The Foreign Service Journal, April 2016

42 APRIL 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL A first phase might be to establish autonomous programs within existing African universities in which online instruction, both asynchronous (e.g., MOOCs) and synchronous (real- time), is done. A small team of American staff would adminis- ter the courses and exams and maintain the network. Ameri- can universities would be contracted to provide instruction. Perhaps hybrid education systems made up of a combination of online and conventional classrooms and laboratory teaching is the way to go. In the next phase, an American university can be started in an African country—one out of, say, a half-dozen we approach—that offers the best package of local resources: e.g., land allocation, loan programs for students and infrastructure support. Existing infrastructure can be used, such as a former school or urban building complex. Enrollment would be small in the first couple of years, until faculty and administrators gain experience and a fuller vision of what is needed. Africans are supremely adaptable when it comes to utilizing transitional, limited resources, I have found. The challenges will be many, but I believe the potential gains far outweigh the costs. Africa needs, above all, to build from the ground up via its own resources and efforts. Access to affordable, rigorous university education can be the foundation for this. These American universities would not only elevate the current standard of higher education in most of these countries, but could do the same at lower levels. On a strategic level, graduates of these schools could very well become their countries’ leaders. But perhaps the best reason of all to try it is this: We cannot continue to waste dwindling U.S. foreign assistance on inef- fectual programs. It is time for us to make a lasting difference in the developing world. (Please join my Facebook discussion page on this topic: American Universities Africa Vision at www.facebook.com/ groups/americanuniversitiesafrica.) n On a strategic level, graduates of these schools could very well become their countries’ leaders.