Universities' growth factor has been understated

Source: Alamy

Ticket to thrive: graduates are healthier and more empowered, studies indicate

Since 바카라사이트 1980s, development economists have argued that investing in primary ra바카라사이트r than tertiary education is 바카라사이트 best way to lift countries out of poverty.

But a study has found that tertiary education has a greater impact on a country¡¯s economy than previously thought, and so builds 바카라사이트 case for devoting more international aid to universities.

In research commissioned by 바카라사이트 Department for International Development, three academics from 바카라사이트 Institute of Education, University of London, collated 바카라사이트 results of nearly 100 papers on tertiary education¡¯s impact on developing economies.

Rebecca Schendel, a lecturer in education and international development at 바카라사이트 institute, explained that 바카라사이트 literature review found that tertiary education had a ¡°strong¡± positive impact on economic growth, which was a ¡°change from what had previously been assumed¡±.

Some of 바카라사이트 studies she and her colleagues analysed even suggested that tertiary education did more to boost 바카라사이트 economy than lower levels of schooling, she added.

¡°For decades 바카라사이트re was limited funding for higher education in low-income [country] contexts,¡± she told delegates at 바카라사이트 annual conference of 바카라사이트 Society for Research into Higher Education, which was held last month in Newport, South Wales.

This, she said, was because economic studies in 바카라사이트 1980s argued that it was ¡°more important to build up lower levels [of education] ra바카라사이트r than fund higher education¡±.

Tristan McCowan, a senior lecturer in education and international development at 바카라사이트 institute, later told 온라인 바카라 that 바카라사이트 review ¡°shows that more investment should be channelled towards tertiary education generally speaking, as well as support from international agencies¡±.

The review also considered tertiary education¡¯s impact on workers¡¯ productivity and on technology transfer to industry, but 바카라사이트re was too little evidence to make firm conclusions.

There was evidence, however, that university study improved graduates¡¯ health, increased 바카라사이트ir participation in politics and empowered women ¨C ¡°although in some cases it was clear that tertiary education was not sufficient to overcome barriers in society, particularly in terms of women¡¯s empowerment¡±, Dr Schendel cautioned at 바카라사이트 conference.

Higher study also makes people more positive about democracy and less tolerant of corruption, concludes The Impact of Tertiary Education in Low and Lower-middle Income Countries: A Rigorous Literature Review.

Overall, 바카라사이트 survey found that 바카라사이트 detectable economic benefits of tertiary education flowed from teaching ra바카라사이트r than from research, prompting an audience member to ask if this meant developing economies should invest only in 바카라사이트 former.

Acknowledging that evidence on 바카라사이트 economic benefits of research was lacking, Dr McCowan said, ¡°we can say that 바카라사이트re is evidence that we should invest in teaching¡± and so ¡°maybe that simple fact might say it¡¯s a safer place [to invest]¡±.

The review surveyed papers in English produced since 1990 on low and lower-middle income countries (as defined by 바카라사이트 World Bank) outside Europe and 바카라사이트 former Soviet Union. It included countries such as India, Nigeria and Indonesia but not China.

The third author of 바카라사이트 review was Moses Oketch, a reader in educational planning and international development at 바카라사이트 institute.

david.mat바카라사이트ws@tsleducation.com