16 November 2023  Issue No: 429

Outrage about the situation in Gaza is growing in academic circles in South Africa, judging by the proliferation of critical pronouncements about the crisis. A prominent recent initiative came in the form of an open letter that has drawn the support of researchers, lecturers, administrators and students.

Only a third of scientists in Africa are women – and, while gender equality in African research is gradually progressing, women scientists in most countries continue to describe their careers as an ‘obstacle course’. South Africa and countries in the Maghreb were making progress, a UNESCO report stated.

Despite the important work African researchers are doing to provide knowledge and understanding about climate science to society and policy-makers, the continent’s climate scientists lack visibility on the international stage because there are just not enough resources to build the sustainable institutions required.

Universities become dysfunctional, not because there are no rules, but because they defy their own rules. This has been highlighted during the ongoing appointment process of a new vice-chancellor at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, writes higher education expert Professor Jonathan Jansen.

Affordability coupled with scholarship opportunities are some of the factors that are attracting students from Africa to study in China. Many students are also interested in China’s culture and technological advancement. But academic challenges include language barriers. Students who have spent time in China shared their experiences with University World News.

The high study permit refusal rate for African students seeking to study in Canada can be blamed on increases in the volume of applications as a result of a recruitment model that invites mass applications and, in Africa, often relies on inexperienced downstream recruitment agents, an expert in the field has said.

Universities in Russia are experiencing a structural transformation, marked by decreasing autonomy, militarisation, and ideologisation of curricula. As they distance themselves from Western models, these institutions are reverting to Soviet-era approaches to higher education which are expected to intensify as the war continues.

There have been 439 Palestinians from the university community killed and 11 higher education buildings completely or partially damaged since the start of the Israel-Palestine war on 7 October, according to the Palestinian government. Higher education has been severely disrupted.

As the United Arab Emirates prepares to host COP28, the global summit on climate action and sustainable development, University World News is running a weekly Special Briefing exploring the contribution of Gulf states’ universities to climate action and to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.