Category: Book Release

Fabrice Jaumont has written a book that needed to be written decades ago. Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa tells the complicated story of how philanthropy has shaped higher education, in both positive and negative ways. Although the “great” philanthropists have been lauded in many books for decades, recent scholarship has challenged their benevolence and that of their foundations. Jaumont provides a fair portrayal of major foundation players in African higher education—those with a long track record and those that have just started to play a role. Rather than present these foundations as saviors that uplift higher education on the continent, Jaumont presents a nuanced view, detailing the profound impact as well as the “unequal” relationships that result when one of the partners has more resources and the other is in need of resources. Of note, the discussions and themes featured in the book are useful to those studying and working with foundations in the USA as well as in Africa. Interestingly, many of the interventions in Africa are similar to those in urban and minority communities in the USA. Overall, Unequal Partners is beautifully written, succinctly and effectively argued, and timely.

Continue reading “Marybeth Gasman, University of Pennsylvania, endorses Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa”

This book is vitally important at a moment when higher education is internationalizing and global partnerships proliferate. Jaumont asks that academics, funders, and practitioners think about that which they do by casting bright light on the hard won opportunities of a crucial partnership in African higher education and the challenges that remain.

Continue reading “Thomas Asher, Social Science Research Council, endorses Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa”

In this book, Jaumont sheds light on the collaborative efforts of major US foundations on the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa. An important resource for those interested in understanding or improving educational philanthropy.

Continue reading “Richard Arum, Dean, School of Education, University of California Irvine, endorses Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa”

This book provides the reader with a window to peek into the world of foundations, a world that is often closed and not understood by the public. A must read for those interested in working with development agencies and for those depending on donor funding for development.

Continue reading “Teboho Moja, Higher Education Program, NYU, endorses Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa”