Higher education in economic transformation

摘要

Africa's educational policies over the last two decades have stressed the role of primary education in social development. This paper argues that there is a need to balance this bias with new policies and practices that support the evolution of universities that contribute directly to community development. The paper uses examples from Costa Rica, Ghana, Zambia and South Korea to illustrate possible roles that universities can play in Africa's economic development. It outlines specific policy measures needed to strengthen the role of higher education in development in general and in community improvement in particular. It particularly identifies measures related to curriculum reform, changes in pedagogy and management of universities as key areas requiring policy attention.