Since its creation in 1989, the Working Group on Higher Education (WGHE) has acted mainly as a forum for the analysis and discussion of higher education issues. In 1998, in response to encouragement from the ADEA Steering Committee, the Working Group took initial steps away from its traditional role as a forum of exchange of information to involve itself more directly in actions which might contribute to the improvement of higher education in Africa. This change in WGHE's traditional activities subsequently prompted discussions among members regarding appropriate roles and activities for the Working Group in the years ahead. This in turn has led to the decision to sponsor an external review of WGHE's past performance and future possibilities.
WGHE's main accomplishments during 1998 were three: (i) publication of an overview and directory to programs for tertiary distance learning in sub-Saharan Africa; (ii) assistance in the establishment of a Web Site for the Association of African Universities (AAU); and (iii) the development of concrete proposals for regional collaboration in post-graduate training and research within networks of African universities.
Tertiary distance learning
A meeting of the Working Group was held in St. Louis, Senegal in October 1997 to review the African experience with tertiary distance learning. Inputs included two major surveys of existing experience and lessons learned in francophone, lusophone and anglophone countries. In addition, eight case studies were presented. On the participants' recommendation, a consultant was hired to synthesize all of the material. The resulting report Tertiary Distance Learning in Sub-Saharan Africa: Overview and Directory to Programs was published in French and English and distributed to all African Ministers of Education, to university rectors and vice-chancellors, African specialists in distance education, and donor agency representatives. Copies are available form the WGHE coordinator on request.
The AAU Web Site
The Association of African Universities (AAU) launched its Web Site (www.aau.org) in April 1998. The bilingual site features the AAU Newsletter, AAU studies, descriptions of major AAU projects, a conference schedule and a directory of AAU's 148 member universities which includes hot links to those institutions having Internet capacities.
Sub-regional collaboration
WGHE is increasingly concerned by the inability of African higher education systems to maintain the quality and numbers of academic staff needed to support the expected expansion of tertiary enrollments in the years ahead. Problems include growing difficulties in staff recruitment and retention, the decline in local research activity, the rising cost of post-graduate training overseas, and the rigidities and inefficiencies of many national post-graduate programs. It has long been recognized that these problems might be ameliorated by the establishment of multi-country or sub-regional programs in collaborative post-graduate training and research.
In the past, such efforts were constrained by the high cost of program coordination and communications. Now, however, the expanding use of e-mail creates the possibility of overcoming these constraints. Consequently, the WGHE has been supporting efforts by the AAU to promote regional cooperation in post-graduate training and related research through the formation of inter-university networks in selected fields.
With funding from the WGHE, the Association of African Universities invited its 148 member institutions to submit proposals for "Inter-University Cooperation in Graduate Training." Some 41 proposals representing institutions in 35 countries were received. An AAU selection committee, aided by a WGHE consultant, evaluated these proposals for innovation and sustainability. Seven proposals were chosen and were presented at the twelfth meeting of the WGHE in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (Nov. 3-5, 1998) on the theme of Regional Cooperation in Graduate Training and Research. The proposals focused on collaborative graduate training and/or research in the fields of distance education, accounting, human rights, scientific publication, energy systems, drought resistant plants, and environmental management. The proposals are currently being revised and submitted to development partners for funding consideration.
William Saint
Coordinator of the Working Group on Higher Education
New publication
Tertiary Distance Learning in Sub-Saharan Africa
Tertiary Distance learning in Sub-Saharan Africa is a directory based on surveys of existing tertiary level programs in distance learning in sub-Saharan Africa. The report also draws upon information and papers presented at the meeting of the Working Group on Higher Education in Saint-Louis, Senegal on October 20, 1997.
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