Africa Needs Research Universities

1. Africa Needs Research Universities Nico Cloete and Peter Maassen Stockholm 10 December 2013

2. Structure of Presentation Review of Development Aid (2007): Sweden Argument for research universities State of knowledge production in 8 (flagship) research universities Possible responses

3. Crossing the Divide? • The Governance of Development Cooperation • in the area of Higher Education and Research • Nico Cloete/Peter Maassen • NIFU STEP Seminar • Oslo, 29 March, 2006

4. 1. Rationale • Why growing interest in role of HE/University • in development cooperation? • G8 summit in Gleneagles; World Bank; ‘Experts (Sachs): • HE/University and Knowledge Economy • University central institution in national development

5. Sweden • Overall: One of few bilateral donors that support • the development of local research capacity • a/b. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) responsible for development policy; Swedish public budget for development aid (Sek 12.4 billion/2004) is channelled mainly (63%) through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Sida has separate Department for Research Cooperation (SAREC).

6. Sweden • e. Funding: • Sweden is one of the largest bilateral donors in the • area of higher education and research development • cooperation. Sida ranked second in the world with • regard to institutionally-focused funding, i.e. projects • involving directly (local) HEIs. In 2003 Sida’s total • budget for thematic research Sek 464 million • (>US$65 million)

7. Sweden • f. Nature of development and cooperation policy: • Sweden’s focus on local capacity building is rather • unique. • Sweden’s new development strategy emphasizes the • contribution to poor peoples’ own efforts to improve • their quality of life. • Higher education and research are seen as important • tools for creating these opportunities.

8. Africa Needs Strong Universities • The importance of knowledge and higher education for sustainable development is global, even though there are contextual and regional differences • The sustainable, long-term beneficial contribution of knowledge to development is indirect, not direct • It is the knowledge re-generative capacity of universities that underlies sustainable development • Traditional role: Training professionals (National) - community service (Development Aid) • 5. Africa needs to shift to increased participation (from low base of under 10% ) and increased knowledge production • 6. This will require Differentiation

9. Africa Needs Research Universities (1) Altbach: The role of research universities in developing countries. Studies in Higher Education, 2013. Research universities in low- and middle-income countries have crucial roles to play in developing differentiated and effective academic systems, and in making it possible for their countries to join the global knowledge society and compete in sophisticated knowledge economies A research university is not an ivory tower and is relevant to the wider community; much of its research is carried out in collaboration, with funding and sponsorship from non-university sources.

10. Africa Needs Research Universities (2) Altbach (2013) 3. Research universities are committed to the creation and dissemination of knowledge, in a range of disciplines and fields, and featuring the appropriate laboratories, libraries, and other infrastructures that permit teaching and research at the highest possible level 4. Understanding the characteristics of the research university and building the infrastructures and the intellectual environment needed for successful research universities is a top priority

11. Higher Education Research and Advocacy Network in Africa (HERANA) Network about 50 participants 12 countries in 5th year Three successful (OECD) systems that link higher education and development: • Finland (Europe), South Korea (Asia), North Carolina (US) Africa • Botswana – University of Botswana • Ghana – University of Ghana • Kenya – University of Nairobi • Mauritius – University of Mauritius • Mozambique – Eduardo Mondlane • South Africa – UCT • Tanzania – University of Dar es Salaam • Uganda – Makerere University

12. Figure 1: High-level inputs

13. Figure 2: Ratios of high-level knowledge outputs to academic staff with doctorates

14. Figure 3: Ratios of high-level knowledge outputs to professors and associate professors

15. Figure 4: Undergraduates as % of total enrolments 2011

16. Figure 5: Ratios of masters to doctorate enrolments 2011

17. Figure 6: Doctoral enrolments at 8 sub-Saharan African universities 2001, 2007, 2011

18. Figure 7: Doctoral graduates at 8 sub-Saharan African universities2001, 2007, 2011

19. Figure 8: Percentage of academic staff with PhDs 2011

20. Figure 9: Peer reviewed publications 2001, 2007, 2011

21. Implications (1) Learn from how Nordic and other OECD strengthen the research and innovation of their own universities Reconsider having a different policy approach/model for African universities than for own own Knowledge is a core public good and African universities need to be integrated into global networks Positioning them in development cooperation programmes keeps them isolated from global knowledge networks There is an overemphasis on individual scholarships and projects, and not enough on system and institutional strengthening

22. Implications (2) In Africa already differentiation But the flagship universities is not strong enough to participate in global networks Altbach and Balan(2007) World Class World Wide (2007). Africa not included in their review because “we believe Africa’s academic challenges are sufficiently different from Latin America and Asia that comparison would not be appropriate” – meaning that they cant talk about world class in Africa

23. Implications (3) Institutions got to develop a vision of what it means to be a research university in their national context Competition based on capacity and performance But the flagship universities is not strong enough to participate in global networks Don’t strengthen institutional conditions for research without strengthening national research conditions

24. Implications (4) Condition for effective investment in the knowledge institution is research informed knowledge on the knowledge institution Greater emphasis on institutional reforms being research (evidence) informed rather than by inspirational Goal and Vision statements Stimulate knowledge production – doctorates and research output plus connecting research to national development agendas Research funding and support must be based on competition and performance, not political correctness

25. Strengthening research activities/functions Horizon 20/20 Three pillars – excellence, grand challenges, and strengthening innovation Rethink rationale and methodology for investment Concentration of research –themes/groups Develop researchers – staff with doctorates, support junior academics Publication skills – methodology, writing Incentives and rewards – direct and indirect

26. General observations Strong case for research management Strong indications of following international trend of mimetic normative isomorphism Expanding the professional class without proper assessment of institutional context Need to bring research into the research management – copying ‘best practice’ stories is not enough While promoting managerialism, confused methodology about measuring ‘success’ of the research office

27. Nico Cloete ncloete@chet.org.za www.chet.org.za Data: Ian Bunting & Charles Sheppard Graphs: François van Schalkwyk