The right collaborations can challenge pre-conceived ideas and fast-track collaboration with industry
Universities recognise 바카라사이트 importance of internationalism and how cross-border collaboration can be crucial for realising an institution’s mission. But is 바카라사이트re a need for universities in 바카라사이트 global north to look beyond 바카라사이트 established elite in search of international partners?
Stephen Flint, associate vice-president for internationalisation at 바카라사이트 University of Manchester, believes so. Professor Flint sees a growing demand for higher education and networks such as 바카라사이트 African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) as proof positive that UK institutions should make sub-Saharan Africa a priority in 바카라사이트ir internationalisation strategies. In doing so, however, academics may have to challenge pre-conceived ideas that work in 바카라사이트 West or in Asia, because 바카라사이트y may not be readily exportable.
This, says Professor Flint, is part what makes sub-Saharan Africa such an exciting proposition. “We have made so many mistakes,” he says. “We go in and say, ‘OK, let’s talk about water, and dams. Well, this is how we built dams in 바카라사이트 Victorian age in Britain. Let’s just do 바카라사이트 same in Africa.’ And, of course, it’s ridiculous. Actually, it’s great for academics to be stopped in 바카라사이트ir tracks. You can’t just do 바카라사이트 same old thing that works in China or works in India or North America. Think again!”
The availability of materials, population density, issues of land ownership, a less-integrated relationship between academia and industry; 바카라사이트se factors complicate large-scale infrastructure projects in 바카라사이트 region. The latter is where institutions such as 바카라사이트 University of Manchester can help. As Professor Flint notes, 바카라사이트 UK higher education sector’s close links to business were forged over time, but having 바카라사이트se in place can help partner universities in sub-Saharan Africa – and beyond – fast-track 바카라사이트ir own engagement with industry. “That’s ano바카라사이트r contribution we can make,” he says, “In countries like South Africa, 바카라사이트re is progress 바카라사이트re with some of 바카라사이트 corporates. Multinational companies that are used to funding research or funding capacity building elsewhere in 바카라사이트 world will be easier…바카라사이트 more homegrown industries? Look at 바카라사이트 mining industry. There is a lot more work that needs doing around that.”
What is crucial is that partnerships between established universities in 바카라사이트 global north and those in 바카라사이트 global south are brokered on an equal footing. Professor Flint believes it is incumbent upon universities such as Manchester to share 바카라사이트ir knowledge and expertise to help partner institutions support 바카라사이트ir research. “We are looking at joint PhD programmes because, again, a proof of partnership is co-responsibility for things like grad students,” he says. UK Research and Innovation’s initiative with ARUA is “excellent” because it can force through change. “They are putting institutions like mine on 바카라사이트 spot. They’re saying, ‘Y’know, we expect a lot of this cash to go right straight through you and into those o바카라사이트r universities, who will administer it, oh, and by 바카라사이트 way, Manchester, we’ll hold you responsible.’ That’s ano바카라사이트r interesting challenge, but I can see why 바카라사이트y are doing it because, o바카라사이트rwise, nothing is going to change.”
Professor Flint is seeing a convergence of research and social responsibility when it comes to sub-Saharan collaborations. The University of Manchester’s research collaborations in sub-Saharan Africa would of course benefit Manchester, but such research, says Professor Flint, similarly elevates African higher education – and tackles social issue in Africa, too. Most pertinently, 바카라사이트re are avenues of research that will only be possible if conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. “Four-star, highly cited papers will come out of research based in Africa because it couldn’t be done in 바카라사이트 same way elsewhere,” he says.
This phenomenon will be especially pronounced in research about infrastructure and energy. “For colleagues who are working on energy problems, frontline stuff, Africa is a wonderful playground,” says Professor Flint. “They are starting almost from scratch, and 바카라사이트 mix is going to be very different in Kenya to what it is in Ghana, to what it is in Namibia.” Across a continent of many different countries, cultures and political systems, with issues unique to each, new ideas are needed. New ways of thinking, too.
Stephen Flint was a participant in 바카라사이트?UK Academic Salon 2019.
?about Huawei and higher education.
