universities - The African Mirror

Apr

11

2024

Africa’s PhDs: study shows how to develop strong graduates who want to make a difference

THE challenge for universities is to produce graduates who can work with others to produce knowledge and research that can change institutions and societies for the better. That is the basis on which the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (Carta) began developing an approach to teaching PhDs 12 years ago. The consortium supports faculty members of public universities and research institutes on the continent who want to pursue a PhD. The training covers a range of research methods to ensure graduates value multidisciplinarity. It also includes a focus on stakeholder and community engagement and prepares students for life…

Nov

15

2023

By PROFESSOR COLIN CHASI

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion: Lessons for Universities from the Springboks

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

UNIVERSITIES across the globe can draw valuable insights from the World Champion Springboks regarding the power of diversity and inclusion. In clinching their fourth world title, the Springboks defeated the formidable All Blacks in an epic final that harked back to their iconic 1995 victory – a moment celebrated as one of the most significant nation-building milestones worldwide. Upon the Springboks triumphant return to Johannesburg, Siya Kolisi, the victorious captain, passionately declared, “This one is for every single person in South Africa, rich or poor - it doesn't matter. This win will inspire a lot of people, but it won’t…

Nov

09

2023

By The African Mirror

Nigeria’s women vice-chancellors: I know what it’s like to be one, and why there are so few

EDUCATION

THE secretary-general of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors in Nigeria recently disclosed that only 38 women have been vice-chancellors of universities in Nigeria since 1960, out of more than 720 in total. The Conversation Africa asked Ekanem Braide, the Nigerian Academy of Science president and a former vice-chancellor, why this is so and how the country can have more women as university heads. EKANEM BRAIDE, President, Nigerian Academy of Science Why are there so few female vice-chancellors in Nigeria? Only 5.27% of all Nigeria’s vice-chancellors since 1960 have been women. Only 12 of the current serving vice-chancellors are women. There are…

Feb

26

2023

By The African Mirror

Florida bill would ban gender studies majors, diversity programs at universities

WORLD

SHARON BERNSTEIN FLORIDA Governor Ron DeSantis would gain more influence in the state's public university system, and majors involving gender studies or critical race theory would be eliminated if a bill filed this week wins support from the Republican-controlled legislature. The new measure, which largely reflects a legislative agenda announced by DeSantis in January, also would ban consideration of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the hiring of faculty. It would require each institution's board of trustees to approve hires, giving DeSantis greater influence over those decisions because the governor appoints a significant number of board members. The wide-reaching legislation…

Jan

23

2023

By The African Mirror

Integrity of universities is critical

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

UNIVERSITIES are hallowed spaces dedicated to a relentless search for truth, knowledge and the acquisition of skills and expertise. It stands to reason that university campuses are environments where scholars and intellectuals flex their brain powers, train the young and provide society with new knowledge and the ability to advance through know-how. MOSIBUDI MANGENA They are therefore not sites for violence and shooting of guns. Physical violence and thuggery of any description should have no place in an institution of higher learning. Not only South Africa, but the whole world must be shocked beyond words by the attempted assassination of…

Aug

13

2022

By The African Mirror

Universities shouldn’t use software to monitor online exams: here’s why

EDUCATION

PROCTORING software monitors a student’s computer or phone while they write exams. These programs have been around for some time but became ubiquitous during online learning during the pandemic. Proctoria, Respondus and Proctor U, the most popular programs, have enjoyed a 500% increase in usage since the start of COVID-19 and proctoring software is now a US$19 billion global market. Author SIOUX MCKENNA, Director of Centre for Postgraduate Studies, Rhodes University & Visiting Research Professor in Center for International Higher Education, Boston College, Rhodes University Some proctoring programs work by checking that the student has only the test software and…

May

12

2022

By The African Mirror

Why award honorary doctorates, and what do the choices say about our universities?

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITIES like to associate themselves with exceptional individuals through the awarding of honorary doctorates, but this practice has often attracted controversy, creating headaches for university administrators. Honorary doctorates highlight uncomfortable but important questions about the purpose of the university and its role in reinforcing and perpetuating social inequality. Author KATE MURPHY, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary History, Monash University The tradition and purpose of honorary doctorates Honorary degrees (usually, though not always, doctorates) are awarded by universities to recognise outstanding achievement in a particular field, or service to the broader community. While some universities have established separate honorary degrees, such as…

Jul

18

2021

By The African Mirror

Online learning can be hard for students with disabilities: how to help

EDUCATION

THE first case of COVID-19 in South Africa was reported in March 2020 and on March 15, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a series of lockdown measures to curb the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These included the closure of both basic and higher education institutions. SINDILE NGUBANE, Full Professor, University of South Africa NKOSINATHI ZONGOZZI, Lecturer, University of South Africa Because of the pandemic, most educational institutions, including universities, abruptly went online. Online learning management systems and platforms were consequently adopted. One such university was the University of South Africa, with more than 400,000 students. As an open distance learning…

Feb

13

2021

By The African Mirror

COVID-19 has dealt a blow to Ethiopia’s private higher education institutions

EDUCATION

ETHIOPIA’S education sector has seen unprecedented challenges since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools and universities were closed for eight months following the confirmation of the first case on March 13, 2020. This put nearly 26 million primary and secondary school students, and around a million tertiary students, out of learning. WONDWOSEN TAMRAT, Associate Professor, St. Mary’s University Over the past few months, the effects of the pandemic have been pronounced in the private higher education sector whose resource base and capacity is too limited to withstand the impact of a crisis of this magnitude. Private higher education institutions…

Dec

02

2020

By The African Mirror

What complexity theory can teach leaders of South African universities today

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITIES are complex, dynamic organisations which must adapt in ways that aren’t always planned or predicted. For some university leaders, such challenges present an opportunity to lead for great change within the sector. For others, the sheer speed of unplanned change makes the situation feel chaotic and overwhelming. CYRILL WALTERS, Postdoctoral fellow, Stellenbosch University To succeed, university leaders need to understand that the qualities of leadership that may have worked in the past are different to those required in a complex world. South African higher education institutions experienced significant political unrest since March 2015 when the #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall movements…