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The influence of U.S. foundations in Africa and the reinforced dominance of English

The discourse on priorities in African higher education is placed in a contested terrain, where grantors and grantees not only negotiate one another’s perspectives but also contend with inhospitable national contexts. In certain African countries, governments do not necessarily encourage the development of universities or international donors who are not overtly cooperative. Much to their credit, U.S. foundations have helped universities become self-sustainable and less dependent on government funding. They also succeeded in raising awareness about higher education in Africa as a sector worthy of financial support, thus making the case for Africa’s universities in national and international contexts. However, these foundations did not engage sufficiently with non-English speaking institutions, even when this was important to generate more equity and sustainability on the very sector that they sought to promote. Continue reading “The influence of U.S. foundations in Africa and the reinforced dominance of English”

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Language and U.S. Philanthropy in Africa

The mechanisms of international philanthropy and foreign investment are extremely complex. Africa’s ecology of donors is composed of numerous international agencies, development funds, international foundations, and pan-African organizations that allocate their funds based on a number of environmental and institutional factors. These funds, however, are limited, and grantees oftentimes find themselves competing for resources. Donors thus wield a huge amount of power, shaping the development of the continent through their grant-making practices. This unbalanced relationship between grantors and grantees does not go by unnoticed, and American foundations are often criticized for enforcing a pro-Western agenda as they unilaterally set development goals and priorities. Meanwhile, recent literature on African higher education suggests that African scholars are calling for more ownership in the inception and implementation of programs so as to serve the cause of African development, not Westernization. Continue reading “Language and U.S. Philanthropy in Africa”

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Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa

This book offers a nuanced analysis of a US-led foundation initiative of uncommon ambition, featuring seven foundations with a shared commitment to strengthen capacity in higher education in Sub-Saharan African universities. From a sociological perspective, the author puts new philanthropic trends into historical context even as he examines the conditions under which philanthropy can be effective, the impasses that foundations often face, and the novel context in which philanthropy operates today. Continue reading “Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa”

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Dual Language Symposium’s networking event and panel at Goethe Institut New York

I was thrilled to take part in the panel discussion “The Future of Bilingual Education: Best Practice Models from the U.S. and Abroad”” organized by the Goethe-Institut New York. The symposium gathered teachers, school aministrators and parents. It was also the chance to support NYC’s first German dual language program opening next year at P.S. 17 in Brooklyn. Continue reading “Dual Language Symposium’s networking event and panel at Goethe Institut New York”

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[RU] Русская двуязычная инициатива, направленная на открытие программы на Манхэттене

Я был рад председательствовать в комиссии по продвижению двуязычного образования в Нью-Йорке и одновременно поддержать инициативу русской двуязычной программы. Continue reading “[RU] Русская двуязычная инициатива, направленная на открытие программы на Манхэттене”

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The Russian dual language program initiative looking to open a program in Manhattan

I was happy to moderate a panel on the promotion of bilingual education in New York City and to support at the same time the Russian dual language program (DLP) initiative.

The panel was organized by the Russian DLP initiative and the Harriman Institute at Columbia University. The event focused on establishing a Russian dual language program at a public elementary school on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and invited parents, educators, and community organizations. Continue reading “The Russian dual language program initiative looking to open a program in Manhattan”

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Thomas Asher, Social Science Research Council, 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”

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Richard Arum, Dean, School of Education, University of California Irvine, 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”