Higher Education for Development (HED), with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of State, brings together U.S. and host-country higher education institutions in partnerships that build institutional and human capacity in developing countries.
These partnerships improve lives in the host countries through the development of curricula, research opportunities and community engagement. From faculty jointly establishing a solar technology degree program in Jordan to students forming their own accounting firm in Kosovo, HED is an engine of social and economic change.
In 2011, HED managed 75 partnerships in 35 countries. Some of HED’s present and past projects focus on:
- Solar Technology: Red Rocks Community College (CO) and Al-Huson University College in Jordan established the first associate-level degree program in solar energy technology in the Middle East. The collaboration plays a significant role in helping Jordan create career pathways in solar energy and expand employment opportunities.
- Safe Water: A partnership between State University of New York, Albany and Makerere University in Uganda introduced the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Methodology to the residents of Kikulu and Ngandu. As part of the project, residents were trained on how to inexpensively chlorinate contaminated water.
- Business Development: A project between Arizona State University and the University of Prishtina (UP) in Kosovo led to the establishment of a bachelor’s degree program in accounting at UP. Some of the participating students also went on to form an accounting firm in Kosovo.
- Health Infrastructure: A partnership with Case Western Reserve University (OH), the National University of Laos, Khon Kaen University and two nonprofit organizations resulted in the establishment of the country’s first full-time postgraduate medical education programs for pediatrics and internal medicine.
- Training Teachers: The University at Buffalo (NY), the State University of New York and the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa collaborated to train 400 high school math teachers in rural and other high-need areas.
To learn about HED partnership achievements, read more success stories.
Established in 1992, HED mobilizes the expertise and resources of the higher education community to address global development challenges. It assists the nation's six major higher education associations, including ACE, in partnering with USAID, the State Department, donor organizations and foundations.