Indigenising the University Curriculum in Southern Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 243-254
Author(s):  
Soul Shava ◽  
Nkopodi Nkopodi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Teaching Activities ◽  
Indigenous Epistemologies ◽  
Political Independence ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Independent States ◽  
The University

The academic landscape in higher education institutions (universities) in southern Africa (countries in SADC)) remains highly influenced by western epistemologies. This is despite the fact that these academic institutions are situated in independent states. The research and teaching activities in universities are entrenched within western theories and knowledge disciplines that are presented as neutral, universal and singular. The implication is that while we celebrate political independence we are still entrapped in continuing coloniality. This points to a need for reframing the curriculum to prioritise the interests of Africans. This chapter explores possible factors that contribute to the continued alienation of indigenous knowledges in southern African universities. It argues that in order to achieve the indigenisation of universities in Africa there is a need for a decolonial process to subvert and decentre western epistemologies by offering African Indigenous epistemologies and African-centred standpoints as alternatives in research and teaching processes in the academy.

Indigenising the University Curriculum in Southern Africa

2017 ◽  
pp. 80-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soul Shava ◽  
Nkopodi Nkopodi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Teaching Activities ◽  
Indigenous Epistemologies ◽  
Political Independence ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Independent States ◽  
The University

The academic landscape in higher education institutions (universities) in southern Africa (countries in SADC)) remains highly influenced by western epistemologies. This is despite the fact that these academic institutions are situated in independent states. The research and teaching activities in universities are entrenched within western theories and knowledge disciplines that are presented as neutral, universal and singular. The implication is that while we celebrate political independence we are still entrapped in continuing coloniality. This points to a need for reframing the curriculum to prioritise the interests of Africans. This chapter explores possible factors that contribute to the continued alienation of indigenous knowledges in southern African universities. It argues that in order to achieve the indigenisation of universities in Africa there is a need for a decolonial process to subvert and decentre western epistemologies by offering African Indigenous epistemologies and African-centred standpoints as alternatives in research and teaching processes in the academy.

scholarly journals Decolonising the university curriculum or decolonial-washing? A multiple case study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley le Grange ◽  
Petro du Preez ◽  
Labby Ramrathan ◽  
Sylvan Blignaut
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Political Symbolism ◽  
Common Strategy ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The University

In this article, we report on four case studies of how higher education institutions have grappled with the demands of decolonisation of their curricula. In some respects, the cases differ in form and content, and the unique responses to decolonisation of each institution are described and analysed. An important similarity among the institutions was the use of extensive public lectures, seminars, and workshops as a common strategy to deal with the calls for the decolonising of curricula. The inquiry is motivated by our concern that some institutions, in an effort to comply, might resort to instrumentalist and quick-fix solutions to decolonise curricula, which result in decolonial-washing rather than substantive change. We discuss the following themes based on the data and literature: decolonial-washing; decolonising of curricula as a national project; political symbolism; and the need for complicated conversations. We also reflect on the methodology used in this study.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the activity of scientific and pedagogical staff: domestic experience and vectors of development under the university autonomy

2021 ◽  
pp. 132-143
Author(s):  
Olga Yaroshenko
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Normative Documents ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
The University

The article reveals the evaluation of the activities carried out by scientific and pedagogical staff in domestic higher education institutions from a process point of view and the standpoint of the result. The main types of assessment used in higher education institutions are described. The results obtained during the analysis of scientific publications, normative documents and questionnaires of teachers and managers confirmed the massive rating of the activities of scientific and pedagogical workers, its superiority among other types of assessment. According to the materials available in the open Internet access, a comparative analysis of the rating policy of 20 higher education institutions, located in different regions of Ukraine, was carried out. It was found that in each university the determinant of the rating policy is Development Strategy, according to which the evaluation of research and teaching staff is positioned as an important procedure for internal quality assurance of higher education and a factor in stimulating professional development of teachers. Based on a comparative analysis of the regulatory framework, criteria, indicators and evaluation procedures inherent in different institutions of higher education, common features and characteristics of rating evaluation of research and teaching staff. The personal and institutional dimensions of the significance of various evaluation of the activity of scientific and pedagogical workers are revealed. Emphasis is placed on modern indicators and problematic evaluation issues identified in the process of studying domestic practices. Insufficient use of information collected through rating assessment for prognostic purposes is emphasized. The tendency of updating criteria and indicators of a rating estimation of activities carried out by scientific and pedagogical workers of universities is established. An objective relationship between the establishment of coefficients for the rating of the main types of professional activities of research and teaching staff (educational, scientific, methodological, organizational and educational) and the priority of the holding activities for the university at the time of the rating.

Understanding Notions of Enterprise in the Higher Education Sector

2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Hartshorn
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Policy Agenda ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Form Part ◽  
The University

Findings from research undertaken in universities in the North East of England as part of the Science Enterprise Challenge initiative demonstrate the wide-ranging conceptualizations of ‘enterprise’ and ‘entrepreneurship’ held by academics from a broad spread of disciplines. These include conceptions of enterprise as certain skills, behaviours and attitudes, and as the establishment of a business venture. Subsequent ‘enterprise offerings’ within the university curriculum are informed and influenced by the subjective and different definitions of enterprise given by the research respondents. This paper suggests how these diverse definitions and conceptualizations may be accommodated by higher education institutions, and thus form part of the national policy agenda of creating an enterprising society.

The Indian University in a Comparative Perspective

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.R. Madhava Menon
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Comparative Perspective ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
University System ◽  
Current State ◽  
The World ◽  
The University

The purpose of looking at Indian universities in a comparative perspective is obviously to locate it among higher education institutions across the world and to identify its strengths and weaknesses in the advancement of learning and research. In doing so, one can discern the directions for reform in order to put the university system in a competitive advantage for an emerging knowledge society. This chapter looks at the current state of universities in India and highlights the initiatives under way for change and proposes required policy changes.

ORGANIZATION OF INTERUNIVERSITY COOPERATION AS ONE OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF UNIVERSITY

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 50-60
Author(s):  
SVETLANA KOBACHEVSKAYA
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Bologna Process ◽  
State Pedagogical ◽  
Current Article ◽  
International Activities ◽  
The University ◽  
The Bologna Process

In the current article, the viewpoints of the Belarusian and foreign scientists and experts on the organization of international cooperation in Higher Education Institutions within the Bologna process are analyzed, the directions of organization of interuniversity cooperation of the university are considered, the experience of Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after Maxim Tank in this direction and the objectives of interuniversity development are defined.

Quality assurance systems: enemies or allies of innovation in higher education institutions?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Ferreira de Mello Silva ◽  
Eduardo Raupp de Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
University Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Innovation In Higher Education

Purpose This study aims to examine the extant literature to analyze the relationship between quality assurance (QA) and innovation in the higher education context. Design/methodology/approach This study selected 63 articles through a systematic literature review in Scopus and Web of Science databases and performed a descriptive and thematic synthesis-analysis on the sample. Findings The research identifies several perspectives discussed on QA systems covering experiences, criticisms and practice implications. The literature review shows there is no clear consensus on whether innovation in higher education institutions (HEIs) is fostered or hindered by QA processes. However, it seems that the likelihood of innovativeness and positive QA outcomes are directly linked to how these processes are managed in universities. Research limitations/implications This review highlights the university management concerns that emerge with QA issues as it is not yet clear to what extent innovation is actually promoted in scenarios where QA is applied. Hence, this literature review could be considered comprehensive but not exhaustive. Further studies are recommended to improve the understanding of how HEIs can both innovate and ensure quality at the same time. Originality/value The paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by advancing the opportunities and challenges that HEIs face due to QA system features.

scholarly journals Implications of Excellence in Research and Teaching

2015 ◽  
pp. 13-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Wespel ◽  
Dominic Orr ◽  
Michael Jaeger
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
Teaching Performance ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
Funding Mechanisms

Stratification of higher education is currently being driven by public funding schemes, among other things. Building on a survey of excellence funding initiatives across OECD member countries based on the measurement of excellence in higher education institutions, this contribution focuses on how teaching and learning are integrated into these highly selective funding mechanisms. It turns out that teaching performance is generally much less significant than research. Possible reasons and consequences for this result are discussed.

scholarly journals Business Analytics untuk Perguruan Tinggi: Studi Kasus Atas Pembukaan Program Studi Baru di UHAMKA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuryadi Wijiharjono
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Program Analysis ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Degree Program ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Business Analytics ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
The University

This title of article is Business Analytics for Higher Education Institutions. By taking a case study at the Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. Hamka (UHAMKA), this article aims to analyze and provide recommendations for the plan to establish a new academic of undergraduate degree program. Analysis of the institutional and technical environment that affects the legitimacy and sustainability of the university. This study uses the SWOT analysis method in the perspective of Business Analytics, where data availability plays a key role.

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