18: Global University Rankings

The Editor of Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Phil Baty, joins The Academic Citizen to discuss the importance of global university rankings and how they work. Baty says that rankings bodies use different criteria and methodologies to "rate" higher education institutions. Therefore, it is important to look beyond face value and deeper into the details of the data. We also chat to some students about their experiences with and understanding of global university rankings. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/279687817" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Follow the World University Rankings on Twitter. Photo Credit: Raquel Martínez

The Academic Citizen 24 August 2016

Podcast

15: The Politics of Language in HE

Dr Nomalanga Mkhize joins The Academic Citizen to think through the role of multiple languages in higher education. We explore how language shapes meaning and how assimilation to Anglo-Saxon norms and culture have influenced attitudes towards indigenous languages. She suggests that a multi-idiomatic approach could assist the transformation project in higher education institutions in South Africa. We also get some views from students who question the importance of language in South Africa's democratic era. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/275632818" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Read more about Nomalanga's views on language, history and education by following the links below: On Language and Disruptive Pedagogy Black social capital should not be wasted Education for the elite lacks local intelligence Learn more about Siyafunda: isiZulu, a children's language education initiative that is crowdfunding via Thundafund by following this link. Photo credit: Thomas Hawk

The Academic Citizen 27 July 2016

Podcast

12: The State of Higher Education in India

Explore the state of higher education in India. Professor Dilip Menon explains how the rise of Hindu nationalism and the adoption of neoliberal values have contributed to a climate of protest at higher education institutions like Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the University of Hyderabad. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/272469013" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Read more: Rohith Vemula - an unfinished portrait by the Hindustan Times Why India's student protests keep growing by Al Jazeera Protests to continue at Indian university after student leader's arrest by The Guardian Thousands in India Join Sedition Protest as Nationalism Debate Rages On by Time

The Academic Citizen 6 July 2016

Podcast

10: Why Universities Need Fees Income

As discussed in previous episodes, fees have become a major issue for universities in South Africa and beyond. Gerald Wangenge-Ouma joins The Academic Citizen to argue that the call for fee-free education is unrealistic. In his view, fees form an important part of funding for the university in order to maintain access and quality for students. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/269199089" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Read more about Gerald's research by visiting the links below: Tuition fees and the challenge of making higher education a popular commodity in South Africa South Africa and the illusion of free higher education Improvements in access, but participation rates still a problem Photo by Charlie Foster

The Academic Citizen 15 June 2016

Podcast

8: Transformation in Higher Education

In this week's episode, The Academic Citizen explores the topic of transformation within the context of South Africa. The show's guest, Nazeema Mohamed, outlines the necessity and challenges of bringing change to the higher education sector within a growing and evolving democracy. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/266941473" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Image by rawpixel.com

The Academic Citizen 1 June 2016

Podcast

7: The Importance of Academic Staff Unions

Academic Staff play an important role in universities. They teach students, research phenomena and help develop the status quo within the institutions that they work. As part of the labour force, they are entitled to liberties and protections enshrined in the Constitution. Professor David Hornsby joins The Academic Citizen to explain what academic staff unions are and why it is important to be unionised. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/265877443" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Photo by Ashley Adcox

The Academic Citizen 25 May 2016

Podcast

6: Protest Action on University Campuses

Dr Prishani Naidoo joins The Academic Citizen to discuss the politics of protest action within the context of university campuses in South Africa. The conversation centres around the university as a microcosm of society and the legitimacy of violent and non-violent forms of protest. The Academic Citizen also gains insight into students' perspectives on protest action and how it impacts their experiences at university. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/264710913" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Photo by Tony Carr

The Academic Citizen 18 May 2016

Podcast

3: Is Fee-Free Education Possible?

The #FeesMustFall movement ushered calls for transformation within higher education in South Africa, with fee-free education at the forefront. Dick Forslund explains why and how fee-free education can be made possible. The Academic Citizen also gathers some student voices on how they are impacted by fees. Read further on Dick's views by following the links below: The political budget crisis and alternatives to austerity, Part One The political budget crisis and alternatives to austerity, Part Two [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/261150494" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Photo by Mike Hutchings

The Academic Citizen 27 April 2016

Podcast

2: One Student Explains Why #FeesMustFall

The #FeesMustFall movement that emerged in October 2015 has changed the face of student participation within spaces of higher education, with protests breaking out at major universities all over South Africa. Join The Academic Citizen as we explore Shibu Motimele's view on why Fees Must Fall. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/260039934" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Photo by Paul Saad

The Academic Citizen 20 April 2016

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