Higher Education Institutions as Pavilions of Diversity: Opportunities and Challenges –The Case of Bahir Dar University
Keywords:
diversity; opportunities and challenges; higher education institutions
Abstract
This study looks into the opportunities and challenges experienced at higher education institutions. A qualitative instrumental case study design was employed. To generate data from the purposefully selected research participants, interview and focus group discussion were used. The study revealed that the diversity that exists in Bahir Dar University is more of a challenge than an opportunity. Even though the University has experienced many diversity challenges and some ethnic-based conflicts, it has no planned strategies to better manage on-campus conflicts and diversity. The research also revealed that though the educational challenges of diversity are on a much smaller scale in Bahir Dar University compared to some universities in America and Europe, where diversity is a serious problem of education. There are clues to show that the educational challenges of diversity are increasing considerably.
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References
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ACE & AAUP. (2000). Does Diversity Make a Difference? Three Research Studies on Diversity in College Classrooms. Washington, DC: ACE and AAUP.
Banks, J., et al. (2005). Democracy and Diversity: Principles and Concepts for Educating Citizens in a Global Age. Center for Multicultural Education, College of Education, University of Washington, Seattle.
Cox, T. (1993). Cultural Diversity in Organizations: Theory, Research and Practice. San Francisco: Berrette-Koehhler Publishers.
Cross, M. (2004). Institutionalizing Campus Diversity in South African Higher Education: Review of Diversity Scholarship and Diversity Education. Higher Education, 47, 387-410.
Daniel, J. (2007). Peace and Conflict Resolution in a Globalised World: Issues of culturalism: Can Higher Education Make a Difference? Presented on International Conference: Commonwealth of Learning, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, 6 January 2007. Retrieved on November 27, 2007 from http://www.col.org/colweb/site/pid/4305.
Douglas, K. (2000). Cultural Diversity: Concepts and Ideology as a Pedagogical Resource. In: Leicester, M., Modgil, C. and Modgil, S. (Eds.). Classroom Issues: Practice, Pedagogy and Curriculum. Vol. III. London: Flamer Press.
Gurin, P. (2000). New Research on the Benefits of Diversity in College and Beyond: An Empirical Analysis. University of Michigan: USA.
Gurin, et al. (2002). Diversity and Higher Education: Theory and Impact on Higher Educational Outcomes. Harvard Educational Review, Vol. 72, No. 3, 330-366.
Hesch, R. (1999). Culturally Relevant Teacher Education: A Canadian Inner-city Case. Canadian Journal of Education, Vol. 24, No. 4, 369-382.
Habtamu, W. (1998). Conflict Resolution in the Families of Nine Ethnic Groups in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Journal of Education, XVIII (2), 1-17.
Johnson, D. & Johnson, R. (2000). Cooperative Learning, Values, and Culturally Plural Classrooms. In: Leicester, Mal; Modgil Celia; Modgil, Sohan (Eds.). Education, Culture and Values: Classroom Issues: Practice, Pedagogy and Curriculum. Vol. III, London: Falmer Press, 15-28.
Maruyama, G. & Moreno, F. (2000). University Faculty Views about the Value of Diversity on Campus and in the Classroom. Does Diversity Make a Difference? Three Research Studies on Diversity in College Classrooms. Washington, D.C.: American Council on Education (ACE) and American Association of University Professors (AAUP), pp. 9-35.
Miller, C. (2004). A Glossary of Terms and Concepts in Peace and Conflict Studies (2nd Ed.) King, Mary E. Geneva: University for Peace.
Noguera, P. (1999). Confronting the Challenge of Diversity in Education. In Motion Magazine, April 10, 1999. Retrieved on November 15, 2007 from http:// www. inmotionmagazine.com/pndivers.html.
Sarantakos, S. (1998). Social Research. London: Macmillan press limited.
Smith, D. et al. (1997). Diversity Works: The Emerging Picture of How Students Benefit. Washington D.C.: Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU).
Taylor, O. (1990). Cross-cultural Communication: An Essential Dimension of Effective Education. Revised Edition. The Mid-Atlantic Equity Center.
Tilahun, B. (2007). Management of On-campus Conflict among Students of Diverse Background: A Multicultural Perspective – the Case of Bahir Dar University. Unpublished MA Thesis, Addis Ababa University.
UNESCO. (2000). Education for All: Meeting Our Collective Commitments. Adopted by the World Education Forum. Dakar, Senegal, 26-28 April 2000.
UNESCO. (2002). EFA: Global Monitoring Report. Education For All: Is The World on Track? Paris: UNESCO.
Wardle, F. (1998). Meeting the Needs of Multiracial and Multiethnic Children in Early Childhood Settings. Early Childhood Education Journal, 26, (1), 7-11.
WISELI. (2004). Benefits and Challenges of Diversity. The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin system. Retrieved on August 25, 2006 from http://wiseli.engr. wisc.edu/initiatives/climate/Benefits_Challenges.pdf.
Published
2007-06-02
Section
Articles