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This study explored the experiences of inclusion and exclusion of African academics in Norway in various sectors of the society and their participation in these sectors. Using a mixed method research approach, 166 African academics completed a 20-item questionnaire entitled Perceived Exclusion Scale (PES) and two open-ended questions about their mental effects and coping mechanisms of exclusion. Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis procedures were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the participants experienced exclusion in almost all the sectors of the Norwegian society with concomitant effects of depression and insomnia for most of the participants. Participants mentioned acceptance, confrontational strategy, avoidance strategy, theological group discussion and positive attitudes as key coping mechanisms to exclusion and discrimination. This study could be used as a baseline for future research on the psychological and mental health effects of discrimination of Africans and African-Norwegians. The study is a pointer to the public discourses on the positive sides of immigration in general and the role of migrants' contribution to the Norwegian society.

Background: Currently, the globe is at the crossroads of a polycrisis where multiple shocks and interdependencies play out in an ever-evolving integrated world. Young children and their families bear the brunt of these realities through stresses that have a negative impact on them. In seeking better worlds in early childhood care and education (ECCE), it is imperative that universalised quick-fix solutions that sideline multiple perspectives and multivocality do not become the norm. Aim: This conceptual article aims to interrogate the epistemic dimension in ECCE by analysing resistance to dominant framings and possibilities for new beginnings. Methods: Specific concepts from decolonial literature are unpacked and operationalised through a collective case study. Cases were purposively selected for their pushback elements from literature and the author's experiences. The cases from the United States of America, Africa and South Africa were analysed for patterns of resistance and possibilities. Results: The findings reveal that the resistance efforts from different geographical regions emanate from intentional actions to contest dominant perspectives in ECCE, and to reorient the epistemological space with affirming alternatives. As a collective, the case studies can be read as relational experiences that resist elimination and assimilation into universalised framings of ECCE. Conclusion: The focus on the epistemic dimension from different geographical spaces, and more importantly from similar relational experiences, points to the importance of expanding a network of solidarity for a more inclusive ECCE science. Contribution: This study contributes to filling the gap in knowledge in ECCE through a focus on how the epistemic dimension has the potential to be skewed in the current polycrisis unless concerted action is undertaken to develop polycentres that include multiple ways of knowing, thinking and feeling in ECCE.

Purpose: This study seeks to review the literature on contemporary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education practices to frame approaches that can be used to prepare STEM pre-service teachers. Design/methodology: This study used a systematic literature review guided by PRISMA 2020 statement. Following some eligibility criteria 79 studies were selected for synthesis. Data were analysed qualitatively, and Excel spreadsheet was used for the quantitative aspects. Findings: This synthesis revealed diversity in the conceptualization of STEM education. Despite a lag in global STEM education research, countries such as South Africa and Tanzania have published research areas like STEM education practices, STEM teacher education, and technology adoption for STEM education. The synthesis also showed that aspects of policy, instruction, STEM-teacher professional development, STEM teacher education approaches, student activities, and the nature of support for STEM education are important considerations for developing effective models for framing pre-service teacher preparation. Originality/value: This study is the original work of the researchers. The study draws from global STEM education practices and assesses the geographical distribution of literature on STEM teacher education practices in African countries to frame a six-point approach that can be used to enhance effective STEM teacher education practices.

Social network sites, most notably Facebook, have fundamentally transformed the way information is transferred, received, and shared by individuals and organisations. This article explores the diverse contexts in which Facebook is utilised as a knowledge-sharing instrument, along with the key challenges encountered in adopting Facebook as a knowledge-sharing instrument. It also indicates the gaps in adopting Facebook as a knowledge-sharing instrument. In a systematic literature review, 400 articles accomplishing the research objectives were identified. The findings revealed that Facebook can be used in different contexts. Greater awareness of Facebook's versatility as a platform for knowledge sharing across various domains is recommended. This article also advises that the challenges related to cost, time investment and technical expertise be addressed, and emphasises the need for education and training.

Motivational beliefs, especially self-efficacy, are very important in understanding students' academic engagement and achievement. Students' self-efficacy influences their academic decisions, choices, and learning behaviours. Building on a case of an African international student identified as Frank, this case study illustrates the influence of socio-cultural contexts on students' development of motivational beliefs, such as self-efficacy, across the school years. Specifically, it considers how Frank's social expectations, goals, cultural norms, school structure, and experience of teacher support shaped his motivational beliefs and influenced his academic engagement. The article emphasizes the need to understand how students' motivational beliefs and academic engagement are situated in context. Implications for theory, practice, and research are discussed.

In an era characterized by evolving perspectives on diversity, inclusion, and decolonization within the domain of education, the exploration of African presence in educational literature emerges as an important endeavor. This study delved into a half-century of published works in "Educational Considerations," with a particular focus on texts about and from Africa. Employing a qualitative content analysis methodology, the research traversed a vast corpus of published works spanning five decades. The analysis showed a progressive transition from underrepresentation to an emerging exploration of Africa in "Educational Considerations," which signifies the growing acknowledgment of Africa's invaluable contribution to shaping academia, an essential part of the dialogue surrounding diversity and inclusive representation in educational literature.

There are too few teachers and schools to meet the need for quality universal basic education. Therefore, alternative approaches to education provision need to be explored, such as open and distance learning methods and development and provision of curriculum-based Open Educational Resources (OER). However, distribution of printed materials is increasingly costly, and distribution of digital resources remains a challenge in areas with little or no connectivity. This case study explores the potential of using offline strategies to share digital OER. It suggests it is possible to provide access to digital learning resources even in the most remote areas by using appropriate technology, like the Commonwealth of Learning's Aptus device.

The mental health of students in higher education is an increasing concern. Research indicates that university students are at a higher risk of poor mental health and wellbeing compared to the general population, which negatively impacts their studies. The main issue addressed in this study is the evident gap in mental health research dedicated to university students in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The purpose of this article is to review the literature on mental health of university students in SSA and to provide an overview of student mental health policy in educational institutions. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 recommendation was followed to objectively select and retain articles within the topic of interest for this systematic review. Findings indicate a significant gap in mental health research for university students in SSA. There is a need for higher education institutions to establish mental health empowerment policies and strategies. International examples, such as the University Mental Health Framework in Australia and the United Kingdom Universities Student Wellbeing Good Practice Guide, exist for benchmarking. Contribution: The higher education sector and policymakers can use the results to inform current policy decisions and identify priorities for future directions. It is crucial to translate international guidelines into the African context to address the specific mental health issues of students in the region.

The future of university learning in Sub-Saharan Africa has become increasingly digitally transformed by both e-Learning, and learning analytics, post-COVID-19 pandemic. Learning analytics intervention is critical for effective support of socially-shared regulated learning skills, which are crucial for twenty-first-century e-Learners. Socially-shared regulation is the major determinant of successful collaborative e-learning. However, most e-learners lack such skills thereby facing socio-cognitive challenges, due to the unavailability of intelligent support during learning. This research aims to investigate and understand the effect of Learning Analytics instructional support using feedback and prompts, on e-learners' SSRL indicators. A theoretical model was derived from these factors and built from selected features. Both survey data and behavioral trace data were employed in the Learning analytics-based intervention. In this paper, only a segment of the data is discussed. The e-learners' perceptions and feedback confirmed that Learning Analytics-based interventions using prompts and feedback are effective in promoting SSRL in collaborative e-learning contexts. The findings indicated that the success of SSRLA-based intervention be tied to support from instructors and academic counselors, particularly feedback on previous problems and quizzes. This will improve e-learners' SSRL skills for quality educational experience, hence motivate e-learners, and help lecturers to identify at-risk learners in web programming problem-based courses. In conclusion, without adequate utilization of the Learning Analytics interventional trace data, critical information about learners' behavior patterns in terms of their online interactivity with the course activities and their SSRL profiles and strategies cannot be disclosed leading to little improvement of e-Learning interventions.

Scholars' engagement with digital social networks is complex, warranting a comprehensive understanding of their use and participation. Current research has not yet grasped the motivators, gratification, and challenges that academics encounter across multiple digital social networks. With this in mind, this study surveyed scholars who purposely participate in digital social networks for professional endeavors. The theoretical frameworks guiding this research are the Uses and Gratification framework and the networked participatory scholarship conceptualization. A total of 307 higher education scholars completed an electronic survey with closed and open-ended questions. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and a team-coding approach for qualitative data. The results of this investigation highlight specific motivators for using digital social networks to support the scholar's teaching, research, and professional development. The results of this investigation suggest that scholars are constantly navigating challenges and trading them off against the benefits. The results of this investigation also helped determine the imagined audiences that scholars perceive as potential spectators when using digital social networks for their scholarly efforts. The results illustrate the many reasons provided by scholars, which aligned with the self-presentation and impression management theory.

Despite the legislation put in place by the United Nations, Africa continues to grapple with issues of monosexism and heterosexism. In fact, of the 54 African countries, 33 have criminalised queer relationships, a legacy primarily attributed to colonial rule. However, social work literature has recently introduced a culturally sensitive model for working with the LGBTQIA+ community, known as Queer affirmative action. By utilising available literature and adopting an intersectional approach, which was collected and analysed through PRISMA, this paper aims to discuss the Africanising of sexuality in Africa. It argues that it is crucial to undertake a critical analysis of the colonial legacy and its impact on queer identities. Furthermore, the article posits that social work education must incorporate knowledge of the intersection of gender, sexuality, and other identity markers to form an inclusive and comprehensive approach towards practice. An affirmative philosophy to social work practice can serve as a counterweight to all punitive and discriminatory practices. Thus, in Africa, the most effective way to improve the well-being of queer individuals is to eradicate structural forms of inequality and decriminalise same-sex consensual relationships.

A former United States government senior policy advisor recommended that each university ought to formulate an Africa strategy within its long-term strategic objectives. This study explored the potential for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to further engage with Africa as a sustainability strategy, with an eye toward sustaining their missions and enhancing their global impact. The study utilized AutoHBCUology™, a multi-phase originally constructed mixed methodological design. The findings shed light on the multifaceted landscape of sustainability pathways and leadership commitment to internationalization with Africa among senior-level leaders at HBCUs. The emphasis on institutional leadership, stability, connectivity, and repositioning as pathways to sustainability underscores the multifaceted approach required to ensure the long-term viability of HBCUs in an ever-evolving educational landscape. The specific examination of leadership commitment to internationalization with Africa reveals a strong inclination toward professional high-level engagement, particularly through conferences and discussions with African Ministries of Education and institutions. However, fiscal resource allocation for internationalization with Africa may not be a high priority compared to other considerations. Nevertheless, the commitment to student-related activities, such as encouraging faculty, staff, and students to engage in educational exchanges, signifies a proactive stance toward fostering international experiences with Africa. Despite constraints, targeted Africa engagement may promote HBCU sustainability. Overall, this study aimed to initiate critical dialogue on typically unexplored sustainability dimensions for HBCUs in partnership with African nations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted academic labour, with women being disproportionately negatively affected. This scoping review provides an exploratory snapshot into the corpus of literature investigating the impact of the pandemic on academic labour. We used a set of criteria to first identify the 86 titles from which we selected 45 as the data set. We analyzed the data on characteristics of location, investigative methods, publication information, and discipline. The findings showed that most of the data were global in context; used primarily qualitative methodologies; published in a wide variety of journals; and spanned diverse disciplines, including science and health, education, business, sociology, and political sciences. We then analyzed the data thematically. The themes we identified were gender inequity, identities and intersectionality, performing work-home binaries, and invisible labour. We added a fifth theme, lived experiences, consisting of women academics' firsthand accounts. We consider this theme unique, despite its overlap with the other themes, because it is evidence of women academics telling their personal stories. We discuss how our findings show that pandemic conditions worsened existing inequities. The solutions most often cited in the data place emphasis and responsibility on the individual, but we argue that institutions should instead be responsible to redress inequities through improving workplace labour processes. Our research can aid future research on how policy theory can inform socially just policies and practices in the post-pandemic university.

Knowledge applied to innovation is increasingly recognized as an explanatory factor of economic growth. Innovation derives from applying knowledge to generate new products or processes. National Innovation Systems (NIS) performs as the formal or informal network of people within institutions interacting to produce and apply knowledge to innovation. NIS can be understood as two subsystems: one based on scientific and technological work, producing codified products (publications and patents), and the other centered on practical actions to diffuse, apply, and use knowledge. Our objective is to assess cost efficiency in the production of codified knowledge outputs (CKO), being our unit of analysis NIS (countries). To attain our goal, we apply a Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) to estimate a cost frontier of CKO. The panel sample includes 1189 observations for 23 years (1996-2019) and 82 countries. Our main results identify determinants and patterns of efficiency and productivity, tendencies, and specifics of countries and groups of them.

With the rise of many coaching regulatory organizations, such as The International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), women are becoming central to the dialogue. This is especially the case with The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (GCC, 2024) which sees encouraging women and providing empowerment tools and strategies as part of the future strategic transformation in the region. This research essay is based on a survey conducted to explore public opinion on women's participation in coaching as leaders and coaches in Arab local organizations. The survey was launched and circulated in social media and WhatsApp groups using Google Forms. The data collected are representative of both women and men who live and work in Arab cultures and speak Arabic. The survey conveys the perceptions, beliefs, and values of the participants and how they view women's empowerment, leadership, and coaching in organizations. The purpose is to inform women coaches, policymakers, and consultants who support organizational development in MENA. This data-driven article will help enrich the lives of professional women in the field of coaching while supporting practitioners in understanding the landscape.

This article provides a detailed analysis of the various methods used in physics classrooms to teach oscillation and its related concepts. We thoroughly searched reputable databases, including Scopus and Web of Science. We analyzed 50 articles published between 2018 and 2023 using content analysis techniques such as elimination, classification, and grouping into themes. Our unit of analysis was the articles' methods, results, and conclusions. The results of this study are: (1) The trends in the development of research on the topic of oscillation and its derivatives from 2018 to 2023 indicate a declining interest. (2) During the period from 2018 to 2023, Indonesia emerged as the primary contributor to research on the topic of oscillation; (3) From 2018 to 2023, researchers predominantly focused on the topic of pendulum in the field of oscillation research (4) The most prevalent method for imparting oscillation content and its derivatives employed by researchers between 2018 and 2023 was experimentation, and (5) The most prevalent type of empirical research conducted on the topic of oscillation between 2018 and 2023 was pure research involving laboratory experiments. This systematic literature review is a foundation for developing various learning tools such as teaching materials, technology-based instructional media development, and primarily instruments related to oscillation and its derivatives. Overall, this systematic review highlights the need for more research on effective teaching methods for oscillation and provides practical insights for educators and researchers alike.

Due to the recent developments in the delivery of teaching-learning processes when COVID-19 hit the world with a health crisis and pandemic, it is crucial to look into the quality of courses delivered via online means or through distance education modality. This paper examines implementation and application of quality assurance (QA) landscape in Distance Education (DE). A documentary review using bibliographic inquiry is used as a methodology approach to gather relevant information to address the study questions. Previous studies on QA in DE are examined and arranged into themes using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that most of the literature on QA in DE in Africa and Asia based on the reviewed Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions are basically dealing with frameworks, outcomes and performance, instructional design, student services and challenges as well as parity in terms of quality with the traditional institutions. Therefore, this paper concludes that more studies are needed for QA in DE to match the post-COVID-19 trends on improving QA. This implies that there is a need to expand research on QA in DE to include areas of artificial intelligence.

This paper reports the findings of a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer on 392 Scopus database documents published from 2003 to 2022, aiming to understand the global landscape of the e-learning field and to identify the most prominent authors, institutions, countries and reference publications, as well as the research topics that have recently received the most attention in students' readiness for e-learning in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The findings indicate that there has been an upward trend in e-learning readiness among students in HEIs over time. Among the countries studied, the United States, Taiwan, Australia, and Malaysia were found to have the most effective approaches to addressing students' readiness for e-learning. The most highly cited author in this field is M-L. Hung. Based on the citations, the most recognised journal in this field was "Computers and Education" and the universities that were most persuasive were two Taiwan universities in the first position. The data also revealed relatively low levels of collaboration among authors, institutions and nations regarding students' readiness for e-learning.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a worldwide commitment to a set of ambitious goals that advance sustainable social justice across the globe. Higher education (HE), while featuring in SDG 4: Quality Education, needs to occupy a bolder and more explicit position in the formulation of the SDGs and in their attainment, not only as an instrument toward the achievement of the SDGs but also in the sociocultural consciousness of countries towards a more sustainable and socially just world. Engaging with students in HE around these issues plays a vital role. Given Student Affairs and Services' (SAS) role and position in terms of support and development of students worldwide, it is a key player in supporting HE to become a more effective instrument in advancing the SDGs and in advancing students' attitudes and commitment to SDGs. To explore how SAS can play a more impactful role in advancing the SDGs and SAS' role in and contribution to SDGs around the world, we researched SAS practitioners' awareness of and engagement with SDGs. To collect data, we used a survey with open and closed questions via snowball sampling with self-selected participants from fifty-three countries (N=318). The results of our study suggest that SAS practitioners engage with and utilize the SDGs in a variety of ways across the globe, thus contributing to the role HE plays in advancing SDGs. In exploring the patterns, it emerges that SAS in the Global South (GS) and Global North (GN) engage differently with the SDGs. According to the results of our study, SAS in the GS appears to have more awareness of, engage more deliberately with, and use the SDGs more broadly in their work with students. While there are different trends on the role SDGs play across the global HE sector, the consensus seems to be around the need to discuss and engage with the SDGs more deeply, at curricular and co-curricular levels in higher education. Our research suggests that HE and SAS can do much more to generate awareness of SDGs, particularly in the GN.

In the last three decades, there has been a rush towards internationalizing higher education. The international double/joint degree programs are one of the drivers of internationalisation activities. Many African universities have evolved to offer their students these opportunities for academic mobility. This study is a phenomenological understanding of the experiences of African students in Canada on exchange partnerships for international double/joint degree programs (IDDP), using Bourdieu's toolbox. The result shows a gap between the ideal expectations and the instrumental aspects of the programs. Students seem satisfied, despite the challenges faced by participating in these programs.

Schoolteachers worldwide continue to encounter challenging behavior in their classrooms. As a result, teacher preparation programs are receiving more scrutiny regarding how well they are preparing their teacher candidates to effectively address challenging behavior especially in line with the principles of whole schooling. The overarching purpose of this research was to identify the extent to which pre-service teacher preparation programs in eight African countries provided training in classroom and behavior management. The study was predicated on the premise of accentuating the scope of the teacher preparation experience in addressing critical research-based features of classroom and behavior management. Curricula from 11 teacher preparation institutions from across eight African countries were collected and analyzed to explore the extent to which the programs were addressing research-based practices in classroom and behavior management in the preparation of their teacher candidates. Results indicated that only three of the programs offered courses that were specific to behavior and classroom management and only one of the programs addressed some of the specific research-based practices--and very minimally so. This study highlights the need to further examine teacher preparation programs in the different countries with the goal to incorporate and promote research-based practices in behavior and classroom management.

There is an increasing trend toward regionalization as higher education adapts to openness and globalization. In response, East African countries formed networks and partnerships that strengthened business, higher education, student and staff mobility, and research. This is because regionalization is embedded in East Africa's economy, politics, culture, and social norms. In addition, regionalization is influenced by internationalization and globalization. It promises development opportunities, although challenges are inevitable. This paper examines the contributions of regional student mobility to East Africa's development. We use neoliberal and world systems theories to illuminate the advantages and disadvantages of regionalizing higher education and explain how partner states can maximize opportunities and minimize challenges. Data was collected through convenience sampling of two hundred international students and two staff members in international students' offices. Data analysis revealed that the regionalization of East African higher education reflects historical power relations; it has benefits though founded on inequalities.

Background/purpose: While the existing literature explores the internalization of higher education, a significant gap remains in comprehending the motivations behind international students choosing Portuguese higher education. This study aims to address this gap by examining the motivations of a specific group within Portuguese universities: international students from Portuguese-speaking African countries. Materials/methods: The study was conducted with a qualitative approach using data obtained from biographical interviews with African Portuguese-speaking international students. The collected data were then analyzed according to content analysis. Results: The findings demonstrate that the students' motivations for studying at Portuguese higher education institutions varied. Their reasons include the international reputation of Portugal, the quality of its education, upon recommendation from family members, the Portuguese language, lower tuition fees compared to their home institutions, cultural proximity, scholarship opportunities, and the perception of Portugal as a safe country. Conclusion: Through an examination of the motivation of students from Portuguese-speaking African countries pursuing higher education in Portugal, this study provides fresh perspective on the existing literature concerning international student mobility. Opting to study in Portugal is seen as a chance for African students to access quality higher education and to obtain an academic degree with significant recognition in the country of origin, with anticipated positive impacts on the personal, social, and professional aspects of their lives.

This study investigates the validity and reliability of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) in the context of blended learning. In the digital age, the fusion of online components with traditional classroom instruction has become integral to modern pedagogy, giving rise to blended learning--a flexible approach accommodating diverse learning needs. In such multifaceted environments, intrinsic motivation emerges as pivotal for sustaining student engagement, bridging the gap between in-person and online learning components. Utilizing a quasi-experimental quantitative research design, the research focuses on first-year university students enrolled in a blended learning economics course. Thorough statistical analysis affirms the IMI's effectiveness in accurately measuring intrinsic motivation levels within the diverse framework of blended learning. The findings not only validate the IMI as a tool for assessing intrinsic motivation but also underscore its importance for educators. Understanding students' intrinsic motivation is essential for tailoring instructional strategies, identifying at-risk students, and proactively preventing potential dropouts in blended learning environments. The validation of the IMI enhances the accuracy of assessments, interventions, and program evaluations, ultimately contributing to the improvement of education quality for students engaged in the integrated format of traditional and online instruction.

This study examines the success and role of African women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In the absence of significant research on women's STEM leadership, the success and roles of others could motivate an aspiring African woman to pursue a career in STEM. A qualitative approach was sought using open online questions and narratives from African women leaders about their roles and career success in STEM. Data were collected from the western, eastern, northern, and southern regions of Africa from participants who held STEM leadership positions, such as directors, deans, and chief officers. The participants were 42 women representing 12 African nations. The narratives of these women leaders' tones and life experiences were analyzed through content analysis. The narratives of these women leaders' tones and life experiences were analyzed in search of recurring patterns and themes. Successful leadership in STEM requires balancing career and family life, setting goals, solving problems, being open to innovative ideas, embracing diversity, collaborating, and having knowledge of STEM research and mentoring skills. Using the achievements and roles of others could inspire future African women to pursue careers in STEM.

This article discusses the place of the concept of global citizenship within the context of African values. It holds that if the modern concept of global citizenship education as espoused by UNESCO and other global organisations is relatively recent, the same concept is ancient within the context of sub-Saharan Africa and it is subsumed within African values. The article argues that the search for a universal theory of global citizenship education is yet to yield any positive result and it critiques the three methodologies so far adopted in promoting global citizenship education across the world. The article concludes that whilst modern global citizenship education is tied to the material world and the benefits derivable therefrom, the concept of global citizenship education advanced by at least five African values is rooted in the depth of humanity from where it rises to smoothen human relations and sooth the pains caused by human avarice.

We present a review of higher education and education policy literature to understand better higher education institutions (HEIs) that serve sub-Saharan women in engineering. Our sub-Saharan women in engineering (SSAWE) literature-informed conceptual tool consists of five components to facilitate scholarly discussion about equity in higher education systems and facilitate interregional comparisons. The five components to study the educational experiences of women in engineering in this region include (1) a sociopolitical and historical national context for higher education policy, (2) critical discourse analysis of gender-based affirmative action policies, (3) enrollment and graduation data for female engineering students, (4) a longitudinal assessment of the employability of the engineering major, and (5) a qualitative campus climate survey of each country's flagship university. Our article introduces a conceptual investigation of the social, historical, and employment trends contextualizing engineering higher education in this region of Africa. We draw from existing literature about conceptual models predominantly used in higher education efforts toward undergraduate student success. When describing each SSAWE component, we include empirical and theoretical work that substantiates the need for each component and the benefits of the proposed methodology. More broadly speaking, this paper discusses how research employing the SSAWE framework could benefit key stakeholders who engage in policymaking. We suggest that sub-Saharan African universities should prioritize a regional comparative approach when designing support programs for underrepresented students in engineering. SSAWE will also generate more South-South comparisons that advance culturally situated analyses, contributing to higher education institutions' advancement and the minoritized populations they serve.

Despite revolutions, ongoing student protests, and long-standing transformational efforts, African higher education remains steeped in a colonial model, with current structures, approaches, and purposes paralleling Western universities. The doctorate, the highest level of formal education one can attain, reflects this commitment to Western domination, relying upon European conceptions of knowledge to shape the entire research process. Thus, knowledge construction in higher education, and particularly in the African doctorate, has remained fixed to Eurocentrism. This conceptual article presents a critical race theory model to transform the African doctorate towards a social justice orientation, arguing for investments in race-conscious, Black affirming approaches that recognise doctoral researcher positionalities and African languages as ways to disrupt socio-political and racialised contexts. This transformation requires re-alignment of the entire research endeavour through an Ubuntu lens, with doctoral recipients engaging in training and support that embody antiracist, decolonial, and African Indigenous-affirming approaches.

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between foreign higher education and corruption in 14 home countries in the MENA region and 13 host countries from 2007 to 2021. Panel-estimated generalized least squares, robust least squares MM estimation, dynamic panel data estimation, and one-step difference generalized method of moments was used to overcome heterogeneity and endogeneity issues and increase robustness. The study adopted the positive grease-the-wheels theory of corruption and the greed or need (GONE) theory in which the need for corruption develops into greed for corruption, revealing a significant positive relationship between foreign higher education and corruption in the MENA countries. Meanwhile, the sand-in-the-wheel theory of corruption and anti-corruption mechanisms that encourage less greed per the GONE theory revealed a significant negative relationship between foreign higher education and corruption in origin countries after students returned to their home countries. The study findings support the idea that foreign knowledge is a blessing for MENA countries. Furthermore, there was a significant positive relationship between foreign higher education and corruption in the host countries because students adapted to the host country's environment. The main conclusion was that governments should encourage students to study abroad in countries with less corruption, supporting the main hypothesis, which posited that ethics and values are adopted abroad and transferred to home countries. Furthermore, constitutional reform and economic development should be adopted to implement the anti-corruption system and control public spending on education.

Comparative education research is complicated by the difficulty of identifying comparable units across contexts. This paper considers the advantages and limitations of a functional equivalence approach to comparative education. The functional equivalence approach allows us to meaningfully compare the operations that serve each function in the full curriculum value chain of design, application, and updating. We use a theory-based list of common processes in each phase to develop a survey for experts from nine countries, then code their responses to derive ten key common functions. The functional equivalence approach allows us to aggregate some operations that serve the same functions, so our set of functional equivalents is slightly shorter than the theory-based list of processes. In comparing across contexts, we find easily identifiable functional equivalents, functional equivalents that manifest through very different operations, functional equivalents carried out by a wide variety of actors and institutions, similar operations that are not functionally equivalent, and functional equivalents that are not consistently present in all contexts. The functional equivalence approach helps identify comparable operations despite contextual diversity.

Access to quality education for all children is important for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals especially in Africa. However, information and communication technologies (ICTs) and access to electricity have continued to be burning issues hindering access to quality education in Africa. However, empirical evidence on the impact of ICTs and access to electricity on primary education in Africa is rare. This paper, therefore, investigates the impacts of information and communication technologies and access to electricity on the education of children in Africa. The study used rich data on primary school enrolment, education expenditure, access to electricity, fixed broadband subscriptions, fixed telephone subscriptions, mobile cellular subscriptions, and individuals using the internet in Africa obtained from the World Development Indicators. Leveraging on panel autoregressive distributed lag model, we find that fixed broadband subscriptions, mobile cellular subscriptions, individuals using the internet, and access to electricity exert significant impacts on school enrolment in Africa. We find from the Granger causality test result a unidirectional causality between school enrolment and mobile phone subscription. Furthermore, we identified bidirectional causalities between school enrolment and access to electricity, education expenditure, fixed telephone subscriptions, fixed broadband subscriptions, and individuals using the internet. We conclude that information and communication technologies improve education in Africa.

COVID-19 has significantly impacted humankind's lifestyle since its emergence. Educational institutions quickly adopted online courses to deal with its spread. Regrettably, the adoption of e-learning solutions, particularly in Africa, has not given due priority to security. However, cyberattacks and cyber incidents are leaping forward. To propose suitable solutions adapted to West African schools and universities' realities, it is essential to understand their online learning environment fully. This paper presents the status of West Africa's online learning workspace security during the COVID-19 lockdown by highlighting the tools and devices used for the courses and security risks associated, and students' cybersecurity awareness level. The research employs a quantitative methodology involving an online survey, which gathered data from a total of 1653 participants hailing from countries in West Africa. The data analysis revealed that students are concerned about privacy and personal data security, and West African online learning environment security faces many challenges and issues. Identified issues are related to students' low level of cybersecurity concepts, best practices, and applicable privacy laws and regulations. Finally, recommendations are made on needed efforts to secure West African online learning space through existing or proposed security mechanisms.

In this study, we take stock of fee-free secondary education (FSE) initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa and review their impact on equitable access and achievement, as well as their cost-effectiveness. We begin by discussing the theoretical arguments for and against the abolition of secondary school fees. Second, we examine aggregate statistics on enrollment and transition rates and find that primary school completion remains far from universal in most countries in the region, meaning that most low-income children are currently ineligible for fee-free secondary education. Third, we provide a comprehensive overview of the existing FSE policies in sub-Saharan Africa, showing that almost half of all countries in the region have abolished secondary school fees in the last 2 decades. Finally, we systematically review empirical evidence on the impact and effectiveness of recent FSE initiatives. Our review suggests four concrete recommendations for policymakers that are broadly aligned with the principle of "progressive universalism" in improving access to education.

This study interrogates how one of the least-studied regional intergovernmental organisations, the African Union (AU), operationalises or recontextualises the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the process of developing its post-2015 education and development strategies. Employing critical discourse analysis and drawing on multidisciplinary theories, the author examines the "emergence" of the SDGs in Africa and the strategies used to make them "hegemonic." The analysis indicates that the AU positions itself as an emerging education policy "node" negotiating between global development discourses and African needs and challenges. The strategies that the AU uses highlight potential issues in global governance. On the one hand, the AU positions itself as a victim of the unfair power relationships in global governance, by which international organisations and powerful economies maintain their institutional, structural and productive dominance. This seems to keep the AU "at bay" when it comes to decision-making at the global level. The AU consequently vows to become more critical and assertive, and to forge inclusive and fair relationships with its global partners. On the other hand, post-2015 African development strategies seem to benefit from global norms and make repeated references to scientific knowledge, expert ideas and best practices from the Western world. Overall, then, in order to carry out its role as a continental policy node "vis-à-vis" global expectations, the AU employs two apparently conflicting strategies: adoption and adaptation. These interpretations of the SDGs add more salience to both consensus and conflict-driven theories of global governance.

Following the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Islamophobia became increasingly visible across the U.S, impacting anyone perceived to be Muslim. Despite being named after a religion, Islamophobia is a racial ideology predominantly targeting people of Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian (MENASA) descent. In this qualitative study, the author explores how MENASA students navigated their college campuses in the period shortly following the 2016 election through examining the ways in which MENASA-focused cultural centers provided spaces of inclusion and belonging. The findings suggest that processes of racial formation and panethnic identity formation influenced the experiences of MENASA students in this period. Students demonstrated both a clear sense of racialization outside of whiteness, and the beginnings of panethnic identity formation across groups. These findings are situated in the particular temporal context of college-aged adults who both experienced 9/11 as young children and the 2016 presidential election in early adulthood.

This collaborative autoethnographic study explores how three female university English teachers in critical friendship navigated professional identity tensions related to the ideological biases of male faculty members implying that women do not belong in academia because of their gender and the responsibilities it entails in an African context. In a reflective collaborative autoethnography, the women raised awareness among TESOL practitioners, researchers, and educators of their professional identity tensions, which ranged from frustration to isolation. They also shared critical reflections on how they invested in their careers to navigate their professional identity tensions in a male-dominated higher-education environment.

A substantial body of research shows that various types of audiovisual (AV) input such as videos and videos with second language (L2) subtitles can facilitate language learning. However, language teachers' day-to-day practices with regard to multimodal input is less understood. To bridge the gap in language education, this study investigates teachers' perceived use of four types of AV input (video only, video with subtitles, video with captions and video with enhanced captions) and factors influencing teachers' perspectives on these types of input for in-class and out-of-class learning. Questionnaire data were collected from 193 L2 teachers across the globe about their perceived use of AV input. Teachers reported that they use video and captioned video most frequently in both classroom and out-of-class contexts. Logistic regression analyses revealed that teachers' perceived importance and comfort using specific AV input types were the two most important factors explaining teachers' reported use. Complementarily, open-ended responses were analyzed qualitatively to identify teachers' additional reasons for (non)use of such input.

With the overwhelming "Anglocentric" or "alphabetocentric" science of reading, the current review aimed to add to the science of reading acquisition from the perspective of abugidic writing system, distinct from the well-research alphabetic writing system in multiple dimensions of orthographic complexity, as proposed by Daniels and Share (2018), such as linguistic distance, spatial arrangement and non-linearity, and omission of phonological elements. Abugidic writing system is featured with scripts where each base consonant symbol denotes a consonant with an inherent vowel (/a/) and has billions of users in south Asia (e.g., India, Nepal, Sri Lanka), southeast Asia (e.g., Thailand, Laos, Cambodia), east Asia (parts of China) and Africa (Ethiopia and Eritrea). The current review describes the orthographic feature of Indic (Brahmi-derived) and Ethiopic (Ge'ez) scripts within the abugidic writing system and synthesizes existing findings on the literacy acquisition patterns specific to each script. Further, we elaborate on the multilingual and biscriptal language and literacy environment featured with the abugida-writing societies and discuss the theoretical implication for considering multilingualism and biscriptality as an inseparable sociolinguistic factor when understanding the literacy acquisition of the abugidic writing system in particular and literacy in general.

A challenge in building the biomedical engineering human factors course at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences was integrating meaningful direct experiences with medical products. The instructor also noticed a significant gap between the topics in the course and their surrounding clinical context, a low-income setting. Recognizing that devices should be designed and evaluated in the context of the local users' needs and situations, new hands-on modules were created and implemented in this BME human factors course. Students were asked to critically evaluate and make recommendations to improve the human factors aspects of the software and hardware of the IMPALA, a vital signs monitoring device developed for use in Malawi. Engaging with this medical device, students observed and understood many issues discussed in human factors, including the design of ports, controls, and other user interfaces. The collaboration between the course and the IMPALA project harnessed the local expertise of students to improve the design of a new patient monitoring system. Thus, the IMPALA project itself benefited from this collaboration. Second, students greatly benefited from applying the class concepts to the IMPALA. Students were engaged far more during the interactive components than during the lecture components. Many students successfully translated their knowledge on human factors to their final-year design project.