Development cooperation
Nuffic was founded to help strengthen higher education in developing countries. Sixty years on, there are still many valid reasons for Nuffic to focus on capacity building in the higher education sector.
It is in the interests of both developed and developing countries to strengthen the knowledge infrastructure and capacity in developing countries and to forge links with global and regional knowledge networks. International cooperation in education and research can contribute to the sustainable development of the world as a whole.
Individual approach needed
In order to be effective, institutions and staff members involved in cooperation need to have the right level of knowledge about their counterparts and the countries and regions they operate in. They also need to be able to cope with the differences in local systems, ideas and cultures. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to higher education development in different countries.
Local context is key
Collaboration with developing countries also requires expertise in the modes and instruments of cooperation and how these can best be adapted to local circumstances. It also requires a certain level of coordination between the various international actors involved in development cooperation. Cooperation will only be efficient and effective when cooperation strategies are adapted to local contexts and the various international collaboration initiatives are well coordinated.
This dossier focuses on both the various actors and instruments in international development cooperation as well as on the local educational context in a wide range of developing countries.
Suggested reading
Country report Mozambique(7.5 MB)
Complexities of gender mainstreaming in higher education capacity development programmes(6.8 MB)