A new open-access book by James Ransom, NCEE’s Head of Research, explores how Africa’s large public universities are evolving to meet local, national and global demands.
Revisiting Africa’s Flagship Universities: Local, National and International Dynamics draws on case studies of 10 flagship institutions, examining the complex balancing act these universities face in pursuing world-class status while remaining relevant to national development needs and local communities.
The book provides valuable lessons on how universities can become more entrepreneurial and engaged with society. Key themes include:
- How universities are diversifying funding and developing industry partnerships
- The challenges of producing employable graduates in rapidly changing economies
- Efforts to make research more relevant for local development
- The role of strategic planning in shaping university priorities
- Tensions between global aspirations and local and national relevance.
While focused on Africa, the lessons on balancing excellence, relevance and entrepreneurship are applicable for university leaders and policymakers worldwide who are seeking to enhance their institution’s societal impact and entrepreneurial capacity.
Read it here for free: africanminds.co.za/flagship-universities/. There’s also a summary article in The Conversation, and coverage in University World News.