19 November 2020  Issue No: 292

Will Chinese diplomacy in Africa, which in the last two decades has opened a highway for African student mobility to China, become relevant in the global power-political game-plan in the future?

Kenya’s bid to build hundreds of new hostels for university students with the support of the private sector has slowed down due to falling investor interest, throwing into jeopardy the plan that was meant to lift the country’s education quality credentials.

After decades of pressure from civic society calling for legislative reform, in July 2020 Zimbabwe replaced the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which was widely condemned as draconian, with a new information law that some – especially those in the media fraternity – say is not much different from the old one.

American football, commonly recognised by many as the NFL or National Football League, as well as baseball, are among the top five most lucrative sports played – but are, unfortunately for those who may want to participate in these codes, almost exclusively practised in the United States, Central and South America. This norm, however, may just be changing.

Tertiary education works and is vital in many ways for development, but evidence shows how it could have a greater social impact through collaboration, consideration of context and clear communication, if only its contribution was not being overlooked by major funders and the public.

On 25 November University World News, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, will be bringing together experts and practitioners from the International Association of Universities, the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in an online webinar on how universities can improve their social impact.

COVID-19 has highlighted and increased inequalities in the higher education system. With potential changes to that system likely as a result of the pandemic, it has never been more important to ensure that equity for low-income and marginalised students is embedded in our response.

In a statement on COVID-19, the parties to the Tokyo Convention on the recognition of qualifications in the Asia-Pacific are demanding ‘fair and transparent’ recognition of online and blended studies and qualifications to avoid further disruption of education and student mobility.