ETHIOPIA - Swimming against the tide of an ethnicised HE system [University World News, July 2022]

Title:

Swimming against the tide of an ethnicised HE system 

 

Authors:

Wondwosen Tamrat 

Associate professor and founder-president of St Mary’s University, Ethiopia

& 

Damtew Teferra

Professor of higher education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 

 

Published:

University World News, 28 July 2022

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20220727070501186

 

From the article:

Ethiopia is a country with more than 80 ethnic groups. The formation of its ethnically based federation system post-1991 has led to the restructuring of the country into 10 regional state and two city administrations.  

 

Despite the benefits protagonists ascribed to such a system, Ethiopia has been facing unprecedented challenges in its socio-political sphere as a result of its ethnocentric federalism.  

 

Not surprisingly, these challenges come to the fore in every sector, including in its 70-year-old higher education system and the 50 public universities currently operating across the country.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA - Slow, pricey internet hinders migration to online learning [University World News, July 2021]

Title:

Slow, pricey internet hinders migration to online learning 

 

Author:

Andreia Nogueira  

 

Published:

University World News, 22 July 2021

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20210720142755488

 

From the article:

The higher education system in Equatorial Guinea has been trying to move studies online because of COVID-19, but students still struggle to get computers and affordable and fast internet.  

 

It is hard to ignore the socio-economic backdrop of Equatorial Guinea, Africa’s only independent Spanish-speaking country, when assessing its higher education.

 

SYRIA - Syrian Universities Struggle to Survive After a Decade of War [Al-Fanar Media, April 2021]

Title:

Syrian Universities Struggle to Survive After a Decade of War 

 

Author:

Samar Kadi

 

Published:

Al-Fanar Media, 20 April 2021 

https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2021/04/syrian-universities-struggle-to-survive-after-a-decade-of-war/

From the article:

BEIRUT—Ten years into a civil war that has forced more than half of Syria’s population to flee their homes, the country’s higher education system is broken and Syrian universities are struggling to survive, according to Syrian academics and other education experts.  

 

Speaking at a recent online workshop titled “Higher Education in Syria After a Decade of War,” organized by the European Union-funded EDU-Syria program and the German Academic Exchange Service, or DAAD, the panel members said Syrian universities faced a myriad of challenges. These include poor infrastructure, outdated curricula, unqualified teaching staff, absence of research resources and academic freedom, insecurity and lack of funds and international exchange. (See a related article, “Syrian Higher Education Faces a Long Recovery.”)

Moving from survival to development: Experiences in Kosovo from developing academic identity in a transitional context [European Journal of Education, 21 October 2020]

Title:

Moving from survival to development: Experiences in Kosovo from developing academic identity in a transitional context

 

Authors:

Blerim Saqipi & Xhavit Rexhaj

 

Published:

European Journal of Education, 21 October 2020

https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12425

 

Abstract:

The purpose of the study on which this article reports was to elaborate on career trajectories of academics in Kosovo. Particular attention is given to efforts to follow international benchmarks such as the Bologna Process at key stages of Kosovo's historical and political development in the last three decades. In this qualitative study, semi‐structured interviews were carried out with eleven academics with and without management experience as well as administrators. Findings revealed that Kosovo's higher education system is characterised by a weak organisational culture and an orientation towards externally driven change. Also, we found that academics perceived their role narrowly. The findings suggest that while higher education in Kosovo has moved towards adopting international benchmarks, the identity of the academics has not evolved in parallel to support the transition. A managerialist approach catalysed by the Bologna Process has helped a transition process in higher education in Kosovo. Finally, we propose that for a context in transition, local meaning‐making processes for policy transfer are needed. Moving forward, institutional development should be led by academic managers and should serve the professionalisation of academics in Kosovo.

Higher Education Institute (HEPI), 24 June 2020 - An earthquake is coming for universities

Title:
An earthquake is coming for universities

Author:
Andrew George

Published:
Higher Education Institute (HEPI), 24 June 2020
https://www.hepi.ac.uk/2020/06/24/an-earthquake-is-coming-for-universities/

From the blog post:
Over the last decades the tectonic plates of university mission and purpose, finance and student needs have been bumping and grinding away, and the strains have built up, though remaining largely invisible. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has been like a meteorite striking right at the fault lines. While the sector has responded to the immediate impact by ‘going online’, we need to understand how the plates will move and rearrange themselves. We need to actively shape this change to ensure the future of British higher education.

Short Article: 15 major changes planned for schools and universities in South Africa – including new subjects

Title:
15 major changes planned for schools and universities in South Africa – including new subjects

Published:
Business Tech, 9 February 2020

From the article:
"Government has published its Draft National Youth policy for 2020 – 2030, outlining its plans to get more young South Africans into education and employment opportunities over the next 10 years.  

The document states that youth unemployment has reached ‘crisis proportions’ in South Africa and remains one of the major challenges facing the country today."

To read this article:
https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/372052/15-major-changes-planned-for-schools-and-universities-in-south-africa-including-new-subjects/

More information:

South Africa - National Youth Policy 2015-2020

South Africa - Draft National Youth Policy 2020-2030: a decade to accelerate a positive youth development impact