33 research outputs found
Inequalities in higher education in low‐ and middle‐income countries:A scoping review of the literature
Motivation: Higher education is regarded as a key instrument to enhance socioeconomic mobility andreduce inequalities. Recent literature reviews have examined inequalities in the higher education systemsof high-income countries, but less is known about the situation in low- and middle-income countries,where higher education is expanding fast.Purpose: The article reviews the academic literature on higher education in low- and middle-incomecountries using a research framework inspired by social justice and capability approaches. It considers the financial, socio-cultural, human, and political resource domains on which people draw, and how they relate to access, participation, and outcomes in higher education.Methods: A literature search for studies explicitly discussing in-country inequalities in higher education revealed 22 publications. Substantial knowledge gaps remain, especially regarding the political (and decision-making) side of inequalities; the ideologies and philosophies underpinning higher education systems; and the linkages between resource domains, both micro and macro.Findings: The review highlights key elements for policy-makers and researchers: (1) the financial lens alone is insufficient to understand and tackle inequalities, since these are also shaped by human and other non-financial factors; (2) socio-cultural constructs are central in explaining unequal outcomes; and (3) inequalities develop throughout one’s life and need to be considered during, but also before and afterhigher education. The scope of inequalities is wide, and the literature offers a few ideas for short-term fixes such as part-time and online education.Policy implications: Inclusive policy frameworks for higher education should include explicit goals related to (in)equality, which are best measured in terms of the extent to which certain actions or choices are feasible for all. Policies in these frameworks, we argue, should go beyond providing financial support, and also address socio-cultural and human resource constraints and challenges in retention, performance, and labour market outcomes. Finally, they should consider relevant contextual determinants of inequalities.</p
Global recession and higher education in eastern Asia: China, Mongolia and Vietnam
This paper presents a perspective on the capacity of colleges and universities during past and present economic shocks. The main argument is that the environment of the global recession-an Asia far more economically integrated than during past economic shocks, with more unified aspirations to be globally competitive and socially responsible-no longer delay reforms in higher education. In fact, the global recession has become an opportune time for higher education in Asia, specifically developing countries in eastern (East and Southeast) Asia, to continue reforming governance and administration, access and equity, internal and external efficiency, and regional collaboration. Economic shocks have accelerated reforms in higher education, especially those for promoting innovation in their economies, though more is needed in improving governance and access for underserved populations. This paper examines the cases of China, Mongolia, and Vietnam as examples of how the global recession and regional integration are growing forces in shaping their higher education reform and development. The paper also identifies a series of measures for increasing the resilience of higher education systems in serving poor and vulnerable populations during economic recessions. Responses to the global economic recession by nations in eastern Asia are likely to improve the global shift in economy and human capital. © 2011 The Author(s).published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201
Realizing General Education: Reconsidering Conceptions and Renewing Practice
General Education is widely touted as an enduring distinctive of higher education in the United States (Association of American Colleges and Universities, [11]; Boyer, [37]; Gaston, [86]; Zakaria, [202]). The notion that undergraduate education demands wide‐ranging knowledge is a hallmark of U.S. college graduates that international educators emulate (Blumenstyk, [25]; Rhodes, [158]; Tsui, [181]). The veracity of this distinct educational vision is supported by the fact that approximately one third of the typically 120 credits required for the bachelor\u27s degree in the United States consist of general education courses (Lattuca & Stark, [120]). Realizing a general education has been understood to be central to achieving higher education\u27s larger purposes, making it a particularly salient concern
Self-medication with antibiotics for the treatment of menstrual symptoms in southwest Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Background: Self-medication with antibiotics is an important factor contributing to the development of bacterial
antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics
for the treatment of menstrual symptoms among university women in Southwest Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to female undergraduate and graduate students (n = 706) at
four universities in Southwest Nigeria in 2008. The universities were selected by convenience and the study
samples within each university were randomly selected cluster samples. The survey was self-administered and
included questions pertaining to menstrual symptoms, analgesic and antibiotic use patterns, and demographics.
Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.
Results: The response rate was 95.4%. Eighty-six percent (95% CI: 83-88%) of participants experienced menstrual
symptoms, and 39% (95% CI: 36-43%) reported using analgesics to treat them. Overall, 24% (95% CI: 21-27%) of
participants reported self-medicated use of antibiotics to treat the following menstrual symptoms: cramps, bloating,
heavy bleeding, headaches, pimples/acne, moodiness, tender breasts, backache, joint and muscle pain. Factors
associated with this usage were: lower levels of education (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1-7.1, p-value: 0.03); nonscience
major (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.03-2.50, p-value: 0.04); usage of analgesics (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 2.07-4.86, p-value:
<0.001); and mild to extreme heavy bleeding (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.01-2.67, p-value: 0.05) and pimples/acne (OR: 1.57,
95% CI: 0.98-2.54, p-value: 0.06). Ampicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and metronidazole were used to treat the
most symptoms. Doctors or nurses (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%), friends (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%) and family members (7%, 95% CI:
5-8%) were most likely to recommend the use of antibiotics for menstrual symptoms, while these drugs were most
often obtained from local chemists or pharmacists (10.2%, 95% CI: 8-12%).
Conclusions: This is the first formal study to report that approximately 1 out of 4 university women surveyed in
Southwest Nigeria self-medicate with antibiotics to treat menstrual symptoms. This practice could provide monthly,
low-dose exposures to antibiotics among users. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impacts of selfmedication
on student health
Higher Education in Developing Countries: Peril and Promise
Higher Education in Developing Countries: Peril and Promise is a report of the Independent Task Force on Higher Education and Society. It was published for the Task Force on Higher Education and Society by the World Bank in February 2000.
The dataset is a summary of the results of the report by the Task Force. It has been specially formatted for ease of printing