Expanding Educational Partnerships in Africa

In recent years, and in support of the University’s interest in establishing linkages on the African continent, the Center has demonstrated a strong commitment to African educational initiatives, particularly in South Africa and Kenya.  What follows is a brief summary of the College of Education’s recent involvement in Africa:

1998 – Spreading our lessons in multiculturalism. The College and Graduate School of Education hosts visiting scholar, David Langley, from the South African College of Teacher Education (SACTE).  Dr. Kenneth Cushner, Associate Dean of Student Life and Intercultural Affairs, is invited to SACTE in Pretoria, South Africa, where he gave a formal presentation titled “Multicultural Education in the United States.”

1999 – Setting the framework for consultation and exchange.  In line with its tradition of welcoming international scholars, the CIIE invites Dr. Prakash Singh, a Professor at Vista University - Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to visit KSU.  Meanwhile, Dr. Steve Michael, current Associate Provost, begins work as a U.S. consultant to the newly established Educational Management Association of South Africa (EMASA).  In addition, a formal Agreement of Understanding is established between KSU and Vista University, through the latter’s Department of Educational Management.

2000 – Academic and student exchanges.  Six University faculty members and doctoral students present research at the annual EMASA Conference in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.  In addition, Drs. Cushner and Michael join with then KSU faculty member Dr. Beverly Shaklee to conduct workshops at Vista University.  The group also assists in efforts to establish ties with the University of Cape Town.  Both the University of Cape Town and Vista University begin to serve as placement sites for the Consortium of Overseas Student Teaching (COST), a collaborative effort among universities to provide quality student teaching opportunities in settings outside the United States (www.teachabroad.ua.edu).  

2001 – KSU President speaks in South Africa.  Kent State University President Dr. Carol Cartwright and five faculty members and doctoral students travel to South Africa to meet with university and Ministry of Education officials in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.  Each individual presents research at the annual EMASA Conference, with President Cartwright and Dr. Cushner presenting keynote addresses.  Drs. Cartwright, Cushner and Michael are honored by EMASA for their contributions to the association.

2002 – Relationships established in southern Kenya. Dr. Cushner spends one month of his sabbatical at the Taita Discovery Centre (TDC), an educational facility in Kenya’s Tsavo region that is devoted to conservation and education.  In late February and early March, relationships are established with six schools in five villages associated with the work of the TDC.  In addition, a curriculum development project related to local culture and conservation is initiated.

Drawing U.S. educators to the Tsavo-Kasigau Wildlife Corridor.  In July, Dr. Cushner returns to TDC with a group of educators on a two-week exploratory visit.  Participants include Drs. Rich Ambrose and Wendy Sherman, Professors in the Teaching, Leadership and Curriculum Studies Department, as well as two area elementary and special educators.  The five-member party further develops the curriculum project and explored possibilities for continued work in the schools and communities.  Inquiries into grant opportunities are being explored. Project is on-going.

2003- Ties established with Kenyatta University.  The five-member group goes on to meet with Kenyatta University’s Vice-Chancellor, Associate Dean of Education and Chair of the early child development department to explore formal linkages and collaborative work.  Kenyatta University agrees to provide student teaching opportunities for KSU students.  A formal Memorandum of Understanding was signed by university presidents in 2003.  Kent State University and Kenyatta University co-sponsored the conference, “Enhancing Literacy for Holistic Development”, held at Kenyatta University, July 19 – 23, 2004.  Dr. Cushner presented the keynote address, “Improving the Capacity of Stakeholders to Integrate Effective Educational Programmes: Cross-Cultural Considerations.”  Six other Kent State faculty and graduate students also make presentations.

Exploring local culture and professional development opportunities.  Since the beginning, Kent State faculty have delivered a series of professional development workshops for local Kasigau teachers.  Drs. Cushner, Ambrose, Sherman, Bruneau and others have made six visits in the past two years and are continuing to work with village teachers in the Tsavo-Kasigau Wildlife Corridor to document aspects of local culture and compile accounts of the history of the people and region. 

2005 Continuing the Work:  The work in Kenya also expanded into nation building activities and continued in its environmental conservation work as well.  July 2005 Drs. Kenneth Cushner, Richard Ambrose, Wendy Kasten, Andrew Gilbert, and 4 students returned to the Tsavo Discovery Center and to Kenyatta University to conduct workshops with teachers, continue projects in curriculum development, and advance the  research on teachers in these marginalized areas of Kenya.