Century-old Philanthropic Interests In Africa’s Higher Education

1. Chapter 1 Century-old Philanthropic Interests In Africa’s Higher Education Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

2. Chapter 1 Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education • Grants from foundations have a massive influence on academic institutions worldwide. • Influence was direct via grants for facilities and research, and indirect via pressure to adapt. • This indirect influence is said to have forced institutions to raise their standards in an effort to compete for grants. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

3. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education While objectives have shifted, foundations continue to concentrate support on favored groups. In 2001, while 2,500 organizations received grants, 1% of them accounted for 30% of the money. This creates a divide between elite institutions and others, possibly affecting effectiveness and affordability of education. Targeted Approach in Foundation Patronage Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

4. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education The Leadership Role of Foundations • Foundations have helped develop: • Financial aid • Libraries • Adult education • Opportunities for minorities Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

5. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education The Leadership Role of Foundations CONT’D • Foundations have helped develop: • New standards for courses and credits • New disciplines • Improvements in faculty compensation • Made research possible for non-wealthy faculty Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

6. Higher Education in Africa and Western Influence Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education • Africa is home to some of the world’s oldest surviving universities. • What are now known as Western-style universities are a result of Muslim Arabic academic approaches. • In the 19th century missionaries began founding Western-style colleges and universities in Africa. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

7. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education • The International Health Board of the Rockefeller Foundation started in Africa in 1913. • In the 1920s they began to focus on African educators. • Africans received fellowships to study in American universities, and support began for vocational training and in the medical field in Africa. The Rockefeller Foundation in Africa Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

8. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education The Carnegie Corporation of New York • Began philanthropic efforts in Africa after 1927. • Established best practices to: • “Avoid relieving either public or private agencies from their own duty.” • Avoid political involvement. • Stick to areas that weren’t already being tended to by others (such as The Rockefeller Foundation) • Only issue grants in areas where there was a sufficiently “informed public opinion”. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

9. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education Making Universities Relevant in Africa • Until the end of World War II, African governments were largely distrustful of educated Africans with ideas that didn’t match their own. • Higher education seemed elitist, and needed to be transformed in order to become accessible and relevant to Africa’s developmental needs. • In the 1960s and 1970s curricula started to include more professional fields of study and graduate programs, supported by Carnegie and Rockefeller. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

10. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education Higher Education as a Luxury • In the 80s and 90s most foreign donors began focusing on basic education and ignoring higher education. • The World Bank and International Monetary Fund both discouraged diverting scarce resources to higher education. • By the end of the 90s, Universities gradually became perceived as places for human development, and projects started seeing funding. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

11. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education Financial Pressure Rises in the 90s Professors were difficult to come by due to an aging faculty, lack of incentives for younger staff, and emigration to more developed countries. National governments and the private sector weren’t supporting universities at this time either. Dependence on foundations began creating a disparity of power and gave them massive influence over the universities. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

12. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education Funding Becomes Targeted on Development • Funding efforts in the 1990s aimed at assisting governments and community projects. • Universities in Africa were able to respond to needs caused by political and economic shifts. • Coordination between governments, universities and foundations was critical to account for changes in all sectors. • Foundations helped in critical areas such as research for knowledge development and technical training. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

13. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education Addressing Responsiveness • As the new millennium began African universities were criticized for not being responsive to the current social and economic environment. • Grants were issued for the review of accuracy of curriculum in areas such as history. • A re-evaluation of curriculum’s suitability for the learners was also produced relating to the production, organization and distribution of knowledge. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

14. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education New Funding Strategies Foundations funded projects aimed at issues in the local communities surrounding the universities. Programs were launched to help prepare Blacks for higher education – something that had been made difficult in the apartheid era. An internship program attracted students to graduate programs, as well as providing new interactions with local communities. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

15. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education Capacity Development in the 90s • Focus shifted to faculty development and academic networking. • The Millennium Development Goals were the key drivers for donors. • Universities began to take a more active role in the development of faculty and of new scholars. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

16. Chapter 1 - Century-Old Philanthropic Interests in Africa’s Higher Education Turn of the Century Challenges • As Information and Communication Technology (ICT) developed a widening knowledge gap began to form between Africa and the Western world. • Political struggles often constrained academic freedoms and limited donor support. • Ownership of funded programs started to be questioned, with African universities feeling that the programs were at times impositions with minimal input from them. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont