By Lynn Davies. Given that a significant proportion of extremists of all persuasions are highly educated, with university level qualifications, it is not surprising the spotlight is on higher education institutions across the world with regard to their role in preventing extremism. Read more...

The new Hassan II agronomic and environmental sciences faculty in Gaza, financed by the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, was inaugurated on 24 August.
The new institution, named after the king’s father, cost more than US$6 million to construct, reported Libération of Casablanca. Read more...

By David J Hornsby. The stories emerging about black students' experiences in South African universities are nothing short of tragic. Stellenbosch University students have released a film called Luister – Listen – which documents their experiences of racist and exclusionary behaviour. Read more...

By Munyaradzi Makoni. Further investigation and more data are needed to develop the knowledge, management and skills needed to drive effective online learning practices at universities in Southern Africa, a meeting of higher education leaders heard last week. Read more...

By Geoff Maslen. Revelations last week by a global team of academics and scientists that a previously unknown but ancient relative of humankind had been discovered in a remote South African cave have generated media coverage around the world. Read more...

By Karen MacGregor. People from across the world have been collaborating to develop policies and actions that will chart the future for higher education, says Professor Mandla Makhanya, vice-chancellor of the University of South Africa. A high-level policy forum at next month’s conference of the International Council for Open and Distance Education, or ICDE, will apply regional lenses to help forge the way ahead for online, open and flexible learning. Read more...

By Jane Marshall. A new academy of sciences and technologies of Algeria will be opened this month, Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research Tahar Hadjar has announced. He also stressed the importance of the role of universities within the economy. Read more...

By Wagdy Sawahel. The Centre d’Orientation et de Reconversion Professionnelle, or CORP, opened on 1 September and is seen as a step in implementing Tunisia’s 10-year higher education and research reforms, which focus on improving graduate employability and revitalising research. Read more...

By Wagdy Sawahel. Although Sub-Saharan African countries have allocated large shares of government spending to education, the region’s university enrolment rates are among the lowest in the world and a severe mismatch still exists between the skills young Africans have and those employers need, according to a new ‘State of Education in Africa’ report. Read more...

By Gilbert Nganga. Under its recently launched African Diaspora Support to African Universities initiative, CODESRIA has invited African scholars in the diaspora to submit proposals for visiting professorships to the continent’s universities. Read more...