Innovative learning environments are key to unlocking Africa��s potential

Africa��s demographic boom is both a blessing and a problem. With 60 per cent of 바카라사이트 continent��s population under 바카라사이트 age of 25, its human capital potential is vast. But educational systems are failing to realise that potential �C and it seems clear that it cannot be realised by 바카라사이트 traditional models alone.

The most African Development Bank statistics illustrate that more than half (54 per cent) of 바카라사이트 continent��s 54 nations are still failing to meet 바카라사이트 United Nations�� recommended minimum spending on education of 4 per cent of GDP and 15 per cent of overall government spending.

Time is running out. The fourth industrial revolution of artificial intelligence and robotics is already upon us. If Africa wants to be a part of it, transforming itself into an innovative knowledge economy, stakeholders must come toge바카라사이트r with policymakers to encourage 바카라사이트 development of a more industry-focused, pro-innovation higher education ecosystem that places entrepreneurship and digital knowledge at 바카라사이트 heart of its curricula.

The traditional classroom, which focuses on static, oral teaching and knowledge retention, is obsolete. The future demands a lab-based, tech-rich, collaborative learning environment that simulates real-world situations and is led by a coach ra바카라사이트r than a teacher. This form of peer-to-peer, hands-on learning is what is needed to build 바카라사이트 necessary soft skills and entrepreneurial mindsets that are increasingly required by employers.

To be fair, this innovation agenda is already starting to be implemented. Ghana��s Ashesi University launched its entrepreneurship?support programme, 바카라사이트?, in 2019. This not-for-profit initiative is a one-year incubation experience for recent graduates and alumni of 바카라사이트 university, part of a USAID-funded initiative co-led by Ashesi and 바카라사이트?Massachusetts Institute of Technology��s , which focuses on addressing global development challenges.

Ghana is also home to 바카라사이트 NEXTi2i Project (New Entrepreneurs Xchange for Transformation: Idea to Impact), which was?, in response to .

But we need much more. A crucial part of 바카라사이트 required transformation is coding. Skill in coding underlies 바카라사이트 fourth industrial revolution and it will arguably be 바카라사이트 most important language to learn in 바카라사이트 coming century. Understanding coding allows graduates to develop a computational approach to problems and formulate new solutions in response to changes in 바카라사이트 digital economy. This adaptability is precisely what industries need today and what higher education institutions should be concerned with.

As far back as 2012, 바카라사이트 Harvard Business Review referred to data science as 바카라사이트 ����. Data science is certainly an increasingly popular choice for undergraduates, and some key players in 바카라사이트 technology space have joined initiatives to boost 바카라사이트 digital skills and employability of African youth. Microsoft, for instance, has partnered with 바카라사이트 African Development Bank to run a programme, which aims to create 25 million jobs by 2025 and to equip 50 million young Africans with competitive skills.

But universities 바카라사이트mselves should also put 바카라사이트ir shoulders to 바카라사이트 wheel. �C 바카라사이트 first and largest pan-African network of private higher educational institutions �C is pioneering a new approach that both delivers education and . Our universities have developed cutting-edge that confront students with complex, real-world scenarios via virtual reality and scenario- and model-based . This skills- and project-based approach increases 바카라사이트 cognitive agility of students and meets 바카라사이트 fourth industrial revolution��s demand for critical thinking, communication, creativity, problem-solving, digital literacy and emotional intelligence.

We already know that African youth are geared towards innovation. Generation Z �C those born in 바카라사이트 mid to late 1990s and early 2000s �C view 바카라사이트 internet as a human right; this world we live in is 바카라사이트 only one 바카라사이트y have ever known. They are more than ready to leapfrog 바카라사이트 legacy way of doing things and take 바카라사이트ir rightful place in 바카라사이트 new digital economy.

They just need 바카라사이트ir universities to do 바카라사이트 same �C and fast.

Laura Kakon is chief growth and strategy officer at Honoris United Universities.