DI: What do you see as the top challenges facing universities in South Africa?
BS: Diversity is a critical concern of higher education in South Africa, and universities struggle with the mandate to serve previously underrepresented and denied populations. Progress is being made, and ever-increasing numbers of different kinds of students faced with different kinds of needs are streaming into the universities.
At the same time, the universities have an obligation to create a campus culture and environment that is committed to accommodate these varied students and their needs. The need is to be concerned, not just with access, but with meaningful access.
DI: What’s next for you?
BS: From the South African experience, Stellenbosch University is going to take the lead on developing a national conclave on the first-year experience. Also, a group of U.S. college presidents are going to meet Sept. 23-27, 2007, in Sundance to discuss the best practices in ethical leadership at U.S. universities and the lessons we learned as presidents that can be helpful to universities worldwide. And next year in South Africa we want to meet with their country’s education leaders to discuss global ethical leadership and social responsibility for the common good.
- Staff
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