Time for universities to come down to earth
Jun 07, 2011
WITH dwindling state funding, the role of the heads of public higher institutions of learning now goes far beyond just providing academic leadership.
By John Eremu in South Africa
WITH dwindling state funding, the role of the heads of public higher institutions of learning now goes far beyond just providing academic leadership.
This was at least what heads of higher institutions of learning agreed on during the Conference of Rectors, Vice Chancellors and University Presidents (COREVIP) in Stellenbosch, South Africa last week.
While most public universities in Africa blame their woes on inadequate state funding, Stellenbosch University has demonstrated how innovative programmes viewed as relevant to the communities can win universities funding from the private sector and other philanthropists.
“Africa has many challenges but also bursting with potential,†said Prof. Russel Botman, the Stellenbosch University Vice Chancellor who is leading a five-year R1.75b (sh560b) resource mobilisation campaign to support the university programmes.
“Universities have a greater role to play in social advancement. We only need to be relevant to our problems, especially the problems afflicting our communities,†Botman told the over 150 heads of higher institutions of learning at the Spier conference centre.
The conference on the theme: Strengthening the Space for Higher Education, was organised by the Association of African Universities (AAU) and hosted by Stellenbosch University. Among the issues discussed included the role of ICT in higher education, regional centres of excellence with focus on the creation of Pan African University, the Pan African Institute of Governance in higher education and promoting open and distance learning through the creation of open universities.
Botman said through the Hope project, the university has embarked on an ambitious multi-disciplinary programme aimed at large scale transformation of society.
The programme focuses on five thematic areas distilled from the national and international development agenda–promotion of human dignity and health, democracy and human rights, peace and security and a sustainable environment and competitive industry.
According to Prof. Botman, the thematic areas have become an integral part of the university core roles of teaching, research and community service. For instance, the university has legal aid clinic to assist farm workers against illegal evictions, it has developed a simple water purification system for the communities, is researching on array of other simple technologies to solve community needs.
But the university had to lead by example, Botman said. “I knew before we could ask for resources from elsewhere, we had to find our own money. So R320m (sh102b) was reallocated from our budget for the project.â€
The strategy has already paid off since it was launched in July last year. Over R500m (sh160b) has already been raised from businesses, philanthropic institutions and alumni.
Botman said the success of the campaign was mainly a result of commitment from the top, honesty and because they were offering solutions to local problems.
“People look for honesty,†Botman said. “People do not want to deal with those who have problems. They want to deal with those offering solutions. If you ask for a donation, they will take you differently. But they are likely to respond if you ask for an investment. They are even more interested if you are investing in the future,†he said.
WITH dwindling state funding, the role of the heads of public higher institutions of learning now goes far beyond just providing academic leadership.
This was at least what heads of higher institutions of learning agreed on during the Conference of Rectors, Vice Chancellors and University Presidents (COREVIP) in Stellenbosch, South Africa last week.
While most public universities in Africa blame their woes on inadequate state funding, Stellenbosch University has demonstrated how innovative programmes viewed as relevant to the communities can win universities funding from the private sector and other philanthropists.
“Africa has many challenges but also bursting with potential,†said Prof. Russel Botman, the Stellenbosch University Vice Chancellor who is leading a five-year R1.75b (sh560b) resource mobilisation campaign to support the university programmes.
“Universities have a greater role to play in social advancement. We only need to be relevant to our problems, especially the problems afflicting our communities,†Botman told the over 150 heads of higher institutions of learning at the Spier conference centre.
The conference on the theme: Strengthening the Space for Higher Education, was organised by the Association of African Universities (AAU) and hosted by Stellenbosch University. Among the issues discussed included the role of ICT in higher education, regional centres of excellence with focus on the creation of Pan African University, the Pan African Institute of Governance in higher education and promoting open and distance learning through the creation of open universities.
Botman said through the Hope project, the university has embarked on an ambitious multi-disciplinary programme aimed at large scale transformation of society.
The programme focuses on five thematic areas distilled from the national and international development agenda–promotion of human dignity and health, democracy and human rights, peace and security and a sustainable environment and competitive industry.
According to Prof. Botman, the thematic areas have become an integral part of the university core roles of teaching, research and community service. For instance, the university has legal aid clinic to assist farm workers against illegal evictions, it has developed a simple water purification system for the communities, is researching on array of other simple technologies to solve community needs.
But the university had to lead by example, Botman said. “I knew before we could ask for resources from elsewhere, we had to find our own money. So R320m (sh102b) was reallocated from our budget for the project.â€
The strategy has already paid off since it was launched in July last year. Over R500m (sh160b) has already been raised from businesses, philanthropic institutions and alumni.
Botman said the success of the campaign was mainly a result of commitment from the top, honesty and because they were offering solutions to local problems.
“People look for honesty,†Botman said. “People do not want to deal with those who have problems. They want to deal with those offering solutions. If you ask for a donation, they will take you differently. But they are likely to respond if you ask for an investment. They are even more interested if you are investing in the future,†he said.