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CULTURE AND SOCIETY
New open access book: Rethinking Heritage for Sustainable Development (UCL Press)
UCL Press is delighted to announce the publication of a new open access book that may be of interest to list subscribers.
Rethinking Heritage for Sustainable Development, by Sophia Labadi.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN in 2015 have influenced the actions of international and intergovernmental organisations and governments around the world, and have dictated priorities for international aid spending. Culture, including heritage, is often presented as fundamental to addressing the SDGs: since 2010, the United Nations has adopted no fewer than five major policy recommendations that assert its importance as a driver and enabler of development. Yet, heritage is marginalized from the Sustainable Development Goals.
Rethinking Heritage for Sustainable Development constitutes a substantial and original assessment of whether and how heritage has contributed to three key dimensions of sustainable development (namely poverty reduction, gender equality and environmental sustainability) within the context of its marginalisation from the Sustainable Development Goals and from previous international development agendas.
Sophia Labadi adopts a novel, inclusive, large-scale and systematic approach, providing the first comprehensive history of the international approaches on culture (including heritage) for development, from 1970 to the present day. This book is also the first to assess the negative and positive impacts of all the international projects implemented in sub-Saharan Africa by a consortium of UN organisations that aimed to provide evidence for the contribution of heritage for development in time for the negotiation of the SDGs. The book’s conclusions provide recommendations for rethinking heritage for development, while reflecting on the major shortcomings of the selected projects.
Free download: https://bit.ly/3m10NRK
By:
Raquel Acosta
No Preview Available
CULTURE AND SOCIETY
New open access book: Rethinking Heritage for Sustainable Development (UCL Press)
UCL Press is delighted to announce the publication of a new open access book that may be of interest to list subscribers.
Rethinking Heritage for Sustainable Development, by Sophia Labadi.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN in 2015 have influenced the actions of international and intergovernmental organisations and governments around the world, and have dictated priorities for international aid spending. Culture, including heritage, is often presented as fundamental to addressing the SDGs: since 2010, the United Nations has adopted no fewer than five major policy recommendations that assert its importance as a driver and enabler of development. Yet, heritage is marginalized from the Sustainable Development Goals.
Rethinking Heritage for Sustainable Development constitutes a substantial and original assessment of whether and how heritage has contributed to three key dimensions of sustainable development (namely poverty reduction, gender equality and environmental sustainability) within the context of its marginalisation from the Sustainable Development Goals and from previous international development agendas.
Sophia Labadi adopts a novel, inclusive, large-scale and systematic approach, providing the first comprehensive history of the international approaches on culture (including heritage) for development, from 1970 to the present day. This book is also the first to assess the negative and positive impacts of all the international projects implemented in sub-Saharan Africa by a consortium of UN organisations that aimed to provide evidence for the contribution of heritage for development in time for the negotiation of the SDGs. The book’s conclusions provide recommendations for rethinking heritage for development, while reflecting on the major shortcomings of the selected projects.
Free download: https://bit.ly/3m10NRK
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By:
Raquel Acosta
No Preview Available
OTHER
Perceptions of online self- and peer-assessment: accounting students in a large undergraduate cohort
Purpose
Self-assessment (SA) and peer-assessment (PA) are considered useful tools in the development of lifelong learning and reflective skills. The authors implemented a teaching intervention using SA and PA amongst a large cohort of final year undergraduate students. The purpose of this study was to investigate students' perceptions of online SA and PA in order to understand the differences between these perceptions and to allow instructors to adopt differentiated instruction in developing a diverse student group's professional skills.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design adopted a mixed methods approach through the use of surveys that were administered before and after the SA and peer-assessment intervention in a taxation module taught at a large public South African university. Through the use of a series of open and closed questions students' perceptions on SA and peer-assessment were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Findings
The findings show that student perceptions of SA and peer-assessment differed significantly, where perceptions of SA were more positive than those towards PA. The findings indicate that SA and peer-assessment still present a challenge in an online context for large student cohorts, despite improved tracking, faster feedback and anonymity.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the literature by analysing students' perceptions about SA and peer-assessment in an accounting education context and in an online setting in South Africa.
By:
Teresa Pidduck
OTHER
Perceptions of online self- and peer-assessment: accounting students in a large undergraduate cohort
Purpose
Self-assessment (SA) and peer-assessment (PA) are considered useful tools in the development of lifelong learning and reflective skills. The authors implemented a teaching intervention using SA and PA amongst a large cohort of final year undergraduate students. The purpose of this study was to investigate students' perceptions of online SA and PA in order to understand the differences between these perceptions and to allow instructors to adopt differentiated instruction in developing a diverse student group's professional skills.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design adopted a mixed methods approach through the use of surveys that were administered before and after the SA and peer-assessment intervention in a taxation module taught at a large public South African university. Through the use of a series of open and closed questions students' perceptions on SA and peer-assessment were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Findings
The findings show that student perceptions of SA and peer-assessment differed significantly, where perceptions of SA were more positive than those towards PA. The findings indicate that SA and peer-assessment still present a challenge in an online context for large student cohorts, despite improved tracking, faster feedback and anonymity.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the literature by analysing students' perceptions about SA and peer-assessment in an accounting education context and in an online setting in South Africa.
Read more
By:
Teresa Pidduck
OTHER
Sobering up in South Africa: The Sin Tax Consequences of a Pandemic
In this article, the authors describe how the South African government has responded to the COVID‑19 crisis through fiscal measures, with a particular focus on the alcohol and tobacco prohibitions. Two severe and fairly unique measures implemented by the government were the prohibition of tobacco and the prohibition of alcohol (and related products). These two measures had an impact on the sin taxes received by the fiscus for the duration of the prohibitions but also had less obvious other short‑ and long‑term fiscal impacts, as well as various social, political and legal implications. This article reviews the tobacco and alcohol prohibitions, the responses by commentators and the short‑ and long‑term effects of these prohibitions on the fiscus and the economy, citing a particular need for a renewed focus on the excise duties on these two products.
By:
Teresa Pidduck
OTHER
Sobering up in South Africa: The Sin Tax Consequences of a Pandemic
In this article, the authors describe how the South African government has responded to the COVID‑19 crisis through fiscal measures, with a particular focus on the alcohol and tobacco prohibitions. Two severe and fairly unique measures implemented by the government were the prohibition of tobacco and the prohibition of alcohol (and related products). These two measures had an impact on the sin taxes received by the fiscus for the duration of the prohibitions but also had less obvious other short‑ and long‑term fiscal impacts, as well as various social, political and legal implications. This article reviews the tobacco and alcohol prohibitions, the responses by commentators and the short‑ and long‑term effects of these prohibitions on the fiscus and the economy, citing a particular need for a renewed focus on the excise duties on these two products.
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By:
Teresa Pidduck
OTHER
'Semantic Gyrations' - When are Naartjies oranges? Beneath the surface of ABSA Bank Limited v CSARS
This case note sets out the facts, issues, judgment — including submissions — and comments and analysis of the Absa case. The analysis of the case unearths a disjointedness between the legislature’s intention and the wording of certain administrative provisions, and criticises the ability of the administrative provisions contained in various tax Acts to work in concert with one another. A review of these administrative provisions by the legislature may be warranted in the light of this case. Furthermore, the judgment could also impact the interpretation and application of similar terms used in the reportable arrangement section of the TAA.The analysis also exposes some causes for concern regarding the interpretation of the GAAR that may undermine its ability to combat tax avoidance and suppress the mischief of taxpayers. Consequently, until possible appeal, this judgment may have far-reaching effects on the GAAR if the precedent set here is followed in other courts.
By:
Teresa Pidduck
OTHER
'Semantic Gyrations' - When are Naartjies oranges? Beneath the surface of ABSA Bank Limited v CSARS
This case note sets out the facts, issues, judgment — including submissions — and comments and analysis of the Absa case. The analysis of the case unearths a disjointedness between the legislature’s intention and the wording of certain administrative provisions, and criticises the ability of the administrative provisions contained in various tax Acts to work in concert with one another. A review of these administrative provisions by the legislature may be warranted in the light of this case. Furthermore, the judgment could also impact the interpretation and application of similar terms used in the reportable arrangement section of the TAA.The analysis also exposes some causes for concern regarding the interpretation of the GAAR that may undermine its ability to combat tax avoidance and suppress the mischief of taxpayers. Consequently, until possible appeal, this judgment may have far-reaching effects on the GAAR if the precedent set here is followed in other courts.
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By:
Teresa Pidduck
EDUCATION
MSU Scholar gives fresh insights on redesigning agricultural hand tools to Egerton University
The Faculty of Agriculture was honored to host Dr Susan Wyche from Michigan State University (MSU) for a one-week visit to Egerton University that ran from 1 to 8 March 2022. Dr. Susan held a public lecture for staff and held a 3-day training workshop on “Considering Human-Centered Design (HCD) in Development Research” to students from diverse backgrounds including in Computer science, Agronomy and Engineering disciplines at CMRT building, Njoro Main Campus. The students developed and designed 6 project prototypes which include: Innovative and Efficient Water harvesting and treatment for communities, Utilization of solar energy in drying and preservation of indigenous vegetables, Development of a drone for scaring Quelea qualea birds in rice irrigation schemes in Kenya, Queen bee rearing technology for increasing colonization of hives in drylands, Innovative technology for waste management in peri-urban areas to improve human health among others. Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Prof Bernard Aduda commented the students for excellent ideas which can be deployed to solve farmers and societal problems in Kenya and promised to support. He also thanked the organizers of the training, Prof Susan for supporting student projects with USD 1400 as seed money for the projects and MSU for strong collaboration with Egerton University in all areas including joint projects, staff exchange and postgraduate supervision and value chain and policy analysis with Tegemeo Institute of Egerton University.
Dr Wyche’s main objective through the public lecture and workshop was to give insights on solving real community problems using the human centered design (HCD) approach. She gave an example of her project ‘redesigning agricultural hand tools for small holder farmers in Western Kenya. Lecturers and scientists from Egerton also shared opportunities they can collaborate with MSU in agronomy, breeding and crop protection, agricultural mechanization, clean energy, agribusiness and ICT and computer applications and community development .
Before her workshop on 1 March, Dr Wyche paid a courtesy call to the Vice-Chancellor Prof Isaac Kibwage. She was accompanied by Prof. Patience Mshenga, Dean Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Paul Kimurto Director, Marketing and Resource Mobilization and Dr Miriam Charimbu, a researcher from the Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils. Dr Charimbu doing her postdoctoral research at MSU within the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) and is mentored by Dr Wyche and Prof. Kimurto. Prof. Alexander Kahi who is the focal person for AAP at Egerton University also hosted the team at CoELIB Centre.
Egerton University is part of the Alliance for African Partnership, a consortium of MSU, ten leading African universities, and a distinguished network for African research institutes. The AAP Consortium is currently composed of ten member institutions: Michigan State University and eleven African institutions. Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) (Malawi), Makerere University (Uganda); L’université des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines de Bamako (ULSHB) (Mali), United States International University (USIU) (Kenya); University of Botswana, University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); University of Pretoria, l’Université Cheikh Anta DIOP de Dakar (UCAD) (Senegal) and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Nigeria).
The vice chancellor and university management board wishes to than Prof Susan Wyche and MSU community for strong collaboration and supporting Egerton University staff and students in various engagements.
To read more: Michigan State University Visiting Scholar gives fresh insights on redesigning agricultural hand tools to Egerton University
By:
Raquel Acosta
No Preview Available
EDUCATION
MSU Scholar gives fresh insights on redesigning agricultural hand tools to Egerton University
The Faculty of Agriculture was honored to host Dr Susan Wyche from Michigan State University (MSU) for a one-week visit to Egerton University that ran from 1 to 8 March 2022. Dr. Susan held a public lecture for staff and held a 3-day training workshop on “Considering Human-Centered Design (HCD) in Development Research” to students from diverse backgrounds including in Computer science, Agronomy and Engineering disciplines at CMRT building, Njoro Main Campus. The students developed and designed 6 project prototypes which include: Innovative and Efficient Water harvesting and treatment for communities, Utilization of solar energy in drying and preservation of indigenous vegetables, Development of a drone for scaring Quelea qualea birds in rice irrigation schemes in Kenya, Queen bee rearing technology for increasing colonization of hives in drylands, Innovative technology for waste management in peri-urban areas to improve human health among others. Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Prof Bernard Aduda commented the students for excellent ideas which can be deployed to solve farmers and societal problems in Kenya and promised to support. He also thanked the organizers of the training, Prof Susan for supporting student projects with USD 1400 as seed money for the projects and MSU for strong collaboration with Egerton University in all areas including joint projects, staff exchange and postgraduate supervision and value chain and policy analysis with Tegemeo Institute of Egerton University.
Dr Wyche’s main objective through the public lecture and workshop was to give insights on solving real community problems using the human centered design (HCD) approach. She gave an example of her project ‘redesigning agricultural hand tools for small holder farmers in Western Kenya. Lecturers and scientists from Egerton also shared opportunities they can collaborate with MSU in agronomy, breeding and crop protection, agricultural mechanization, clean energy, agribusiness and ICT and computer applications and community development .
Before her workshop on 1 March, Dr Wyche paid a courtesy call to the Vice-Chancellor Prof Isaac Kibwage. She was accompanied by Prof. Patience Mshenga, Dean Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Paul Kimurto Director, Marketing and Resource Mobilization and Dr Miriam Charimbu, a researcher from the Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils. Dr Charimbu doing her postdoctoral research at MSU within the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) and is mentored by Dr Wyche and Prof. Kimurto. Prof. Alexander Kahi who is the focal person for AAP at Egerton University also hosted the team at CoELIB Centre.
Egerton University is part of the Alliance for African Partnership, a consortium of MSU, ten leading African universities, and a distinguished network for African research institutes. The AAP Consortium is currently composed of ten member institutions: Michigan State University and eleven African institutions. Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) (Malawi), Makerere University (Uganda); L’université des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines de Bamako (ULSHB) (Mali), United States International University (USIU) (Kenya); University of Botswana, University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); University of Pretoria, l’Université Cheikh Anta DIOP de Dakar (UCAD) (Senegal) and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Nigeria).
The vice chancellor and university management board wishes to than Prof Susan Wyche and MSU community for strong collaboration and supporting Egerton University staff and students in various engagements.
To read more: Michigan State University Visiting Scholar gives fresh insights on redesigning agricultural hand tools to Egerton University
Read more
By:
Raquel Acosta
No Preview Available
OTHER
Is Liberia Ready for Monetary Union? Exploring the Convergence Criteria for Eco Adoption
This is a policy brief document that I wrote along with my colleagues while working at the Liberian Ministry of Finance and Development and published in an online repository journal.
By:
Joe Greaves
OTHER
Is Liberia Ready for Monetary Union? Exploring the Convergence Criteria for Eco Adoption
This is a policy brief document that I wrote along with my colleagues while working at the Liberian Ministry of Finance and Development and published in an online repository journal.
Read more
By:
Joe Greaves
OTHER
Modeling with ARIMA-ARCH/GARCH Techniques to Estimate Weekly Exchange Rate of Liberia
This empirical research focused on a weekly exchange rate volatility modeling, where I studied the distribution of the series and recommended to Central Bank authority the behavior pattern of the financial variable.
By:
Joe Greaves
OTHER
Modeling with ARIMA-ARCH/GARCH Techniques to Estimate Weekly Exchange Rate of Liberia
This empirical research focused on a weekly exchange rate volatility modeling, where I studied the distribution of the series and recommended to Central Bank authority the behavior pattern of the financial variable.
Read more
By:
Joe Greaves
OTHER
Investigating Saving and Investment Relationship: Evidence from an ARDL Bounds Testing Approach
This is an empirical economics research article that was published.
By:
Joe Greaves
OTHER
Investigating Saving and Investment Relationship: Evidence from an ARDL Bounds Testing Approach
This is an empirical economics research article that was published.
By:
Joe Greaves
CULTURE AND SOCIETY
+1
Feminist Africa, Volume 2, Issue 2 (2021): Gender and Sexuality in African Futurism
The newest issue of Feminist Africa is now available! The theme of the issue is "Gender and Sexuality in African Futurism." You can access the full issue at Current Issue - Feminist Africa. Learn more about Feminist Africa here.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Editorial: Gender and Sexuality in African Futurism
· by Jacqueline-Bethel Tchouta Mougoué
Feature Articles
“How to Save the World from Aliens, Yet Keep Their Infrastructure”: Repurposing the “Master’s House” in The Wormwood Trilogy
· by Jenna N. Hanchey and Godfried Asante
When the Lagoons Remember: An Afroqueer Futurist Reading of “Blue Ecologies of Agitation”
· by Kwame Edwin Otu
“One Foot on the Other Side”: An Africanfuturist Reading of Irenosen Okojie’s Butterfly Fish (2015) and Akwaeke Emezi’s Freshwater (2018)
· by Kelsey Ann McFaul
Haunted Airports and Sexual Anxieties in Nana Nyarko Boateng’s “Swallowing Ice”
· by Delali Kumavie
Africanfuturism and the Reframing of Gender in the Fiction of Nnedi Okorafor
· by Arit Oku
Standpoint
The Liquid Space where African Feminism and African Futurism Meet
· by Minna Salami
Fiction
Land of My Dreams
· by Juliana Makuchi Nfah-Abbenyi
Exhibition
The Afrofuturist Village
· by Masiyaleti Mbewe
Reviews
“Liberation is Necessarily an Act of Culture”: A Review of Spirit Desire
· by Luam Kidane
Methodologies in Caribbean Research on Gender and Sexuality
· by Sylvia Tamale
Fashioning Postfeminism: Spectacular Femininity and Transnational Culture
· by Rosemary Oyinlola Popoola
By:
Raquel Acosta
No Preview Available
CULTURE AND SOCIETY
+1
Feminist Africa, Volume 2, Issue 2 (2021): Gender and Sexuality in African Futurism
The newest issue of Feminist Africa is now available! The theme of the issue is "Gender and Sexuality in African Futurism." You can access the full issue at Current Issue - Feminist Africa. Learn more about Feminist Africa here.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Editorial: Gender and Sexuality in African Futurism
· by Jacqueline-Bethel Tchouta Mougoué
Feature Articles
“How to Save the World from Aliens, Yet Keep Their Infrastructure”: Repurposing the “Master’s House” in The Wormwood Trilogy
· by Jenna N. Hanchey and Godfried Asante
When the Lagoons Remember: An Afroqueer Futurist Reading of “Blue Ecologies of Agitation”
· by Kwame Edwin Otu
“One Foot on the Other Side”: An Africanfuturist Reading of Irenosen Okojie’s Butterfly Fish (2015) and Akwaeke Emezi’s Freshwater (2018)
· by Kelsey Ann McFaul
Haunted Airports and Sexual Anxieties in Nana Nyarko Boateng’s “Swallowing Ice”
· by Delali Kumavie
Africanfuturism and the Reframing of Gender in the Fiction of Nnedi Okorafor
· by Arit Oku
Standpoint
The Liquid Space where African Feminism and African Futurism Meet
· by Minna Salami
Fiction
Land of My Dreams
· by Juliana Makuchi Nfah-Abbenyi
Exhibition
The Afrofuturist Village
· by Masiyaleti Mbewe
Reviews
“Liberation is Necessarily an Act of Culture”: A Review of Spirit Desire
· by Luam Kidane
Methodologies in Caribbean Research on Gender and Sexuality
· by Sylvia Tamale
Fashioning Postfeminism: Spectacular Femininity and Transnational Culture
· by Rosemary Oyinlola Popoola
Read more
By:
Raquel Acosta
No Preview Available
EDUCATION
Yar’adua Foundation Partners UNN To Open Sexual Harassment Portal
An innovation at UNN to address issues of sexual harassment and assault, making it easier for vicitims to report. This pilot could help other institutions to develop similar programs.
https://independent.ng/yaradua-foundation-partners-unn-to-open-sexual-harassment-portal/
By:
Amy Jamison
No Preview Available
EDUCATION
Yar’adua Foundation Partners UNN To Open Sexual Harassment Portal
An innovation at UNN to address issues of sexual harassment and assault, making it easier for vicitims to report. This pilot could help other institutions to develop similar programs.
https://independent.ng/yaradua-foundation-partners-unn-to-open-sexual-harassment-portal/
Read more
By:
Amy Jamison
No Preview Available
EDUCATION
AAP Post Dialogue Debrief - Dr. Pinkie Mekgwe
Our conversation with Dr. Pinkie Mekgwe that dives even further into some of the pressing topics discussed in our September dialogue on “The Engaged University: Working with Policy Makers, Private Sectors, and Communities”.
By:
Raquel Acosta
EDUCATION
AAP Post Dialogue Debrief - Dr. Pinkie Mekgwe
Our conversation with Dr. Pinkie Mekgwe that dives even further into some of the pressing topics discussed in our September dialogue on “The Engaged University: Working with Policy Makers, Private Sectors, and Communities”.
Read more
By:
Raquel Acosta
CULTURE AND SOCIETY
+1
AAP Members engage SADC Chief
Four members of the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) – the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), University of Pretoria (UP), University of Botswana (UB) and University of Dar re Salaam (UDSM) – have engaged the SADC secretariat for partnership in a number of areas of development for the region.
The delegation, which included LUANAR Vice Chancellor Prof. Emmanuel Kaunda, engaged the recently elected SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi to discuss collaboration.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi
The leaders sought the attention of SADC, in partnering with universities on research in seven areas including youth empowerment which is also the focus of SADC Chairperson, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera.
In his remarks, Professor Kaunda said LUANAR is a Center of Excellence in a number of areas including aquaculture and fisheries which is recognised by the World Bank and yet has no significant recognition from the regional bloc.
“We have seen a little bit of disjoin there on how these centers can support the regional SADC agenda. Already we are offering PhDs and Master to students from 19 countries,” he emphasised.
This was echoed by Professor Swanepoel who represented UP, touching on the importance of collaboration as being key to regional integration.
Further, the universities want to work with SADC in areas of Human Capital Development, Centers of Excellence and Specialization, Policy dialogues, Gender, Science and Technology, Trade and Regional Integration and Engagement and empowerment of civil society organizations and other non-state actors,
According to Prof. Mkandawire, AAP Africa Director, who hosted the meeting, this is the first time a group of VCs has dated SADC and hoped that “this move will improve the way SADC works with universities.”
“Universities are key in human capital development for Africa through education and training. In addition, universities play a key role in the generation of knowledge through research, policy analysis and other types of analytical work,” he said.
Accordingly, said Mkandawire, VCs from SADC universities have joined efforts to deepen conversations with a focus on how institutions of higher learning can better contribute towards the advancement of SADC’s development frameworks.
In his immediate response, SADC ES, Magosi, said the meeting and the VCs' asks are “a very encouraging starting point” between the universities and SADC secretariat.
He noted the importance of Centers of Excellence as an important aspect to advance collaboration at a regional level suggesting a need to identify the available to build on and start others to close available gaps with focus on specific specialisation.
Among other calls, the VCs pointed out the need to define mechanisms of engagement between SADC secretariat and institutions of Higher learning, Centers of Excellence, and research Institutes in the implementation of SADC’s Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP).
Further, VCs propose to engage with SADC on how expertise within the universities, Think Tanks and Centers of Excellence can be utilized to shed light on the impact of processes related to regional integration and the Africa Free Trade Agreement.
The leaders also want to work with SADC on a region wide program to develop the capacity of early career female researchers to initiate and manage research projects as well as communicate research to policy makers and broader audiences.
By:
Raquel Acosta
CULTURE AND SOCIETY
+1
AAP Members engage SADC Chief
Four members of the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) – the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), University of Pretoria (UP), University of Botswana (UB) and University of Dar re Salaam (UDSM) – have engaged the SADC secretariat for partnership in a number of areas of development for the region.
The delegation, which included LUANAR Vice Chancellor Prof. Emmanuel Kaunda, engaged the recently elected SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi to discuss collaboration.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi
The leaders sought the attention of SADC, in partnering with universities on research in seven areas including youth empowerment which is also the focus of SADC Chairperson, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera.
In his remarks, Professor Kaunda said LUANAR is a Center of Excellence in a number of areas including aquaculture and fisheries which is recognised by the World Bank and yet has no significant recognition from the regional bloc.
“We have seen a little bit of disjoin there on how these centers can support the regional SADC agenda. Already we are offering PhDs and Master to students from 19 countries,” he emphasised.
This was echoed by Professor Swanepoel who represented UP, touching on the importance of collaboration as being key to regional integration.
Further, the universities want to work with SADC in areas of Human Capital Development, Centers of Excellence and Specialization, Policy dialogues, Gender, Science and Technology, Trade and Regional Integration and Engagement and empowerment of civil society organizations and other non-state actors,
According to Prof. Mkandawire, AAP Africa Director, who hosted the meeting, this is the first time a group of VCs has dated SADC and hoped that “this move will improve the way SADC works with universities.”
“Universities are key in human capital development for Africa through education and training. In addition, universities play a key role in the generation of knowledge through research, policy analysis and other types of analytical work,” he said.
Accordingly, said Mkandawire, VCs from SADC universities have joined efforts to deepen conversations with a focus on how institutions of higher learning can better contribute towards the advancement of SADC’s development frameworks.
In his immediate response, SADC ES, Magosi, said the meeting and the VCs' asks are “a very encouraging starting point” between the universities and SADC secretariat.
He noted the importance of Centers of Excellence as an important aspect to advance collaboration at a regional level suggesting a need to identify the available to build on and start others to close available gaps with focus on specific specialisation.
Among other calls, the VCs pointed out the need to define mechanisms of engagement between SADC secretariat and institutions of Higher learning, Centers of Excellence, and research Institutes in the implementation of SADC’s Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP).
Further, VCs propose to engage with SADC on how expertise within the universities, Think Tanks and Centers of Excellence can be utilized to shed light on the impact of processes related to regional integration and the Africa Free Trade Agreement.
The leaders also want to work with SADC on a region wide program to develop the capacity of early career female researchers to initiate and manage research projects as well as communicate research to policy makers and broader audiences.
Read more
By:
Raquel Acosta
No Preview Available
