Conference on the Role of Private Universities in Higher Education in Africa

Babcock University, a Seventh-day adventist university officially inaugurated in 1999, was recently ranked by Webometrics, a world acclaimed university ranking organization, as the foremost Nigerian private university.

7 Aug 2012 10:19 Africa/Lagos


Conference on the Role of Private Universities in Higher Education in Africa

ADDIS ABABA, August 7, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA


When: Wednesday, 08 - Friday, 10 August 2012 9:00am daily

Where: African Union Commission Old Building Conference Complex, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.


Who: Jointly organized by African Union Commission (AUC), The Association of African Universities (AAU), and St. Mary's University College (SMUC).


Objectives:

The conference is being organized to achieve the following objectives:


• Assessing the impact of private higher education provision on the revitalization of higher education in Africa;

• Determining pedagogical reforms that would contribute to the core functions of teaching, learning and research in private universities;

• Exploring areas for effecti9ve collaboration in research between public and private universities in Africa;

• Reviewing the impact of globalization on the ‘true' values in higher education in Africa with particular emphasis on the ‘commodification' of higher education as a tradable good under the General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATs); and

• Making recommendations for the maintenance of the maximum social benefit to be derived from the persuit of higher education.


Expected outcomes:


The conference is expected to produce the following outcomes:

• Commissioned papers and policy briefs as advocacy tools on quality assurance and accreditation issues in private universities;

• Facilitate collaboration and building of synergies between public and private universities in Africa;

• Contribute to strategic planning and pedagogical reforms towards the pursuit of the three core functions of teaching, learning and community service in private universities; and

• Provide an enhanced platform for networking amongst private universities in Africa.

Participants:

The participants expected at the conference will include vice- chancellors, rectors, presidents, and principal of public and private higher education institutions, as well as researchers, scholars; policy makers, development partners and other stakeholders.


Background: This Conference is being organized as the 10th in the series of consultative annual conference on private higher education provision organized by St. Mary's University College (SMUC) to promote dialogue and better understanding of their roles in the society. This year, SMUC is partnering with the Association of African Universities (AAU), which is the apex higher education body in Africa, to broaden the scope and theme beyond the Ethiopian experience, as had been in the past.


The Association of African Universities (AAU) is an international non-governmental organisation set up in November 1967 by universities in Africa to promote cooperation among themselves and between them and the international academic community. It has a current membership of 270 institutions comprising universities and other higher education institutions drawn from all parts of the continent. Its headquarters is in Accra, Ghana, and it officially operates in three working languages, English, French and Arabic. The AAU has over the years become the major actor and coordinator of activities for African higher education, including the implementation of regional programmes in research, leadership development, ICT capacity building, academic staff exchange, student fellowships, management and dissemination of scholarly information, gender, HIV/AIDS and quality assurance.


Journalists are invited to cover the Conference on the Role of Private Universities in Higher Education in Africa from Wednesday, 08 to Friday, 10 August 2012.

Attached the program of event:

Tuesday, 7th August 2012

16.00 – 18.00 Arrival/ Registration

Wednesday, 8th August 2012

08.30 – 09.00 Arrival/ Registration Continued

09.00 – 09.10 Opening Remarks by Organisers/Introduction of Participants

09.10 – 09.20 Introduction of Chairman, Keynote Speakers & Guests of Honour

09.20 – 09.30 Chairman's Opening Remarks

09.30 – 09.50 Short Addresses by (i) AAU Secretary General; (ii) VC of St. Mary's University College; (iii) VC of Covenant University

09:50 – 10:00 Message from AUC Commissioner His Excellency Jean-Pierre O. Ezin

10.00 – 10.15 Welcome Address by H.E. Ato Demeke Mekonnen, Minister, Ethiopian Ministry of Education

10.15 – 10.30 Keynote Address on the theme: The Role of Private Universities in Higher Education in Africa Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Nigeria/Former AAU Secretary General

10.30 – 11.00 Group Photograph/Health Break

11.00 – 12.00

Chair: Dr Teshome Yizengaw, Africa Program Officer, Higher Education Development

Rapporteur: Ato Samson Tilahun, SMUC, Ethiopia


Plenary Presentation on the subtheme Public-Private Partnership in Higher Education in Africa Dr. Rajendar Dhoj Joshi


Plenary Presentation on African Union Commission's Programs on Higher Education AUC Representative


12:00 – 12:30 Discussion

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch Break

13.30 – 15.10 Parallel Sessions


Panel 1: Public-Private Partnership in Higher Education in Africa


Chair: Professor Belay Kassa

Rapporteur: W/t Selamawit Negasi, SMUC, Ethiopia


13:30-13:50. Financing University Education through Public-Private Partnership at Midlands State University in Zimbabwe. Jephias Matunhu, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe


13:50-14:10. Financing Higher Education in Kenya: Public-Private Partnership Approach Calleb Gudo (PhD), KCA, Kenya


14:10-14:30. Public-Private Partnerships for Research in Private Universities in Uganda. Kukunda Elizabeth Bacwayo (PhD), Uganda Christian University


14:30-14:50. Deregulation, Private-Public Partnerships, and Private Universities in Nigeria Prof. Anthony Osagie, Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria


14:50-15:10. Discussion


Panel 2: Private Higher Education Provision in Africa: Strategies for Success and Opportunities


Chair: Mr Tedla Haile

Rapporteur: Ato Goitom Abrha, SGS, SMUC


13:30-13:50. Study Conditions at a Private University in Tanzania: A Perspective on Students' Experiences Bernadette Müller (PhD) and Max Haller University of Graz, Austria


13:50-14:10. Distance Education as a Tool for Development: The prospect of private distance education in Ethiopia Taye Mohammed and Tesfaye Teshome (Associate Professor), HERQA


14:10-14:30. Private Higher Education in Africa is a better alternative: The Case of Monash University, South Africa Geoffery Sestswe (Professor), Monash University, South Africa


14:30-14:50 21st Century Private Higher Education in Africa: Improving the quality of Curriculum Development with Financial Intelligence Samuel Faboyede

Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria


14:50-15:10. Discussion


15.10-15.30 Health Break


15.20-16.50


Parallel Sessions


Panel 1: Private Higher Education at the Crossroads: Strategic Planning and the Pursuit of the Public Good


Chair: Dr. Kebede Kassa

Rapporteur: Dr. Eyilachew Zewdie, SGS, SMUC


15:30-15:50. Private Universities, Endogenous Knowledge Regime and Problem Solving Scholarship in Africa: A Polycentric Planning Perspective. S., R. Akinola (PhD), Covenant University, Nigeria


15:50-16:10. Private Higher Education Institutions in Ethiopia: Opportunities, Challenges, and Ways Forward. Kassahun Kebede and Tesfaye Teshome (Associate Professor), HERQA, Ethiopia


16:10-16:30. Higher Education in Africa and the Role of Private Universities: A Focus on Nigeria. Iruonagbe, Tunde Charles (PhD), Covenant University, Nigeria


16:30-16:50. Discussion


Panel 2: Private Higher Education Provision in Africa: Strategies for Success and Opportunities


Chair: Prof. Daniel Aina, VC Adeleke University, Nigeria

Rapporteur: Dr. Nigussie, SGS, SMUC


15:30-15:50. Performance of the Higher Education Sub-Sector in Ethiopia. Fitsum Zewdu, Ethiopian Economic Association, Ethiopian Economic Policy Research Institute, Ethiopia


15:50-16:10. Bridging the Gap in Education: The Role and Impact of Privately owned Learning Institutions in Zambia. Velenasi Mwale Munsanje, M., Evelyn Hone College, Zambia


16:10-16:30. Students' Expectations and Attitude towards Foreign-supplied Post-Graduate Programmes through Ethiopian Private Higher Education Institutions. Rakshit Negi (Ph.D) and Guta Kedida, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia


16:30-16:50. Discussion


16:50 – 17:20 Chair: Professor Olugbemiro Jegede

Rapporteur: Dr. Eyilachew Zewdie, SGS, SMUC


Plenary Presentation on the subtheme Funding of Private Universities in Africa Dr Mrs Esther O. Asekun-Olarinmoye

17:20 – 17:35 Discussion

17:40 End of session

Thursday, 9th August 2012

08.30 – 09.00 Welcome/Review of Day's Activities


09.00 – 10.00 Chair: Prof. Aize Obayan, Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Nigeria

Rapporteur: Rahel G/Chirstos


Plenary Presentation on the subtheme Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Private Universities in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities Prof. Barney Pityana, Rector Anglican Theological Seminary, South Africa


Plenary Presentation on the subtheme Private Higher Education at the Crossroads: Strategic Planning and the Pursuit of the Public Good Professor Paul Omaji


10:00 – 10:15 Discussion

10.15 – 10.30 Health Break

10.30 – 12.40 Parallel Sessions


Panel 1: Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Private Universities in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities


Chair: Dr. Getnet Tizazu, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Rapporteur: Dr. Wondimagegn Chekol, Quality Assurance Office, SMUC, Ethiopia


10:30-10:50. Implementation Barriers to Internal Quality Assurance in Private Higher Education in Ghana. John Kwame Boateng (PhD), Wisconsin International University College


10:50-11:10. Quality Assurance Challenges and Opportunities faced by Private Universities in Zimbabwe. Evelyn C. Garwe (PhD), Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education, Zimbabwe


11:10-11:30. Collecting Feedback from Students in Ethiopian Private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Implication for Quality Assurance and Enhancement. Melaku Girma, St. Mary's University College, Ethiopia


11:30-11:50. Internationalization and Quality Assurance in a Private University College. John Kwame Boateng (PhD), Wisconsin International University College


11:50-12:10. Cross-Border Partnership and Collaboration in Maintaining Quality Education in Private Higher Education Institutions in Africa: Some Selected Cases from Ethiopia. Wondimeneh Mammo (Asst. Prof.), Alpha University College, Ethiopia.


12:10-12:40. Discussion


Panel 2: Private Universities in Community Service in Africa


Chair: Professor Paul Omaji, VC Salem University

Rapporteur: W/ro Ergogie Tesfaye, Gender Office, SMUC


10:30-10:50. University-Community Engagement for Sustainable Development: An Analysis of the Context of Private Universities in Zimbabwe. David Chakuchichi (Prof.), Zimbabwe Open University


10:50-11:10. Higher Education and Entrepreneurship Development: What roles are private universities playing in Ethiopia? Hailemelekot Taye, St. Mary's University College, Ethiopia


11:10-11:30. Higher Education as an Agent of Inclusive Development: The Role of Private Universities in Africa. Tsitsi Chataika, University of Zimbabwe


11:30-11:50. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS, Risk Reduction Behaviors and Readiness to undergo Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT): Focus on Public and Private College Students in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Kabtamu Ayele Jimma (Asst. Prof.), Asela College of Teacher Education, Ethiopia


11:50-12:10. The Role of Private Higher Education Institutions in Student Readiness for HE. Misganaw Solomon, SMUC, Ethiopia


12:10-12:40. Discussion


12.40 – 13.30 Lunch Break

13.30-14.00 Chair: Professor Barney Pityana, Rector Anglican Theological Seminary

Rapporteur: Dr Daniel Kubuafor, AAU


Plenary Presentation on the subtheme Private Universities in Community Service in Africa Professor Everett Standa

14.00 – 14.15 Discussion

14.40 – 15.40

Parallel Presentations


Panel 1: Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Private Universities in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities


Chair: Dr Getnet Tizazu, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Rapporteur: Dr. Mulugeta Taye, SGS, SMUC


14:20-14:40. Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Private Universities in Uganda: Challenges and Opportunities. Francis Otto and Benon Musinguzi, Uganda


14:40-15:00. Academic Staff Capacities in Private Universities in Tanzania. Simon Peter Ngalomba, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania


15:00-15:20 Assessing Graduate Employability Skills: Implications for Quality in Higher Education. Zenawi Z., (PhD), Assefa A., Biadglign D., & Tsegazeab K., Mekelle University, Ethiopia


15:20-15:40. Discussion


Panel 2: Private Universities in Community Service in Africa


Chair: Professor Aize Obayan, VC Covenant University

Rapporteur: Dr. Bekabil Fufa, SGS, SMUC


14:20-14:40. Private Uuniversities in Community Services: Bridging the Gap in the Provision of Appropriate Sanitation. Chigunwe Gilliet and Ndoro Mercy, Zimbabwe


14:40-15:00. Factors Dictating Students' Career Choice in the Ethiopian Higher Education Environment. Asaye Teklu, St. Mary's University College, Ethiopia


15:00-15:20. The Role of Private Higher Education Institutions in Community Service in Africa: The Ashesi Approach, Elspeth Adzo Ashie, Ghana


15:20-15:40 The Engagement of African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Response to HIV/AIDS Daniel Kweku Kubuafor (PhD), AAU, Ghana


15:40-16:00 Discussion


16:00 – 16:30 Health Break

16.30-17:00 The International Fellowship Program of AAU, Araba Botchway, AAU

17:00 -17:15 Adoption of the Addis Ababa Declaration on the Role of Private Universities in Higher Education in Africa Professor Michael Omolewa, Former President of the General Conference of UNESCO

17.15 – 17.30 Closing Remark Tedla Haile, Executive Vice President, SMUC, Ethiopia

Friday, 10th August 2012

09.00 – 12.30 Excursion (Optional) to Entoto Mountain- Menelik Museum, Addis Ababa University Museum (Site of objects related to Emperor Haile Selassie), Trinity Cathedral (Ark of Covenant Site)

12.30 – Departure

Source: African Union Commission (AUC)

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