– Higher education is a prerequisite for development
Why does Norway support higher education in developing countries? Norad Senior Adviser Tor Øyvind Rand explains.
Higher education is crucial for countries to build strong societies and become less dependent on aid. This is why Norway supports higher education in developing countries.
– Countries need people with a solid education and strong academic communities that can be sustained over time if they are to build health services, educate teachers, develop businesses, strengthen public administration and generate new knowledge, explains Tor Øyvind Rand, Senior Adviser at Norad.
The aim of Norwegian aid for higher education is not simply for individuals to obtain a degree, but for countries to develop stronger universities, research communities and institutions. When more people can study in their home country or region, there is a greater chance that their expertise will remain where the needs are greatest.
– Higher education is not a luxury. It is a prerequisite for development, Rand emphasises.
In the long term, this is about enabling countries to better address their own challenges – with their own experts. Teachers, nurses, engineers and leaders are needed in every society, and they are developed through education.
Support for South-South cooperation
Norwegian support includes cooperation between universities and academic communities in the Global South, often in partnership with Norwegian universities and university colleges. The aim is to contribute to better teaching, more relevant research, stronger education systems and good governance more broadly.
Increasing the expertise of academic staff at universities is key to strengthening the quality of teaching. This is why education and research scholarships for university faculty members in the Global South are prioritised. Degrees are completed locally, but may include periods of study in Norway.
– Support for higher education is support for nation-building, independence and sustainable development, Rand emphasises.