By Gilbert Nganga. Kenyan universities are facing a fresh financial crisis following revelations contained in a recent national audit that they are operating at a deficit of over US$100 million, with serious consequences for education quality. Read more...

By Esther Nakkazi. Following the suspension of student loans and the imposition of a week-long ultimatum, 15 universities in Tanzania have responded to a ministerial directive to pay back loans issued to them for thousands of so-called ‘ghost’ students. Read more...

By Ochieng’ O Benny. Cancer has become one of the most serious disease burdens choking Africa’s fragile and inadequate health infrastructure. While health systems are poorly equipped to deal with a rising number of cases, most shocking is the lack of cancer experts to conduct research, diagnosis, prevention and treatment across the vast continent. Read more...

By Ochieng’ O Benny. The increasing cancer burden in Africa has prompted efforts in higher education to tackle a scarcity of oncologists. This month sees the launch of a fellowship initiative by the University of Nairobi and German-based pharmaceutical Merck Group, to train experts across Africa. Read more...

By Shadreck Chirikure. If you want to learn about Africa, there’s no need to go to Algeria, Mali, Zambia or anywhere else on the continent. Instead, you’ll need to visit – at great cost – institutions in the global North like Johns Hopkins University or the School of Oriental and African Studies. Places like these host a wealth of African knowledge databases. Read more...

By Tunde Fatunde. About a decade ago, Clifford Tagoe was just weeks into his new position as vice-chancellor of the University of Ghana when he made a radical proposal. Read more...

By Brennan Weiss. About a decade ago, Clifford Tagoe was just weeks into his new position as vice-chancellor of the University of Ghana when he made a radical proposal. Read more...

By Karen MacGregor – Africa Editor. In Africa Features, Brennan Weiss reports on a gathering in Ghana that discussed new kinds of councils needed for Africa’s expanding and transforming universities. Tunde Fatunde attended a meeting of the Association of Commonwealth Universities that looked at next steps for its prestigious scholarship and fellowship plan.
In Commentary, John Richard Schrock explains why open access and piracy of research publications may threaten the core of the science enterprise. Angel Calderon says the 13th edition of the QS world university rankings will be remembered for the gains or losses it brought. Fiona Hunter and Hans de Wit write that the likely loss of the United Kingdom from the European Higher Education Area following Brexit could impact negatively on internationalisation of universities. Jennifer Olson argues that more inclusive internationalisation will enable institutions to act more nimbly to the ‘new mobility’ caused by the refugee crisis. And Ararat Osipian says the latest corruption case in Ukraine against an acting university rector comes as no surprise given that corruption is entrenched in universities at all levels.
In a series on ‘Transformative Leadership’ in which University World News is partnering with The MasterCard Foundation, Dennis Tourish recommends a more ethical approach to leadership, where there is more equal exchange and leaders are subject to criticism.
Be sure to register for the second free webinar to be hosted by University World News in partnership with DrEducation on 4 October, entitled “Embracing Technology for Global Engagement: A leadership challenge and opportunity”. Read more...