PHASE 1: Conduct background research and gain support of leaders and stakeholders (2006-2007)
Research higher education needs, trends, and challenges in Africa and Angola — completed. Conduct feasibility study — Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University — completed 2006.
Develop preliminary draft plan for University Project based on research of trends and findings of feasibility study — completed.
Recruit Board of Trustees, to include international representatives from U.S., Europe, and Africa with experience in setting up private universities — in process.
Send delegation of eight leaders and supporters of the University Project to Angola to meet with government and business leaders in Angola — June 2007.
Complete a needs assessment in cooperation with Angola’s government, business and education leaders to identify the most pressing needs and strategic opportunities for a new university to address — During June 2007 Delegation to Angola.
Clarify university accreditation process and requirements in Angola and the Angolan higher education regulations.
PHASE 2: Fine-tune vision and strategic plan (2006-2007)
Use findings from June 2007 delegation to fine-tune expectations, vision, goals, and timeline. Develop budget to support the strategic plan.
PHASE 3: Seek funding support and in-kind donations for planning and implementation (2006-2008)
Make connections and build relationships with appropriate public and private funding entities.
Apply for multi-year grants and matching grants.
Seek in-kind donations and pro-bono expertise.
Continue to recruit supporters and volunteers.
Formalize partnerships with letters of agreement.
Adjust budget and goals and timeline appropriately based on actual funding received, requirements of funders, reporting requirements, etc.
PHASE 4: Establish University structures, relationships, and administrative supports (2007-2008)
Hire project director and other project staff including fundraising professional, business manager, etc.
Establish University website to facilitate information sharing among staff, stakeholders, partners, and funders.
Present at UNESCO International Conference on Quality Assurance in Higher Education in Africa: September 4-6, 2007, in Tanzania.
Formally incorporate the University as a legal academic institution. (Consider relevant Angolan and U.S. regulations and laws pertaining to higher education institutions.)
Clarify and formalize respective roles of Board of Trustees and staff.
Begin to clarify and formalize all public/private partnerships and collaborations.
PHASE 5: Conduct week-long Angolan higher education summit, inviting Angolan, African, and international leaders in education, business, community, and government (2008)
Note: We will ask INHEA (International Network of Higher Education in Africa) to co-sponsor.
Preliminary Purposes of the Summit:
- » Raise visibility of Africa and Angola’s university crisis.
- » Understand the larger context: globalization, development of Africa/Angola, emigration of many educated people, institutions of civil society, and competitive participation in the information age.
- » Articulate higher education skills and knowledge bases needed to further Angola’s development (technical skills, communication skills, management skills, leadership skills, team skills, etc.).
- » Learn about Africa’s and Angola’s challenges and higher education needs.
- » Conduct workshops on relevant best practices in higher education and strategies that can be applied/adapted in Angola and throughout Africa (e.g., Catholic University of Angola’s Working Partnership to link Angola’s business needs with academic development; internships that allow students to apply what they learn and contribute in the world of work; mentoring programs linking students with business and community leaders).
- » Highlight effective public/private education partnerships and collaborations within Angola, and other African countries, also those from the U.S. and internationally (e.g., Joint Research Center established by Catholic University of Angola to Angolan universities’ research to the international research community).
Benefits of the Summit:
- » Establish common understandings among Angolan government, business, and university education leaders, and supporters about higher education challenges, priorities, and strategies in Angola.
- » Create momentum, support, commitment, and goodwill among participants.
- » Position the University’s founders as leaders and partners in the future of Angolan higher education.
- » Provide a model of how research and collaboration can be effectively combined to improve the higher (and primary and secondary) education system.
- » Establish networks and relationships that can be leveraged in the future for public/private partnerships and collaborations on specific University projects.
PHASE 6: Choose the University’s educational focus (degrees, academic curriculum, courses and instruction models); identify student requirements, size of student body; and recruit faculty and staff (2008-2009)
Note: Activities for this phase are “iterative” in nature. They require an integrated and interdisciplinary approach for simultaneously taking into consideration: University focus, curriculum, student requirements, and selecting appropriate and available faculty and staff to achieve the focus and meet student needs.
- » Use findings and lessons learned from the “University Education Summit” to shape the University’s focus and priorities (degrees, courses, and instruction models). The University needs to be seen as a useful partner to government, business, and the NGO community in Angola so the input of those sector leaders will help shape the focus of the University.
- » Assemble a qualified working team of U.S. and Angolan education, business, NGO, and government leaders to fulfill activities of this phase. This interdisciplinary team can provide the seeds of ongoing advisory councils for various parts of the University.
- » Determine how many students the University can support with full scholarships for tuition, room and board.
- » Collaborate and coordinate with universities such as the Northwestern University, Fulbright Program and the University of Chicago to provide highly trained professors to be advisors and perhaps teach at the University as well as to provide parameters for an effective education quality control.
- » Recruit faculty within Angola and internationally to teach at the University.
Preliminary suggestions for University focus (degrees, courses, models):
- » English department to equip students to pursue higher education taught according to western standards;
- » Business administration program to produce highly trained human resources to staff businesses throughout Angola;
- » Science and technology programs to foster entrepreneurship within Angola by embracing science and technology to turn local business initiatives into efficient and effective means to respond to global economy needs;
- » Peace, conflict, and alternative dispute resolution systems and development program that will nurture a culture of peace and sustainable development.
Employ best practices and models to expand learning opportunities
Examples to consider include:
- » Establish information centers which can complement the small size of the University campus by establishing information centers throughout Bié province where students can have access to learning material through the Internet and/or any other media.
- » Use eGranary (which delivers internet materials to institutions without full Internet access) and other resources, to set up distance learning centers in public places where students can have access to learning resources throughout the world.
- » Use the University of South Africa’s (UNISA’s) model to accommodate students, mainly women whose education pursuit was put on hold by the Angolan civil war and other underprivileged students who cannot attend the University full time. This model gives students short-term access to professors for coaching sessions on how they can use the resources at the learning centers for their individual studies.
Develop public/private partnerships to create internship opportunities for students to apply what they are learning in real world projects and jobs in the business, government, and NGO sectors. Create a mentor program by recruiting business, government, and NGO leaders to serve as mentors to students and help them begin to network for future jobs and positions.
PHASE 7: Create, publish, and distribute marketing materials, catalog of University offerings, and student application process (2008-2009)
Expand University website to include items below.
- » Draft catalog of University offerings.
- » Draft student application process and application forms.
- » Draft marketing materials.
- » Publish and distribute marketing materials, University catalog, and student application forms.
PHASE 8: Design, build and maintain University campus (2009-2015)
Determine if campus will be a commuter campus or will include dormitories for full-time students. Research successful models for the physical design of the University.
Hire architect to design University campus buildings using criteria and ideas set forth in Phase 6.
Develop a comprehensive design with different buildings phased in over time.
Review architect plans and approve.
Hire Angolan general contractor to build University campus buildings.
Begin construction.
Collaborate with the Angolan government and other Angolan agencies and businesses to insure that Angolan resources are leveraged with international resources in building the University campus.
Identify and acquire educational materials, supplies, and equipment necessary for the particular course offerings, seek out all materials and supplies that are needed (internet access, computers, text books, PowerPoint projectors, flipchart stands, blackboards, maps, televisions, desks, chairs, tables, research library, etc.).
PHASE 9: Review and Accept First (and Subsequent) Class of Students to Attend University (2009-2015)
Establish an admissions committee to establish criteria for admission.
Select qualified students who meet the admission criteria.
Inform students of admissions committee decisions.
Send orientation package to new students.
PHASE 10: Open University to the First Class of Students and Begin Teaching (2010)
Welcome and orient new faculty to the campus and their living situations.
Welcome and orient new students to the campus.
Begin classes!
PHASE 11: Evaluate University on all levels, continuously improve, and maintain accountability (2010-2015)
Establish quality controls and systems for continuous improvement throughout University.
Evaluate University administrators.
Evaluate faculty.
Evaluate students.
Use evaluation information to continuously improve teaching and learning.
Evaluate and improve partnerships and collaborations with Angolan government, business community, funders, etc.
Provide regular progress and financial reports to University Board of Trustees, all stakeholders and funders.
Maintain systems of transparent accountability.
PHASE 11: Evaluate University on all levels, continuously improve, and maintain accountability (2010-2015)