The homogenization of African Higher Education: The Association of African Universities (AAU), institutional partnerships and educational governance

At this CGHE webinar, David Kyei-Nuamah presented his doctoral research on the AAU, and the forms of soft-power governance it was able to exert through its network of 400 member universities. Describing it as a meta-organisation, David drew on interviews with Vice-Chancellors to get their perspectives on the AAU. He also highlighted the close relationship between the African Union and the AAU, and the role of institutional partnerships in its work

David’s main finding was that despite the AAU’s rhetoric of diversity, it encouraged a culture of institutional isomorphism, whereby its members increasingly converged in their institutional forms and ambitions. The Vice-Chancellors he spoke to were aware of its potential and its limits. Some wanted it to take a stronger line against political appointments, others to get more involved in promoting university research cultures. Several felt that its membership fees should be calibrated by size. His respondents also highlighted how it was often ‘power-played’ by other political actors, acknowledging the limits of its soft power.

The seminar generated a rich dialogue with an audience of more than 60 participants from around the world, including many from Africa or working on African higher education. There were also representatives of AAU in the audience.

Several asked about why so few private universities were members. NV Varghese reflected on private university higher education in Africa, and the difficulty of separating out private and public, especially as public universities in some countries (such as Uganda) take on ever more privately funded students. One participant highlighted that the fees were $3000 a year.

Sam Fongwa (CODESRIA) asked about the implications of David’s argument of homogenisation for HE provision across the continent, and in particular the need for organisations like the AAU to support a broader tertiary model of provision

Frederic Ato Armah, Director of Research and Programmes at AAU, spoke about the AAU’s work, its quality thresholds for membership (including being research active) and its links with the new Pan African university, which is a flagship initiative of the African Union, was set up in 2016 with the specific mission of strengthening African higher education and research.

Several other participants joined in with thoughtful questions and clarifications. All were invited to offer a CGHE webinar on their own work.

Unfortunately no Zoom recording was made of this event, but participants and others interested are encouraged to follow up with questions to David Kyei-Nuamah at daidi.kyei@gmail.com

To view the slides, click here.