Perspective Chapter: African Higher Education Centers of Excellence – A Critical Reflection

Abstract

There are different types of CoEs based on regional, national, and institutional needs, across different disciplines—health sciences, research, leadership, medicine, higher education, etc. Arguably, the conceptualizations of CoEs have been evolving as time goes by. It is imperative to critically examine the nuances of the challenges and opportunities of the African CoEs to enhance their capacity and potential to achieve their vision and mission. Therefore, the paper has twofold objectives: (1) What has been the strategic significances of the African CoEs? and (2) What are the perils of the African CoEs? These critical questions are examined from the perspective of Transformative Learning Theory. Although the strategic significances of the African CoEs included capacity development and academic collaborations and partnership, there have been also such perils as a lack of epistemic congruence within the African indigenous knowledge and skills bases and the compromisation of autonomy and academic freedom of the hosting HEIs of the CoEs.