Linda Nordling writing in SciDev:
Stellenbosch University (SU) in South Africa has achieved a feat that could change how African universities view their financial plight.More here
Last month, the university announced it has attracted record investment from external sources amid the global economic downturn — showing what is possible with the right plan and good leadership.
Other African universities should look closely at the SU experience. A rise in science philanthropy, coupled with healthy economic growth in many African countries, means there is money for enterprising institutions to tap into.
But to follow in SU's footsteps, African universities must change. They must hire leaders with proven academic and fundraising talent. And they must draw up plans to guide investments in their institutions.