The University of Leeds, England is set to host a global forum that will bring together prominent thought leaders to explore the challenges, innovations, and opportunities in Higher Education practices. Scheduled to take place from Friday, June 22nd to Saturday, June 23rd, 2023, the conference aims to foster discussions and collaborations among reformers in higher education to shape a visionary and inclusive framework for the universities of the future.
Among the distinguished speakers at the conference is Professor Nosa Owens-Ibie, Vice Chancellor of Caleb University in Imota, Lagos. With a focus on Higher Education Pedagogies in Africa: Looking Back to a Prosperous Future, Professor Owens-Ibie will shed light on the development of higher education institutions on the continent and examine the political and intellectual contexts that have shaped their evolution.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s higher education history, Professor Owens-Ibie highlighted the influence of the British system, which played a significant role in shaping the country’s academic landscape. From the establishment of Yaba Higher College in Lagos in 1932 to the opening of the University College in Ibadan in 1948 as an affiliate of the University of London, Nigeria’s higher education journey has closely followed the British model. However, recent times have witnessed increasing influences from the United States. Similar patterns have emerged in other African countries, mirroring Nigeria’s trajectory.
The presentation by Professor Owens-Ibie will explore the phases of development in African higher education, analyzing the legal and policy provisions that have allowed the private sector to contribute to the provision of higher education. The professor will argue that this intervention has led to increased creativity and innovation, despite the challenges still prevalent in the sector. Notably, he will highlight the resilience demonstrated by universities like Caleb University during the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully maintaining an uninterrupted academic calendar.
One of the consequences of the frequent disruptions in the academic calendar of public institutions, marked by prolonged strikes by academic staff, has been the emigration of both faculty and students. This phenomenon, known as the “Japa Syndrome,” has further hampered development opportunities. Professor Owens-Ibie will emphasize the importance of partnerships that leverage unexplored avenues, serving as a catalyst for North-South collaboration, mentorship, bridging the digital divide, ensuring quality assurance, and fostering creative engagements.
Joining Professor Owens-Ibie at the conference are several other esteemed thought leaders in higher education. Notable speakers include Professor Andrew Azzopardi, Dean of the Faculty of Wellbeing at the University of Malta; Dr. Pamela Barber-Freeman and Dr. Patricia Hoffman-Miller from Prairie View A&M University, Texas; Professor Laurette Blakey Foster, Executive Director of the HBCU Faculty Development Network; Professor Chang Heng-hao from National Taipei University; Dr. Claire Brown from the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership; Dr. Yap Meen Sheng, Dean of Students at the Student Success Centre, Singapore University of Social Sciences; and Dr. Jeremiah E. Shipp from Winston-Salem State University.
The global forum is expected to provide a unique platform for these influential figures to exchange ideas and compare emerging practices in higher education. By fostering collaborative discussions, the conference aims to formulate a comprehensive framework for new, agile, and visionary higher education pedagogies that effectively address the challenges presented by the “new times” and envision the universities of the future.
