By Nicola Jenvey. The open and distance learning – or ODL – vision of accessible, low-cost, high-quality provision has never been more relevant, as conventional higher education the world over continues to be beset by access, cost and productivity challenges. Read more...

By Gilbert Nganga. Kenya has kicked off a multi-million-dollar push to develop student hostels in five public universities by tapping into private funds, with the ultimate goal being to drive up enrolments. The project is expected to provide more than 50,000 new student beds. Read more...

By Stephen Coan. The dialogue, themed “Leveraging Research and Innovation for South Africa’s Prosperity”, was held by Universities South Africa or USAf and drew delegates from the top echelons of the country’s 26 public universities, government and other agencies. Read more...

By Stephen Coan. “When the students are at the gate, it’s too late for polite discussion. We need a realistic acknowledgement of what we confront,” said Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor at a recent Research and Innovation Dialogue. Challenges to research were laid bare and hard decisions made – including the need for universities to specialise. Read more...

By Brendan O’Malley. In two 13-week periods of coverage between now and July, and from September to November, University World News will be publishing reports on developments in transformative leadership and education for transformative leadership around the world and commentaries from distinguished experts. Read more...

By Karen MacGregor – Africa Editor. In Africa Features, Stephen Coan covers Universities South Africa’s recent Research and Innovation Dialogue. Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor said the time for talk was over and transformation had to be tackled, while Anastassios Pouris proposed funding instruments to raise South Africa’s competitiveness in science and technology.
Also on the topic of financing, Wachira Kigotho reports on funding models for African universities proposed at a recent gathering of experts in Kenya, including tapping Africa’s growing number of billionaires.
Presenting the 2016 Worldviews Annual Lecture on Media and Higher Education, Rajani Naidoo disputed the idea that competition can be unthinkingly applied to answer all of the unsolved problems of higher education.
In the first part of a six-month series on “Transformative Leadership” in which University World News is partnering with The MasterCard Foundation, Chris Roche describes the term ‘transformative leadership' – where the actions of broad-based social movements bring about greater social justice – and discusses the role of universities in this process. Also, the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins affirms the role of the university in enabling citizens to develop the intellectual tools to address great challenges of our time.
In Commentary, Goolam Mohamedbhai says a recent meeting of experts in Washington and its outcomes should be considered the start of a larger global venture addressing the serious issue of corruption in higher education. Read more...

By Brendan O’Malley – Managing Editor. Presenting last week’s 2016 Worldviews Annual Lecture on Media and Higher Education, Rajani Naidoo disputed the idea that competition can be unthinkingly applied to answer all of the unsolved problems of higher education.
In the first part of a six-month series on “Transformative Leadership” in which University World News is partnering with The MasterCard Foundation, Chris Roche describes the term ‘transformative leadership' – where the actions of broad-based social movements bring about greater social justice – and discusses the role of universities in this process. Also in this series, the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, in his opening speech to the European University Association’s conference, affirms the role of the university in enabling citizens to develop the intellectual tools to address the great challenges of our time.
In Commentary, Goolam Mohamedbhai says a recent meeting of experts in Washington and its outcomes should be considered the start of a larger global venture addressing the serious issue of corruption in higher education.
In our World Blog this week, Christine Arnold and Grace Karram Stephenson say a good credit transfer system is important for student progression and social equity, and describe the refinement of the system in Canada’s Ontario province.
In a section on Africa, Stephen Coan covers Universities South Africa’s recent Research and Innovation Dialogue. Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor said the time for talk was over and transformation had to be tackled, while Anastassios Pouris proposed funding instruments to raise South Africa’s competitiveness in science and technology. Also on the topic of financing, Wachira Kigotho reports on funding models for African universities proposed at a recent gathering of experts in Kenya, including tapping Africa’s growing number of billionaires. Read more...