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Articles on Role of Universities

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Pandemic widens gap between government and Australians’ view of education

The way in which Australians think about leadership in the education sector has changed throughout the pandemic. It’s seen as a public good, with ethics and accountability gaining in importance.
Universities Australia chair Deborah Terry’s job description includes openly lobbying government, an approach that has its origins in the sector’s post-war financial crisis. Mick Tsikas/AAP

Universities in crisis? They’ve been there before, and found a way out

A post-war funding crisis forced universities to take the initiative in making their case to the public. A new history explores how universities did it and the changes they brought about.
The decolonisation of South Africa’s university curriculum seems to have fallen off the agenda, overtaken by the push for free higher education. Shutterstock

Decolonisation debate is a chance to rethink the role of universities

The decolonisation debate in South Africa’s universities raises critical issues about the relationship between power, knowledge and learning.
Students want colonial symbols, such as this statue of Cecil John Rhodes, gone from their universities. EPA/Nic Bothma

Decolonising universities isn’t an easy process – but it has to happen

Calls for the decolonisation of countries, institutions, the mind and of knowledge are not new. In South Africa, these changes are crucial and long overdue. But they must be carefully thought through.
Africa’s flagship universities have a great deal to offer as the continent continues to grow and develop. Shutterstock

The untold story of how Africa’s flagship universities have advanced

When talking about the role that higher education can play in developing Africa, it’s important not to forget the continuing and crucial role of the continent’s flagship universities.
Yes, universities need to produce good scientists - but their graduates should be good citizens, too. Shutterstock

Why the time is right to create a new generation of ‘citizen scholars’

University protests in South Africa have showed that the countries students are hungry for real change. This desire can be harnessed to create a generation of “citizen scholars”.
Xenophobia is a huge problem in South Africa. Could better university teaching about Africa make a difference? Reuters

Teaching students about Africa may be one way to stem xenophobia

South African university students are as guilty of xenophobia as anyone else. Three approaches through teaching and research could make a huge difference.
‘Beginning and Ending’, a sculpture by David Hlongwane, stands at the entrance to the University of the Western Cape. University of the Western Cape media office

There’s a new mood of determination in Africa’s universities

More and more African universities are realigning themselves to tackle their countries’ societal and economic problems.

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