To respond to the need for more cost-effective graduate education in Africa, Howard University, the University of the Western Cape, and the University of Nairobi promoted joint graduate degree programs at U.S. and African higher education institutions in development-related disciplines. A symposium at the University of the Western Cape in February 2000 drew 100 academic leaders from the United States and 23 African countries.

The partnership’s steering committee awarded 10 mini-grants to foster academic partnerships between U.S. and African institutions leading to the development of joint, postgraduate degrees in such disciplines as quality engineering, agricultural education, environmental sciences, women’s studies, and communication disorders. Participating U.S. and African universities initiated 30 additional collaborations and planned to develop distance learning and non-degree programs.