Thursday, August 21, 2014

HBCUs Looking Abroad in Effort to Remain Competitive - Higher Education

HBCUs Looking Abroad in Effort to Remain Competitive - Higher Education: HBCUs have a rich heritage of educating generations of political, business and scientific leaders from Africa and Asia and developing partnerships with institutions overseas. For decades, many historically Black colleges also played a critical role in overseas development work.

But these days many HBCUs lag behind predominantly White institutions in international engagement. They are less likely to attract foreign students or send their own students abroad. Many are hobbled by weak finances and insufficient personnel. Some do not even have international student offices.

But given the consensus that producing college graduates who are competitive and possess the requisite skills to succeed in a global marketplace is critical, there is growing concern that HBCUs, which award 22 percent of bachelor’s degrees to Black students, are being left behind.