Growing a new generation of mathematics researchers for Africa

By Karen MacGregor – Acting Global Editor. In Africa Features, Munyaradzi Makoni looks at efforts by the Southern Africa Mathematical Sciences Association to promote international research collaboration in mathematical sciences and train a critical mass of researchers. Sharon Dell reports on how South African universities of technology are positioning themselves as partners in the field of waste recycling and management, a relatively new and potentially lucrative research and job creation area.
In Africa Analysis, Tunde Fatunde and colleagues comment on a thought-provoking paper on university transformation by Oladapo Afolabi, a professor of applied chemistry and former head of service for the Nigerian government. Renu Modi and Rhea D’Silva write that racism against Africans in India is a reality that must be countered by promoting greater intercultural understanding.
The United Kingdom’s referendum on whether to stay in or leave the European Union will take place on Thursday 23 June. In World Blog, Elspeth Jones and Hans de Wit look at the possible impact of Brexit on the numbers of international – and particularly EU – students choosing to study in the UK.
In Commentary, Gerard Postiglione and Xiaoyu Chen write that major changes to universities in China indicate that they are shifting from the Soviet model towards the international mainstream of research universities.
Anand Kulkarni and Angel Calderon maintain that India’s new national university ranking scheme has much to commend it but there are opportunities for improvement, while William G Tierney says the Indian government’s goal to have 20 highly ranked world-class universities is unrealistic, requiring not only huge investment but also reforms promoting institutional autonomy and academic freedom. Read more...