Mapping the world of higher education – Danish Development Research Network.
This study:
- Summarises current models and mechanisms of leading bilateral and private donor organisations used in capacity building in research and research-based education and their feasibility, success and outcome
- Develops an inventory of key issues and solutions applied in the programs reviewed
- Provides an overview and opinion on the extent to which the programs reviewed have integrated typical network functions such as communication and knowledge sharing into their support of capacity building
A key aspect of the study is the recognition that past shortfalls in funding for tertiary education have to do with the assessment that the return to investment of higher education was lower than that of basic education. This original assessment by the World Bank only focused on the direct market based returns to investment and did not consider non-market returns (e.g. research) and positive externalities (e.g. people who go to university are more likely to support human rights, good governance, etc.).
Why is this relevant for think tanks? Well, because many think tanks are based within or are associated to universities -their researchers being lecturers or professors. And a key function of think tanks (to develop the future cadres of policymakers) actually takes place in the lecture halls of universities.
More on this can be found at the Ministerial conference on higher education in agriculture in Africa (CHEA) – Pre-conference event.