HS MISC: Guide to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

GUIDE TO TEACHING AND LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION The Forum of students associations in Africa formulated the following proposals for action, which constitute the students’ vision on the role of higher education in t ...

GUIDE TO TEACHING AND LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION The Forum of students associations in Africa formulated the following proposals for action, which constitute the students’ vision on the role of higher education in the construction of a new society. IMPROVING THE RELEVANCE OF EDUCATION  The forum urge Member States to establish educational programmes capable not only of responding effectively to the constant changes in the labour market, but also of anticipating rather than enduring them.  Taking into account the saturation of employment opportunities in the public service and the worsening of the phenomenon of graduate unemployment, the forum recommends the establishment of appropriate higher educational systems to train graduates who can constantly update and improve their knowledge and skills and also create jobs.  The forum also recommends that necessary measures be taken by Member states to enable graduates willing to create jobs to secure funding for their projects.  The forum considers that, in carrying out their mission of providing services to the community, higher educational institutions should give greater importance to civic education so as to promote human rights, tolerance and a culture of peace and democracy.  The forum recommends the establishments of partnership between Faculties/Schools and enterprises to enable the higher educational institutions to take account of enterprises’ needs and provide students opportunities for research, and internships in the enterprises.  The forum recommends that higher educational institutions organise periodic tracer studies and conduct surveys among employers to ensure a regular adaptation of curricula to the expansion of knowledge and the changes in job market.  The forum stressed the need for higher educational institutions to help students secure funds for research as well as access to the new information and communication technologies. Source: HIGHER EDUCATION FOR A NEW AFRICA: A STUDENTS’ VISION FORUM OF STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS IN AFRICA ON HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY, ACCRA (GHANA) 23 – 25 MARCH, 1998 GUIDE TO TEACHING AND LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION MODULE 1:Understanding the Higher Education Learner 1.3  The forum considers that it is necessary to set up appropriate mechanisms for monitoring and assessing the accomplishment of missions set for higher educational institutions. ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION  The forum recommends that each member state set up and/or strengthens structures to monitor and assess the quality of services provided by higher educational institutions as part of their functions.  The forum recommends that higher educational institutions set up mechanisms for the assessment of the academic staff by students.  The forum recommends that member states take necessary measures to ensure that the entire university community, including students, enjoy more conducive living and working conditions. Article 10. Higher education personnel and students as major actors c. National and Institutional decision-makers should place students and their needs at the centre of their concerns, and should consider them as major partners and responsible stakeholders in the renewal of higher education. This should include student involvement in issues that affect that level of education, in evaluation, the renovation of teaching methods and curricula and, in the institutional framework in force, in policy-formulation and institutional management. As students have the right to organise and represent themselves, students' involvement in these issues should be guaranteed.