Redefining the Role of Higher Education in Africa

Abstract

It has always been envisaged that higher education in Africa would be a major booster in economic growth and social inclusion if structured well. Unfortunately, several of these institutions are waning in regard to research output, innovations, community engagement, and quality of training being their core mandate. In the process, they have become less effective in regards to their ability to contribute to the socio-economic development of their host country. Subsequently, the main question to many stakeholders and scholars is whether Africa's higher education system as presently structured and administered has the capability of fulfilling its core mandate – producing competent graduates with the right competencies to aid in carrying forward the continent's development agenda. This review intends to underscore these challenges and brainstorm on possible feasible panaceas to mitigate against this scenario.