Africa
Seeking new ways of working and broadening partnerships for impact
About GINTL Africa
GINTL Africa builds upon existing partnerships and successes of collaboration with higher education institutions in African countries. We tap into the institutional expertise and experience of our 20 Finnish higher education institutions and African partner institutions for the benefit of the network and simultaneously look for new and innovative ways of working.
We welcome and support different actors to participate in joint activities in areas of teaching, research and societal impact in higher education institutions. While some activities may be open, especially for staff and students in African and Finnish higher education institutions, we also serve as a platform for inviting organisations and individuals who are interested in research-based collaborations in the GINTL focus areas.
The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture’s Global programme includes several networks active in Africa. To find out more about our sister networks, visit: FAPI, SAFINET and EDUCase.
GINTL Africa Coordination
Events
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GINTL Coffee Chat with the University of the Arts Helsinki: “Impact of GINTL research projects on teaching and learning”
Africa, China, India, Global
Main topics: GINTL Coffee Chats, GINTL Network
Welcome to the first GINTL Coffee Chat for 2023 with guest speakers Heli Kauppila and Marika Orenius from the University of the Arts Helsinki. The session will focus on the on the topic of the transfer of (GINTL) research project knowledge and learnings into teaching, learning, and university development. Join us for an online conversation and opportunities to share about your current work.
Webinar: Funding opportunities for collaboration with Africa 2023
AfricaOpen for all
Main topic: Funding opportunities
A webinar on funding opportunities is organised to share information and facilitate collaborations between academics and other actors in Finland and in Africa. The main objective of the event is to share information on Africa-focused funding mechanisms and current opportunities from a variety of sources. The target groups for this event are faculty and staff of Finnish higher education institutions (HEIs).
GINTL Coffee Chat with the University of Turku: “International collaboration in the post COVID-19 era – implications for future adaptation”
Africa, China, India, GlobalOpen for all
Main topics: GINTL Coffee Chats, GINTL Network
Welcome to the August GINTL Coffee Chat with guest speaker Prof. Marjaana Veermans from the University of Turku on the topic of “International collaboration in the post COVID-19 era – implications for future adaptation”. Join us for an online conversation and opportunities to share about your current work.
Africa Day celebration at the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Educational Sciences
AfricaOpen for all
Main topics: Research Ethics, Sustainable Partnerships
You are warmly welcome to join us in exploring possibilities around Africa-related themes and activities in the field of educational sciences. The Faculty of Educational Sciences invites you on the 25 May 2022, 9:00–12:00, to participate in a morning of sharing and learning and a cup of coffee or tea with some small treats!
Collaboration in the region
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Research-based and future-oriented curriculum review and development for teacher education in Kenya (REFORD)
The REFORD Project refers to “research-based and future-oriented curriculum review and development for teacher education” at the University of Nairobi and Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya. It aims to support students to acquire skills needed in 21st century life and the labour market. The project curriculum will align with the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), launched for basic education in Kenya in 2017. The current focus is on rolling out CBC in higher education institutions and teacher education. The research to be conducted under the proposed project will specifically strengthen the designing of curricula, improve the quality of delivery of teacher preparation programmes, and thus, strengthen the preparedness of the higher education institutions to implement the CBC. The future horizon is changing constantly. Education in the Global South must meet aspirations of sustainability. To expedite the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), educational structures need to provide relevant competences, models, and a future-oriented mindset that sustains our 21st century lives. This project received funding under the Spring 2022 GINTL Project Funding from the University of Helsinki.
New directions in development studies and sustainability: Reconsidering global challenges and local realities
The “New directions in development studies and sustainability: Reconsidering global challenges and local realities” project consists of collaboratively designed and delivered intensive courses, entailing exchange of development studies doctoral students and staff. It focuses on theoretical knowledge, writing and research skills as well as curriculum design collaboration, to provide significant long-term benefits to all partner institutions. The project structure consists of two in-person intensive course exchanges, two virtual exchanges, two virtual seminars as well as routine virtual team collaboration on curriculum development and coordination, joint research, and publication activities. Current paradigms and curricula in development studies around the world have become outdated and detached from global dynamics and local realities. This is clear when considering the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Analysis and understanding of the relationship between global challenges and localities is more relevant now than ever. The courses address topics proposed by the African partner HEIs, including: localisation of SDGs; multilateralism and recolonisation of Africa; climate change and agriculture; economic partnerships, trade, and international cooperation. This project received funding under the Spring 2022 GINTL Project Funding from the University of Helsinki.
Finland-Ghana collaboration in hybrid teacher education (CocoEd)
The CocoEd project develops research-based hybrid teaching and learning in Ghanaian teacher education. With digital technologies becoming powerful tools to enable remote communication, collaboration and learning, there is more flexibility to organise both virtual and face-to-face teaching and learning according to specific needs and the changing situation. This flexibility is especially important in areas lacking qualified teachers, but also in emergencies such as pandemics and political conflicts. The project seeks to research and develop feasible and practical alternative means for remote learning by paying attention that poor internet connection is a reality in Ghana. A Mini-ÅAU-Campus initiative by Åbo Akademi University provides an interesting research context to test, try, and research new solutions for hybrid pedagogy. The CocoEd project re-establishes, widens and strengthens the long-term collaboration between the University of Helsinki, Åbo Akademi University, and the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. This project received funding under the Spring 2022 GINTL Project Funding from the University of Helsinki.
Education for sustainable and rational approach to the use of medicinal plants in Benin: Co-constructive pedagogical strategy, research, and dissemination of good practices
Phytomedicine is an integral part of the healthcare system in many African countries, and in Benin 80% of population rely on medicinal plants as their primary source of medication. Our project is based on the idea that establishing a sustainable and rational approach to the use of medicinal plants in Benin requires complementary activities targeting both higher education on phytomedicinal research and the popularisation of good practices in medicinal plants use among traditional healers. Our four-step implementation plan will allow us to produce more precise data on training needs (step one), before strengthening teachers’ pedagogical practices (step 2), then strengthening researchers working in the field of the valorisation of medicinal plants (step 3) and finally impacting the actors of traditional medicine (step 4). Overall, these activities aim to promote internalization of teachers, researchers and students within the participating institutes and to promote long-lasting research and education collaborations between them. This project received funding under the Spring 2022 GINTL Project Funding from the University of Helsinki.
News
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Call for abstracts: GINTL Research seminar “International education development and internationalisation in education”
Africa, China, India, Global
Are you a master’s degree student with an ongoing or finished thesis work? Is your thesis topic related to international education development, educational partnerships, or internationalisation? If yes, you are most welcome to present your research at the GINTL Research seminar! The seminar takes place 27 April 2023 in Jyväskylä and online. It is organised for master’s degree students and other interested people, affiliated with one of the GINTL member institutions. Submit your abstract by 10 March 2023.
University of Turku collaboration on education and teaching in the Global South
Africa, India
Two seed-funded projects focusing on education and teaching facilitate cooperation with partners in Africa and India. Research on learning and education is recognised as one of the top priorities at the University of Turku. Through collaborative global cooperation projects in educational research, teacher training, and educational innovation, the University is committed to sharing and expanding its expertise in the field of education.
Five takeaways about global education: Key-learnings from attending the SDG-4 Seminar Jyväskylä in 2022
Africa, China, India, Global
How do you feel reading the news, nowadays? Do you sometimes also feel like a catastrophe is following the others? Have you ever thought about the influences of these catastrophes on global education? We live in a time of crisis. This has an impact not only on our personal lives, but also on education systems around the world. Catastrophes like the COVID-19 crisis, wars, and natural catastrophes are affecting formal education.
Takeaways from GINTL’s Symposium at the 2022 FERA Conference
Africa, Global
In late November, the GINTL team attended the annual FERA Conference at the University of Oulu. The 2022 edition was held under the theme ‘Multivocality in the Changing World of Education’ and was supported by keynote speakers Katariina Holma, Veli-Matti Värri, Sanna Järvelä, Kristine Lund, Outi Ylitapio-Mäntylä, and Karin Murris. On top of these great speeches and parallel sessions, GINTL hosted its very own symposium at the conference, bringing together education experts and academics from all over the world to discuss global partnerships in education development.
