The Development Partnerships in Higher Education (DelPHE) programme of Britain's Department for International Development (DFID) has delivered effective results at several levels, according to new studies commissioned through the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). The four case studies written by former Commonwealth Scholars in Ghana, Tanzania, Pakistan and Nigeria, identified benefits both in the direct outcomes of partnerships, and in the developing capacity of universities to support and manage partnerships.

According to ACU Deputy Secretary General, Dr John Kirkland, addressing a meeting to assess the impact of DelPHE convened by the British Council in Nairobi last week, outcomes clearly indicated the continuing role that higher education plays in development. 'It is important to remember that, when DFID commenced funding of the programme in 2006, many funding agencies still questioned the link between higher education and development. Hopefully that is now firmly established, and future investments of this nature will follow.'

For further information visit the DelPHE section on the ACU website.