Practical Models of Inter-University Collaboration in Graduate Programs in Eastern and Central Africa

Since their inception, most African universities focused primarily on undergraduate instruction providing few opportunities for advanced study. Consequently, Africans pursuing graduate degrees typically studied outside Africa at high cost to themselves or their sponsors, often obtaining an education with limited relevance to Africa.

In response to the growing demand for locally-produced higher education, many African universities are now seeking to expand their graduate program offerings. However, resources for graduate program development, teaching, and research support are limited, and new models of university capacity-building are needed. Dr. Bashaasha, a leading Ugandan scholar, will discuss four current intra-Africa initiatives to share curricula, professors, and research across universities to create affordable higher education tailored to African problems and issues. The talk will focus on the creation and implementation of new African graduate programs in agriculture, economics, and development. The lessons learned from these four initiatives are relevant for the building of graduate programs in all disciplines. 

Dr. Bashaasha received his Ph.D. degree from The Ohio State University in 1998 and is currently Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at Makerere University in Uganda. He is a recipient of the FAES 2008 International Alumni Award.

This is the third talk in the 2007-08 Center for African Studies series on Reflections on Higher Education in Africa. 

Details of the event:

Friday, February 29
Noon - 1:00
122 Oxley Hall
1712 Neil Avenue

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information contact cas@osu.edu or (614) 292-8169.