Title: Internationalisation of higher education in Africa: introducing credit accumulation and transfer system

Authors: Abebaw Yirga Adamu

Addresses: Tampere University, School of Education, 33014, Tampere, Finland

Abstract: Internationalisation of higher education calls for both intra- and inter-regional academic collaboration. Recently, there have been several internationalisation initiatives in Africa, including an increasing focus on higher education collaboration at a regional level. One of the major problems in the process of internationalisation of higher education in Africa is lack of supportive mechanisms that facilitate various internationalisation activities. This paper argues for the introduction of a continental credit accumulation and transfer system in order to facilitate recognition of studies, academic mobility, internationalising curricula, collaboration of higher education, and to promote harmonisation of higher education.

Keywords: Africa; CATS; study credits; student attainment; student performance; universities; higher education; credit accumulation systems; credit transfer systems; internationalisation; intra-regional academic collaboration; inter-regional academic collaboration; supportive mechanisms; academic mobility; curricula; harmonisation; socio-economic divisions; political divisions; Global North; developing countries; developed countries; Global South; knowledge economies; public policy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPP.2012.048713

International Journal of Public Policy, 2012 Vol.8 No.4/5/6, pp.199 - 213

Published online: 31 Jul 2014 *

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