Globalization and Higher Education in Africa

Abstract

Globalization has rapidly developed into a complex system of circuits of exchange, interactive dynamics, and structures that collectively interact at high levels to produce rapid change affecting most aspects of human life. This non-empirical paper will assess how globalization has impacted on education in higher institutions of learning in Africa, mainly focusing on universities. The specific objectives of the paper are (1) to examine the concept of globalization as perceived by various scholars (2) to explore the linkage between higher education and globalization (3) to critically analyze the impact of globalization on higher education in Africa, and (4) to recommend appropriate responses to globalization by institutions of higher learning in Africa. Although there are many different definitions of globalization as the paper will explain, the modern perspective of Evans et al. (2011) is roundly used. Globalization, thus, is a widening, deepening, and speeding up of interconnectedness in all aspects of contemporary life; from the cultural to the criminal, the financial to the spiritual. Hence in the context of higher education and drawing in the above definition, global higher education can be referred to as the widening, deepening and speeding up of interconnectedness of universities within the global world. This has resulted to an academic capitalism discerned in increased massive university education, enhanced accountability, rapid privatization, and increased marketization of universities. Consequently, despite some negative effects, there is a realization of considerable impact on equality of opportunity, equity, quality, and efficiency of African universities. In the case of African universities, globalization is a project and a process of neo-liberalism which has been articulated through several structural adjustment programs (Tiyanbe-Zeleza, 2003). In such scenario of globalization, it is recommended that a scanning of global trends and realities be made and infused in the curriculum of all fields of study so as to build stronger regional alliances in Africa and Asia. Likewise, significant investment is required in managing, optimizing, and retaining academic talent in an increasing competitive academic market. Finally, African universities should develop a measurement system to evaluate progress towards increased levels and trends of globalization.