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Articles on South African universities

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A statue of colonialist and mining boss Cecil Rhodes is removed from the University of Cape Town. How can we best measure how higher education is being transformed? Reuters/Mike Hutchings

Here’s how to measure – and deepen – change in South Africa’s universities

Universities need to change to become more equitable learning spaces. But what’s the best way to measure their transformation, identify gaps and emphasise successes?
Somali university students celebrate their graduation. Universities that fare well on national measures may be ignored by international ranking systems. Feisal Omar/Reuters

Ranking African universities is a futile endeavour

The news that African universities will soon be ranked has generated a great deal of hype. But the initiative seems likely to be doomed from the start.
A protester outside the US Supreme Court of Appeal objects to gay marriage. An incident at a Cape Town university has raised issues of religious freedom. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

In free speech debates, consider Christianity’s history of liberalism

The furore around freedom of sexual orientation vs religious freedom at a South African university should lead to deeper thinking about Christianity’s historical role in promoting liberalism.
Many of South Africa’s primary and secondary schools are dysfunctional. But should universities use this as an excuse to turn all applicants from these schools away? REUTERS/Ryan Gray

Moving beyond the educational blame game in South Africa

Data from the National Benchmark Test can be used by universities to support students who lag behind in academic literacy.
A student protests against colonial-era statues at the University of Cape Town. Changing the curriculum structure is another way to decolonise South Africa’s universities. Mike Hutchings/Reuters

Decolonise more than just curriculum content – change the structure, too

It’s not just the content of South Africa’s university curricula that needs to be re-examined. The country’s degree structure should be reconsidered, too.
Young academics need a strong, properly structured support system to climb the ranks and one day become professors. From www.shutterstock.com

Professors aren’t born: they must be nurtured

There are compelling educational reasons to employ more black academics in universities and to give them all the support they’ll need to become professors.
Universities need to take a long, hard look at themselves - and listen to their students - to tackle issues of failure and attrition. Mike Hutchings/Reuters

Universities can’t just wash their hands of student failure

Universities largely fail to acknowledge the way their modes of teaching and learning are culturally, socially and politically embedded. Can this be fixed?

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