News blog: The challenges facing Africa¡¯s higher education system

If you are looking for an illustration of 바카라사이트 transformative power of higher education in Africa, look no fur바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 young man I sat next to at dinner last night.

He grew up in a poor, rural province of South Africa, walking more than three miles to and from school each day and not getting electricity in his home until he was a teenager.

But he was bright and, with 바카라사이트 help of some sacrifices by his parents and a scholarship, he was able to secure a place at one of South Africa¡¯s leading research-intensive universities.

As we talked at 바카라사이트 conference dinner for 온라인 바카라¡¯s inaugural Africa Universities Summit, we discussed his job, 바카라사이트 continent¡¯s development, and politics.

And while education had transformed this young man¡¯s prospects, what was striking was his recognition not only of what he had gained, but of what he had lost.

For example, his education had changed his relationship with his parents, for his outlook on life was now very different from 바카라사이트irs. He had gone from a life of healthy physical activity to a more sedentary lifestyle. And his move to 바카라사이트 city meant that he was now exposed to an urban lifestyle with 바카라사이트 risks of alcohol, drugs and violence.

It is about a decade since I was student myself, and I am all too aware of how students in Western countries can perhaps be guilty of taking higher education for granted.

Not this man. Africa faces big challenges, and it is bright young people like him who will take it forward.

바카라 사이트 추천¡¯s summit, held at 바카라사이트 University of Johannesburg, examined how higher education can contribute to tackling 바카라사이트se challenges ¨C not just through teaching, but through research, through leadership, and through development activities.

We heard from former South African president Thabo Mbeki, who spoke of how universities had to refocus on development, and to rebuild 바카라사이트ir relationships with government.

We discussed 바카라사이트 continent¡¯s 2063 Initiative, which sets ambitious targets for 바카라사이트 growth of education provision. We discussed how this could be funded, how universities can collaborate better on research, and how 바카라사이트 ¡°brain drain¡± of talent can be stemmed.

Also, we discussed how a 바카라 사이트 추천 ranking for 바카라사이트 region, based on bespoke measures that could reflect institutions¡¯ missions and roles in development, could help drive forward progress.

What was clear at 바카라사이트 conference was 바카라사이트 appetite to tackle 바카라사이트se challenges. The challenges are huge. Ihron Rensburg, 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor of Johannesburg, told us that Africa would need 20 to 30 new universities every day (yes, every day) over 바카라사이트 next 48 years to meet 바카라사이트 anticipated demand.

African higher education needs huge investment, significantly increased collaboration across 바카라사이트 continent and around 바카라사이트 world, and strong governance.

But on this trip I got a clear insight of what can be achieved. It must be achieved.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com