Research Reports

A report by The British Council which considers the models commonly used by FE colleges for international partnerships and the critical success factors relating to each. A number of college Principals and International Directors were interviewed and contains a range of case studies which may provide a useful source of reference for college staff involved in designing international partnerships activity of all kinds

A useful overview paper of US-Africa higher education partnerships developed as part of USAID's Higher Education for Development (HED) programme. It brings together analyses of several impact and evaluation studies, and summarises lessons learned

An analysis of HED/USAID partnerships. The assessments identified contributions to national development goals, skills retention, and benefits to US institutions (e.g. increased knowledge). For donors the study draws attention to the cost-effectiveness of the partnerships, their success in generating additional funding and opportunities for sharing knowledge about education systems and research findings. The list of 'lessons learned', may be helpful as a guide to similar HE links

The second in a four volume OECD series reviewing developing higher education trends. It considers the impact of globalisation on the structures, practice and management of higher education. Although its regionally-based analyses do not focus on Africa, the study of competition and collaboration would apply to developing international HE partnerships wherever. Executive summary provided, for a full copy please visit http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/display.asp?sf1=identifiers&st1=9789264075375

A study of national tertiary education legislation, and the statutes of some public universities, as a basis for reviewing current governance arrangements in Africa. It considers the levels of governance, autonomy and accountability which exist, the current relevance of existing structures, but also their potential as the sector becomes more competitive. From a wider perspective the paper implies the different structures and pressures, within which African higher education operates

The focus of this study has been to establish a situational analysis of higher education, national governments, and international aid agencies, in relation to the socio-economic development so sorely needed in the SADC region. Is closely linked to the study Towards A Common Future also available to access here

Another important report from the Southern African Regional Universities Association which has identified key constraints in access to knowledge in universities in the SADC (Southern African Development Community) Region and builds on the findings from other SARUA studies

This report presents the research findings of four African universities which focus on policy and reform, pedagogy, training of teachers, and academic research. The report puts forward recommendations for innovating educational programmes through reform which “must aim to improving the results and impact of educations systems on the harmonious fulfilment of individuals as well as on the development of communities”

This report by SARUA aims to "set the background for engagement" around regional integration rather than provide definitive answers or proposals. Issues considered range from contested approaches to regional integration to the need for a new conceptualisation of universities in Africa, the role of regional economic communities as building blocks of regionalism, and the formation of regional innovation systems.

This report discusses the role of partnerships in strengthening research capacity in African universities, and urges for a greater recognition that more social sciences and humanities research is needed to develop, 'African solutions to African problems'

An analysis of South Africa's education system over the past 5 years - how it is funded and staffed, the relative roles of teaching/learning and research, and the sector's contribution to national policy goals. It offers a context for assessing the development of the country's universities

This is the first part of this publication, which contains for the first time, significant information about the profile and state of higher education in Southern Africa and provides pointers to areas that require support for its future development. Chapters 1-5 are listed separately below

This is a review of HE partnerships between the UK and the US. The US is the UK’s most significant partner in HE, and their co-operative links are
well-established. The report recommends support for new networks of institutions, and a stronger HE and research profile for the UK. Partnerships involving third countries are also briefly acknowledged, with interest expressed by US institutions to learn of UK experiences in working with developing countries particularly some in Africa and Asia

This report presents the findings of a project which analysed the wide variety of international links and collaborative arrangements that UK universities have developed with overseas partners, in terms of teaching, research and knowledge transfer. The report also discusses the challenges that universities face in creating international partnerships

A collection of papers on the developing role of universities of technology (formerly technikons) in South Africa, and some issues they currently face: technology transfer, work-integrated study, regulation, and research development. It notes that the only way to fast-track their progress was to form partnerships; some examples of leading universities of technology elsewhere, and their international networks, are also given