Egypt held a meeting of the Higher Consultative Committee for Human Capital Development. The meeting discussed measures to improve the education and healthcare systems, according to Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, emphasised the importance of integrating these spheres to create a healthy and educated generation. The participants of the meeting paid special attention to the development of early childhood programmes, expansion of the network…

Education remains a highly contentious subject in the African context. Historically, it has served as both a powerful instrument of empowerment, opening avenues for individual and societal advancement, and a tool of insidious subjugation, used to enforce colonial ideologies and erode indigenous knowledge systems. The enduring intersection of knowledge, power and the lingering residue of colonial legacy continues to shape contemporary debates. As such, this creates a fraught terrain where questions of who is deemed ‘educated’ and whose knowledge systems…

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday stressed strengthening the role of education in supporting scientific and technological advancement as well as talent development. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for a deep understanding of the needs of Chinese modernization for education, science and technology, and talent. The goal is to cultivate a steady stream of talent, unlock their full potential, and ensure their abilities are…

Professors from the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS), a partner of TV BRICS, travelled to the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis, to conduct a series of master classes on acting, stage speech and stage movement. Participants in the intensive training included students, aspiring actors and teachers looking to deepen their knowledge of theatre arts. The programme started with a master class by Ruslan Nasibulin, a senior lecturer of the Department of Stage Plastics at GITIS. Under his guidance, students performed…

Egypt has solidified its position as a key destination for higher education and scientific research in Africa, with 43,824 African students from 39 countries currently enrolled in Egyptian universities. This is reported by Sada El-Balad, a partner of TV BRICS. This figure represents 44 per cent of all international students in the country, reflecting the confidence African nations place in Egypt’s academic institutions, according to Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour. The Minister highlighted Egypt’s progress in…

The International Youth Forum “Russia-Africa: Nuclear Education – Potential for Successful Regional Development” at the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University) brought together 300 experts from 30 countries. The specialists discussed radiation safety in mining, application of artificial intelligence in nuclear medicine, ecobiotechnology, mining, and geological information systems. Pavel Shevtsov, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, noted in an exclusive commentary to TV BRICS that Russia is implementing a large number of nuclear technology projects on the African…

South Africa has a new chairwoman at the helm of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). My esteemed colleague, Dr. Karen Stander, a senior lecturer in the Department of Business Management at Unisa’s College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS), has stepped into a role riddled with complexities. Yet, her appointment, while worth celebrating—also signals something more troubling: the ever-persistent reality of the glass cliff. Dr. Stander’s appointment by the Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, as…

The University of South Africa (UNISA) has described Dr Karen Stander’s appointment as chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board as an indication that its staff and graduates are among the sought after industry leaders in the country and beyond. Dr Stander, a senior lecturer in UNISA’s College of Economic and Management Sciences, was appointed by Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane to lead the embattled NSFAS for a four-year term starting 1 February 2025.  She…

In recent years, universities have come under scrutiny for adopting an authoritarian leadership style and culture characterised by hierarchy, command-and-control decision-making, and rigid adherence to authority. This leadership, inspired by authoritarian efficiency, poses significant challenges when applied to academic institutions. Universities, as hubs of knowledge and creativity, require leadership styles that align with their unique missions of fostering critical thinking, innovation, and inclusivity. An authoritarian leadership style thrives on hierarchy, discipline, and a clear chain of command. While such structures…

The matric results came out this week: Free State came out tops, and Limpopo was at the bottom. At least that is what we are supposed to read from the percentages in order to be joyous or sad. The debate as usual will continue to focus on trivial things like the reasons why Limpopo is has the lowest pass mark or which kid got most distinctions. This is indicative of how far we continue to miss the point. South Africa…