southern Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence Project – ACE II. Read more
Flagship Universities – Enrolment, Typology, Graduates
Africa has the lowest higher education enrolment rates in the world. But in the last decade, virtually all higher education systems on the continent have recorded massive growth. Read more
Global Gathering of Top Minds to Boost Science in Africa
A first global gathering of top scientists to be held on African soil, aimed at advancing African science and innovation and showcasing scientific progress on the continent, is being held by the Next Einstein Forum in the Senegalese capital Dakar in March. Read more
Governance Models and Leadership Quality In Universities
Governance models in African higher education have evolved over the decades, but their impact on university leadership appears not to have been highly significant. Read more
IAU Members Received Africa Faculty Support Grants from the Talloires Network
Professors from IAU Member Institutions won University Education for Transformative Leadership in Africa Faculty Support Grants from the Talloires Network. Read more
New African Higher Education Harmonisation Initiative
Consortium members of a new three-year Harmonisation of African Higher Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation, or HAQAA, initiative met in Brussels this month and outlined activities for the first year of the European Union-backed operation. Read more
December 2015
African Flagship Universities: Enrollment Typology and Graduate Projections
Africa has the lowest higher education enrolment rates in the world. But in the last decade, virtually all African higher education systems have recorded massive growth. Read more
Africa To Thrive, Its Scholars And Scientists Must Also Thrive
After a decade of progress, Africa is experiencing a narrative of optimism. But, maintaining that progress largely depends on the success of the continent’s institutions of higher learning. Read more
China-Africa – Reviewing Higher Education’s Gains
An increasing focus on higher education and skills training was highlighted at the second summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in South Africa this month. Read more
China Ups Africa Support with Training, Scholarships
Chinese President announced 10 major plans to boost cooperation with Africa in the next three years, including 40,000 training opportunities in China and 30,000 government scholarships. Read more
Doctoral Education in South Africa
In Africa and around the world, the importance of the doctorate has risen in inverse proportion to the share of college graduates pursuing PhDs. Read more
Pan-African Standard to Manage Research Funds Planned
A new body started this year with the ambition to raise the quality and quantity of Africa’s research output, the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa or AESA, is launching a new initiative to develop continental standards and transparency in managing donor research funds in universities, research institutions and governments. Read more
STEM Research in Sub-Sahara Declining
Research in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, fields in Sub-Saharan Africa has declined in the last 10 years in quantity and citation impact – but there has been steady progress in other sciences, especially health. Read more
November 2015
African Union Merges Science and Education Bodies The Africa Union has merged its science and education bodies in a move designed to improve sectoral relationships, effectiveness and efficiency. Read more
Developmental Universities – The Debate Continues A developmental university may be conceptualised as one with an expanded horizon that fosters collaboration with multiple external institutions, agencies and stakeholders in its role as a generator and disseminator of knowledge for national development purposes. Read more
East African Science and Technology Commission Launched The East African Science and Technology Commission, or EASTECO, has been officially launched in the Rwandan capital Kigali with the aim of promoting and coordinating the development of science and technology in the region. Read more
New Action Plan Recommends Boosting HE Cooperation As part of efforts to advance legal migration and mobility, an action plan adopted at the recent European Union-Africa Valletta Summit on Migration recommends boosting higher education cooperation, including promoting the mobility of students and researchers. Read more
Second Call for Centre of Excellence in Oil and Gas The World Bank and Inter-University Council for East Africa have jointly issued a repeat, special call for proposals to establish an Africa Centre of Excellence in the field of oil and gas for the Eastern and Southern Africa regions. Read more
Under-Funded and ‘Ethnic’ Expansion Threatens HE Quality Attempts to revitalise African higher education are being eroded because of under-funding, competing forces that try to influence who goes to university and what they should be taught, and the rise of ethnically-based institutions, according to experts. Read more
Village Universities’ Expand Access, But Lower Quality The late Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere’s view of the university as a place where people’s minds are trained for independent thinking and problem solving at the highest level remained unchallenged for half a century in East Africa. Read more
Young Africa Works Summit – Learning From Students The MasterCard Foundation hosted its inaugural Young Africa Works Summit 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa. Read more
October 2015
A Continental Quest for Scientific Independence Africa’s quest for scientific independence is likely to be a long journey on a bumpy road full of potholes, leading to who knows where, taking into account that the continent has no culture of philanthropy and government expenditure on research and development is extremely low. Read more
EAC Seeks Common Borders For Education The East African Community (EAC) is looking into the adoption of a common education protocol to ease movement of learners and teachers within the region. Read more
EAC Develops Policy Framework on Higher Education The regional quality assurance system and qualifications frame work once fully developed, together with their operational instruments, will enable mutual recognition of qualifications among EAC partner states,” Read more
Engineering Graduates Can Help Africa to Meet Its SDGs Engineers will play a vital role in meeting the challenges laid out by the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. Read more
Four East Africa Medical Centres of Excellence Underway The African Development Bank has released US$98 million for the establishment of four East Africa centres of excellence in biomedical sciences, to be established at universities in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. A fifth centre will be created later in Burundi. Read more
Higher Education Quality, Harmonisation Drives Entwined As the Association of African Universities lamented lack of quality assurance at many of the more than 1,000 universities spread across the continent, the Economic Community of West African States – the powerful regional political grouping known as ECOWAS – was preparing to develop regional criteria for harmonising pre-university qualifications. Read more
High-Level Meeting Proposes Ways to Boost Universities Recommendations for strengthening African universities were agreed at a high-level event last weekend, held alongside the United Nations General Assembly meeting to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals. Read more
RUFORUM’s New Crowd-Funding Campaign For Postgraduates The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, RUFORUM, has launched an ambitious crowd-funding campaign to raise money to train more postgraduate students over the next five years. Read more
Social Sciences Neglect Leads to Narrow Development View The marginalisation of social sciences and humanities in African universities has radically stifled scholarship, according to CODESRIA. Read more
University Partnerships Could Help Achieve the SDGs The African Network for Internationalization of Education, or ANIE, held its 6th annual conference in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania from 7-9 October 2015. Read more
September 2015
A Profile of Sub-Saharan African Students in America The United States is by far the most popular destination country for potential students from Sub-Saharan Africa, with high quality education being the main draw card, according to a recent study. Read more
African Science Research Fund Launched by AESA A new fund has been launched for African science, amid concerns that research is too Western-focused. Read more
Alliance for Accelerating Science Excellence Launched The African Academy of Sciences and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development have launched the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa, or AESA, with the ambition to raise the quality and quantity of the continent’s research output. Read more
CODESRIA Initiatives to Boost Social Sciences Research The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa – CODESRIA – has stepped up initiatives to boost academic research, with two mega grant facilities meant to mobilise support for the continent’s universities. Read more
Fellows Meet in Addis Ababa for Workshop, Stopping at the African Union Along the Way The Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa Program held its seventh workshop from July 13-17, 2015. The workshop took place in partnership with the Institute for Peace and Security Studies of Addis Ababa University. Read more
Higher Education ‘Vital’ to Meet UN Development Goals Higher education institutions have a key role to play in helping Africa to meet new United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Read more
Initiatives Needed to Tackle Severe High-Skills Shortage Although Sub-Saharan African countries have allocated large shares of government spending to education, the region’s university enrolment rates are among the lowest in the world and a severe mismatch still exists between the skills young Africans have and those employers need. Read more
Initiative to Strengthen 16 African Science Councils A US$15 million initiative to strengthen science granting councils in Africa held its inaugural forum in the Kenyan capital Nairobi this month. Read more
Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa Program Selects Thirty-Eight New Fellows The Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa program has selected thirty-eight new fellows. Fellows were chosen for the quality and originality of their work in the fields of peace, security, and development as well as their potential to make significant contributions to the social sciences. Read more
August 2015
Dilemma as Sudanese Varsity Students Join ISIS The reports last month of Sudanese medical students joining the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) made headlines in the region and globally. Read more
First Regional Masters in Research and Public Policy A new collaborative masters degree to develop Africa’s next generation of public policy leaders has been initiated by the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research, or PASGR, in cooperation with 12 universities in seven African countries. Read more
Kenyan Universities Top List of Hackers in Africa Kenyatta University and JKUAT are among Kenyan universities topping a list of hackers in Africa. Read more
Policy Measures Key to Tackling Graduate Unemployment Weak links between higher education and the labour market lead to a high level of youth unemployment, which represents a waste of human resources and increases the social exclusion that makes societies more vulnerable to civil disorder and political upheaval. Read more
Second Group Among 1,000 African Students off to Japan Hundreds of African students are leaving for Japan this year, the second group to join the African Business Education Initiative for Youth, a five-year plan to provide 1,000 young Africans with opportunities to study for masters degrees at top universities and do internships at leading Japanese companies. Read more
ISESCO-UNESCO Un camp d’excellence scientifique pour jeunes filles à l’Universite International de Rabat. Lire plus
July 2015
Boosting Alternative Energy Training in Universities The Africa-European Union Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme, or RECP, is shaping renewable energy market development with support for training the next generation of energy professionals and promoting renewable energy research in Africa. Read more
Carnegie Grant to Strengthen RUFORUM Doctoral Training The Uganda-based Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), has received a boost for its doctoral training programme with a grant of US$1.5 million from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Read more
Linking Universities and Marginalised Communities Through innovation and inclusive development, universities could be instrumental in fighting poverty and expanding opportunities for marginalised African communities, ongoing research has shown. Read more
Time for an African Charter on Academic Freedom The realisation of this goal marked a watershed moment in the evolution, consolidation and standardisation of the principles promoting academic freedom in the world. Read more
University Student and Graduate Extremism on the Rise Extremism among higher education students and graduates across North Africa is on the rise. Read more
SADC Education Systems in the Spotlight Southern African Development Community education systems vary considerably on many levels, with some similarities in the manner in which education ministries plan, organise, control, and direct both human and financial resources in their respective countries. Read more
Why It Makes Sense to Harmonise SADC’s Education System The 1997 summit in Blantyre, Malawi, adopted a protocol on education and training that served as a framework for cooperation in the improvement of education within SADC. Read more
June 2015
Regional Fund Created for PASET Study, Innovation grants A regional fund for study and innovation grants for Africa has been established by three African governments and a collective of business leaders under the World Bank’s Partnership for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, or PASET. Read more
Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund Launched with $5 million Commitment As part of the World Bank ‘Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) programme, a ‘Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund’ has been launched by the President of the Republic of Senegal, HE Macky Sall, and representatives of the heads of states of Ethiopia and Rwanda. Read more
Reversing Africa’s Medical Brain Drain There is understandable consternation over Uganda’s plan to send almost 300 health workers to Trinidad and Tobago. The plan reportedly includes four of Uganda’s 11 registered psychiatrists, 20 of its 28 radiologists, and 15 of its 92 paediatricians. Read more
Minister Points to Higher Education’s Global Challenges The challenges facing higher education in particular and humankind in general are complex and global in nature. They cannot be adequately addressed by one country or university in isolation. Hence, the need for collaboration and co-operation, especially in the areas of research and curriculum development. Read more
Talent War Intensifies Across Africa A tight competition for professional and technical skills is emerging in Africa with most companies experiencing volatile labour mobility of highly skilled persons. Read more
Nursing is Part of the Solution to Africa’s Healthcare Challenges WHO introduced task shifting and task sharing in an effort to empower nurses to perform functions and roles that would otherwise be performed by other medical workers. Read more
MAY 2015
Higher Education Holds Keys to Prosperity African countries have made considerable progress in the face of global economic downturn. But future growth will depend on development of quality tertiary education, which also holds the continent’s hope for reducing population explosion. Read more
Key Role for Science Academies in Tackling Poverty Africa’s around 20 science academies have a crucial and collaborative role to play in tackling problems and driving development, according to Academy of Science of South Africa President Daya Reddy. But efforts to grow science are constrained by brain drain – at least one third of African researchers are plying their trade outside the continent. Read more
Brain Drain Too Costly for Africa Africa must address the problem of brain drain as it continues to lose skilled professionals every year which costs the continent billions of dollars in terms of lost productivity and economic activity. Read more
Academics Urged to Engage in Academic Freedom Survey The first part of major research into “Building Academic Freedom and Democracy in Africa” has revealed that 14 African countries have explicit reference to academic freedom in their constitutions. Read more
More Universities Called to Join Tuning Africa The Association of African Universities, the African Union Commission and the European Union have issued a call to African universities to join the second phase of their Harmonisation and Tuning initiative. Read more
April 2015
African Leaders Urged To Sustain Economic Growth by Training Youths International experts have beckoned on African Leaders to heed the clarion call to “leapfrog the shackles of convention” as they approach a major education conference next month, in order to ensure that African economic growth is sustained by adequately trained young people. Read more
Training in Quality Assurance Systems for Universities The German Academic Exchange Service, or DAAD, held a one-week training programme for 35 quality assurance directors drawn from English speaking higher education institutions in West Africa. The training in Ghana’s capital Accra was part of a project to help design quality assurance systems for tertiary institutions across the region. Read more
Merits in a Regional Approach to Doctoral Training in Africa African nations continue to grapple with the acute shortage of PhDs. For example, South Africa produces 1,300 PhDs every year and yet the nation needs a minimum of 6,000. [Last year, it produced 2051–Editor] Read more
Teaching African Literature in the US is a Waste of Time Critics have realised that writing on serious topics about Africa won’t take you anywhere in America. This means that you won’t hear anybody talking about Africa’s literary monuments. Read more
Terror Stalks Africa with Kenyan University Students the Latest Victims An attack by Islamist militants on a university in Kenya left 148 people dead, mostly students. The horrific assault in which Muslim students were reportedly spared and Christian students murdered made headlines across the world and highlighted the vulnerability of educational institutions. Read more
Top Business Schools Forge Entrepreneurship Partnership Six of Africa’s top business schools have forged a new association through which they will share resources and expertise, promote academic and student exchanges and conduct research aimed at boosting entrepreneurship, job creation and economic development on the continent. Read more
Bloc Creates Virtual Regional Integration University The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa – COMESA – is set to establish within six months a virtual university aimed at supporting regional integration. Read more
The New Frontier for International Business Schools The risk of not being part of Africa’s fast-growing business opportunities is pushing business schools in Western Europe and the United States to start expanding onto a continent that is emerging as a force in the global economic enterprise. Read more
Call for All African Universities to Tighten Security The Association of African Universities, or AAU, has “strongly urged” higher education institutions across the continent to strengthen security on campuses to ensure the safety of students and staff and the protection of property. The call came in the wake of numerous atrocities committed by religious fundamentalists against educational institutions. Read more
March 2015
African Higher Education Summit – Revitalizing Higher Education for Africa’s Future For most of us here in Africa what we know has always been defined by what others know or rather what they think they know about us. Externally generated forms of knowledge and paradigms tend to shape what is possible for us as people and as nations. Read more
Aga Khan Varsity Plans More Educational Centres in EAC The Aga Khan University (AKU) will this year open a graduate school of media and communication in Nairobi as part of a major expansion in East Africa. Read more
Body to Tackle Graduate Skills A platform to bring together business community employers and the academic fraternity in addressing challenges and refine the relevance and quality of graduates produced by universities in the East African region has been established. Read more
Building Universities Cannot Wait for Good Governance Investing in Africa’s higher education sector will build momentum for a virtuous cycle of better governance. Read more
Continental Platform to Accelerate Science Excellence The Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa, or AESA, has started operations and there are plans to run funding grants before the end of the year. Read more
Dual Mission of Dlamini-Zuma and Sall: Lobbying for Higher Education on Parallel Agendas (English and French] The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and Senegalese President, Macky Sall, have pledged to undertake a role of critical importance: lobbying their constituencies for revitalizing higher education at the upcoming head of states meeting. Read more
East Africa Credit Transfer Scheme Enters New Phase The East African Credit Accumulation and Transfer project undertaken by higher education authorities in the region’s five countries has entered a fifth phase, with experts agreeing on minimum standards for psychology, counselling, community development, developmental studies and social work programmes. Read more
Higher Education News from the Region- Politics of Data The participants of the QS Maple conference during discussions in various sessions highlighted the need of sharing data among the universities in the MENA region for purpose of regional benchmarking. Read more
Newswire Partnership to Assist Students and Universities. The African Press Organisation, or APO – the continent’s only press release newswire – has joined forces with international information provider NewsBank to furnish Africa-related news releases to students, colleges and universities, schools, libraries, professionals and researchers around the world. Read more
So You Think Your African University Fees Are Expensive? Try America University student protests in Africa are rife with demands for lower fees to cheaper meals. Lee Mwiti looks at the reality of varsity fees globally. Read more
Symposium-Border Regions in Southern Africa The symposium aims to bring together scientists who share a common interest in the study of border regions in southern Africa, issues like cross-border economies, border issues, shaping of borders amongst others can be mentioned as topics of interest. The aim is to create an interdisciplinary forum where researchers from the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences can discuss a broad range of topics. Read more
Times Higher Education Announces Inaugural MENA Universities Summit The first-ever THE MENA Universities Summit is a wonderful and timely opportunity to bring global thought leaders together, to share good practice and forge new partnerships, and to help ensure that the great vision is fully realized. Read more
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