Higher Education and Covid-19 Pandemic: Matters Arising and the Challenges of Sustaining Academic Programs in Developing African Universities

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic to higher education by identifying matters arising and the challenges of sustaining academic programs with specific attention to developing universities in African context. In carrying out this study, secondary data analysis was conducted wherein systematic literature, policy documents, as well as related models between Covid-19 and Higher Education were reviewed. The findings from study indicated that the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed universities in different nations beyond their limits toward developing appropriate and creative alternatives such as transitioning to remote learning, training of academic staff in the use of online instruction materials and tools and encouraging students to complete their education requirements through online learning in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The present study explored higher education in the current and post Covid-19 pandemic in the global perspective thus fostering broad scope thereby affecting interpretations and generalizations. Findings from this study can be useful for researchers, policymakers, and university leadership in terms of developing policies and program as well as education contingency measures that can address future pandemic and support sustainable learning. As Covid-19 pandemic is a fairly new research area, this study makes an original contribution to the research base of higher education institutions (HEIs) and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Strategic Approach to Onsite Learning in the Era of SARS-Cov-2

“…For example, some institutions in Nigeria experienced problems with the supply of ICT hardware [68] while in Kenya, there was lack of digital tools such as mobile phones [66]. Some of the higher education institutions received limited funding to ensure the effective functioning of the online platform [62]. Some of the students who experienced the online learning also lamented on challenges associated with internet access.…”

Exploring Effective Practices in Managing Distance Learning for Teaching Art and Design in Bahrain

“…The coronavirus pandemic has started reconfiguring the teaching and learning process (Mukuna & Aloka, 2020) and reshaping art and design education, and changing how students are educated (Muftahu, 2020;Nili et al, 2017;Reimers & Schleicher, 2020). Although the crisis necessitated a hasty transition to e-learning (Kini-Singh, 2020), the solutions that educators around the world have explored and proposed for effective teaching could bring much-needed creativity and innovation (Li et al, 2021).…”

Emergency Remote Teaching during COVID-19: A Comparison of Student Perceptions

“…The sustainability of university education is one of the concerns expressed during the global COVID-19 epidemic. According to Muftahu (2020), the pandemic generated extremely difficult economic conditions that jeopardize university education's long-term viability. He further said that uncertainty and insufficient funding is likely to lead to a lack of support for university courses and potentially jeopardize the long-term viability of higher education.…”

“…The pandemic led all universities around the world to cancel classes, affecting the vast majority of the student population. Some institutions were able to offer remote learning or online education, but the majority of institutions were unprepared to respond quickly and mitigate the effects of COVID-19's absolute lockdown (Hodges et al, 2020;Schlesselman, 2020;Muftahu, 2020). It is the purpose of this paper to share the latest work-in-progress research concerning the perceived performance by undergraduate students concerning emergency remote teaching in two different geographical settings, i.e., Thailand and Sweden, and compare their perceptions.…”