Council for the Built Environment’s Post

South Africa: Universities Urged to Make Provision for Student Accommodation Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has encouraged institutions of higher learning to provide land on campus to build student accommodation facilities in a bid to make it easier to manage the standard of student accommodation and safety. https://buff.ly/49zcCqd

Redefining the Educational Paradigm in Senegal to Address Local Imperatives In the process of reshaping the educational framework in Senegal, a pressing mandate emerges: the imperative to tailor pedagogy to local, cultural, and economic veracities. A substantial segment of the populace languishes in illiteracy, devoid of rudimentary linguistic proficiencies in French, Arabic, English, or in local tongues such as Wolof, Soninke, or Serer. Confronted with this stark reality, a comprehensive overhaul becomes imperative to harmonize education with labor market exigencies and the aspirations of the burgeoning youth cohort. The incorporation of apprenticeship training surfaces as a pertinent panacea to expeditiously cater to the exigencies of the labor market, notably in pivotal sectors encompassing agriculture, industry, craftsmanship, and domains tethered to the exploitation of natural endowments such as oil, gas, gold, iron, water, alongside information and communication technologies (ICT). The remuneration for apprentices would be a Incentive Synchronizing labor market requisites with pragmatic, premium-quality instruction can surmount tomorrow's challenges. Aleviating university congestion through apprenticeship training would unfetter academic resources for more specialized and refined pedagogical pursuits. This initiative would also afford Cheikh Anta Diop University some reprieve, affording it the opportunity to undergo requisite reforms. The advocacy for other regional universities also merits consideration. The premature introduction of programs to nascent individuals and facilitating premature specialization. The overhaul of the educational apparatus constitutes an exigent necessity to contend with extant, empirical challenges bedeviling the nation, thereby ensuring a brighter future for forthcoming generations. Dr. ARD To read the full article, click on this link. https://lnkd.in/eZ4DJ9Ps

The British Council in Egypt supported the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University of Exeter and Ain Shams University in Cairo, paving the way for a significant partnership. This collaboration, part of our Higher Education Going Global partnerships programme, will lead to the establishment of Exeter’s first branch campus in Egypt, making it the first Russell Group university to take this step in the country. The new campus at Ain Shams University International Campus will offer globally recognised undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Exeter, and dual degree programmes tailored to address skills gaps in key industries.  The partnership also includes opportunities for professional development, staff and student exchanges, and collaborative research projects designed to tackle today’s global challenges. #TNE #BritishCouncil #Egypt

Let’s take a closer look at Arab higher education and compare the differences between public and private universities. Understanding these differences is key to improving the education system. Public universities, funded by the government, play an important role in offering affordable education to a wide range of students. Admissions usually require entrance exams and national high school diplomas, following a standardized curriculum. However, these schools often face issues like large class sizes, outdated resources, and less focus on research. Despite these challenges, public universities are respected for their role in meeting national workforce needs and promoting social equity. On the other hand, private universities, funded by tuition fees, endowments, and research grants, offer more flexibility in their programs and admissions. They focus on career-oriented specializations, have smaller class sizes for more personalized learning, and invest in modern facilities that attract international talent. However, the higher costs can make private education less accessible and raise concerns about prioritizing profit over educational quality. To improve higher education in the Arab world, it is crucial to enhance collaboration between public and private universities. By forming strong partnerships, sharing resources, and aligning curricula with industry needs, institutions can collectively enhance educational offerings. Investing in modern infrastructure, technology, and innovative teaching methods will further improve the quality of education and research. Policies that promote inclusivity and expand access to higher education are essential to ensure fair opportunities for all students. Focusing on research and innovation as key elements of education will not only boost academic excellence but also strengthen the Arab world’s global competitiveness. What strategies do you think could improve collaboration between public and private universities in the Arab world? #ArabEducation #HigherEd #PrivateUniversities #PublicUniversities

Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, the Executive Secretary of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), has emphasized the need for developing robust higher education policies to strengthen the educational framework in the region. Over the years, IUCEA has crafted several key documents that enhance the quality of education and promote harmonization among institutions in East Africa. During his discussion on the "Guidelines for Mainstreaming East African Community Ideals into Teaching Curriculum in Universities in East Africa," Prof. Banyankimbona highlighted the importance of incorporating regional values and ideals into university curricula. This approach fosters a sense of identity and unity among students. He also addressed the "Standards and Guidelines for Postgraduate Studies in East Africa," which ensure the integrity and quality of postgraduate education, making sure that advanced degrees meet rigorous educational standards. Additionally, he discussed the Quality Assurance Handbook, a comprehensive resource aimed at guiding institutions in implementing effective quality assurance processes at all levels of education. He emphasized the Principles and Guidelines for Quality Assurance, which provide a framework for maintaining educational standards and accountability among higher education institutions. Prof. Banyankimbona also highlighted the Quality Assurance Guidelines on Disabilities and Other Special Needs. This important document promotes inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that all students, regardless of their circumstances, receive a quality education. Furthermore, he spoke about the East African Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, which facilitates the recognition and comparability of qualifications across the region, thereby easing the mobility of students and professionals. Prof. Banyankimbona expressed a collective expectation that these initiatives will encourage a common understanding among all higher education stakeholders, drive the realization of a Common Higher Education Area, and ultimately contribute to the regional integration of the EAC as a powerful and cohesive bloc. By working together to implement these documents, we can ensure that our educational system meets the needs of our students and societies, preparing them to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. #EACCommonHigherEducationArea

Recognising the importance of a well-trained workforce in driving long-term economic growth, the Government of Guyana is making a number of strategic investments in vocational training and technical skill development. One of the pillars of the government’s strategy in building human capital is the expansionand modernisation of educational institutions. According to the mid-year report produced by the Ministry of Finance, the University of Guyana (UG) benefitted from a considerable portion of the country’s oil revenues which were allocated to upgrading its facilities. For the first half of this year, UG spent GY$1.9 billion of the GY$4.1 billion set aside for operational improvements. Among these developments is the construction of a new health sciences building at the Turkeyen campus, which is expected to be completed by 2025, offering more advanced training for healthcare professionals.

GTEC, GAAS to make Ghana’s Tertiary Education globally attractive The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) is seeking collaborate with the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences to position the country Africa’s most attractive destination for tertiary education. Read more:https://lnkd.in/e-2q3P9C #Ghanadaily

TO THE GOVERNMENT I commend the establishment of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) under the 2020 Education Regulatory Bodies Act. GTEC's statutory mandate includes advising the Minister on tertiary programs’ relevance to national development and coordinating the planning of the tertiary education system in line with manpower needs and national development goals. Before approving any academic program, GTEC is required to consult with industry to ensure alignment between education and employment needs. Significantly, the Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission sits on GTEC’s governing board. Four years after the law, I expect that GTEC has undertaken a full assessment of all tertiary programs, matched them with national development goals, and submitted its findings to the Minister, who is taking action on them.‘Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.’ Also, the 2019 Ghana Tertiary Education Policy emphasises partnerships with industry for validating program relevance, funding support and research collaboration. According to the policy, both students and faculty should have internships with industry. From these internships, students will gain experiential learning that makes them ready for the job or entrepreneurial market. The faculty also gets the chance to refine teaching by integrating industry practice. Industry will enrich its knowledge in contemporary theories and technology adaptation. I hope these initiatives become real practices, not just aspirational policies. ‘Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.’ In November 2013, I spoke at the Congregation at the University of Ghana on the topic ‘Brains Develop a Nation; not [Natural] Resources,’ and I said: ‘…the solutions to Ghana’s problems are in Ghana. Many of them are hiding right here in the various faculties and archives of our universities. Why do I say that? Every year, literally hundreds of students engage in supervised project work, theses and dissertations, all of which identify and actually solve, at least on paper, many of the problems that confront us. Loads of research have been conducted in, for instance, our Bio-Chemistry and Engineering faculties. These should feed industry; but there are no linkages. We have to start digging out those archives and bringing them to life, for us to learn, unlearn and relearn that vast wealth of solutions that is presently in hiding. It is the mind that develops a nation, not [natural] resources.’ #MethodistUniversityGhana #Graduation2024 Methodist University Ghana

North East partnership to build future skills “As a regional Centre of Excellence, HICSA’s strategic connection with Northumbria University will see the systems of further and higher education brought closer together, supporting the priorities of government, widening opportunities, and enabling growth for the construction industries, now and into the future.” Education Partnership North East and Northumbria University have announced a partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Ellen Thinnesen OBE Professor Andy Long, FREng, centred on the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA) in Riverside Sunderland. The new £20 million state-of-the-art facility, set to open in 2025, will provide a skills gateway designed to attract people into pursuing careers in the housing and construction sectors. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eE-fAt7K Sunderland College Gentoo Group Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust Sunderland City Council The North East Combined Authority

"Egypt is planning to establish branches of some of its universities in the rest of Africa, the Arab region and Asia in collaboration with the private sector as part of its ongoing efforts to internationalise its higher education." Will it work? https://lnkd.in/evbpNxEs