5 - Neoliberalism and the Changing Role of Universities in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Research and Development
Corresponding Author(s) : Daniel N. Sifuna
Journal of Higher Education in Africa,
Vol. 12 No. 2 (2014): Journal of Higher Education in Africa: Special Issue on Academic Freedom in Africa
Abstract
With some specific examples from Kenyan universities, this article re- views the role of the post-independence African university in research and development, and the effect of neo-liberalism and funding on these activities. It was established that since their inception in the colonial era, the academic purpose of universities in Africa was essentially similar to that of universities the world over; to teach and advance knowledge by disinterested research and to maintain standards of teaching at a level which could be clearly related to those established in other countries. Fol- lowing the achievement of independence, universities were designated as ‘development universities’, which meant, they were expected to undertake research and participate in the development of their respective countries. Most African universities tried in a variety of ways to further the idea of the development university, but due to inherent internal structures as well as the prevailing political climate, it failed to emerge as a ‘development university.’ However, such challenges to the development university did not diminish the central role of the African universities in research and develop- ment. African universities, as others the world over, are required to respond to a variety of needs and fulfil many aims, and this is not a matter of external demands, but of the multifaceted commitment rooted in the traditions of the universities themselves and of the academic profession. This article demonstrates that the neo-liberal ideology which required a significant with- drawal of the state in social provision through drastic reductions in social expenditure, which includes education, contributed to drastic reduction in public expenditure in higher education. This reduction in funding has had a far-reaching effect on the quantity and quality of research in most African universities. The virtual lack of research has serious implications on the role of the university which is characterised by disciplinary specialisation and basic research; which means public universities in Africa are increas- ingly losing out on their role as producers and disseminators of researched knowledge for the development of their countries.
Keywords
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)BibTeX
- Altbach, P. G. and Salmi, J., 2011, ‘Introduction’. In: P. Altbach and J. Salmi, eds, The Road to Academic Excellence: The Making of World-Class Research Universities, Washington D.C.: The World Bank.
- Ashby, E., 1965, Universities: British, Indian and African, Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press.
- Brown, L., 1992, ‘Higher Education and the Reality of Interdependence’, International Journal of Educational Development, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 87-94.
- Burns, D. G., 1965, African Education: An Introductory Survey of Education in Com- monwealth Countries, London: Oxford University Press.
- Byaruhanga, M., 2002, ‘The Paradox of Curriculum Innovation and Implementation in a Liberalized Higher Education System in Uganda: A Challenge to Makerere University’. Paper presented at the 10th General Assembly of COSDESRIA, International Conference Centre, Kampala 8-12 December.
- Coleman, J. S. and Court, D., 1993, University Development in the Third World: The Rockefeller Foundation Experience, Oxford: Pergamon Press.
- Court, D., 1983, ‘Educational Research Environment in Kenya’, In: S. Shaeffer and J. A. Nkinyangi, eds, Educational Research Environments in the Developing Countries, Ottawa: International Development Research Centre Daily Nation, 13 January, 2015.
- Kiamba, C., (2004) ‘Privately Sponsored Students and Other Income Generating Activities at the University of Nairobi’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 53-74.
- Mazrui, A., 1992, ‘The African University as a Multinational Corporation; Problems of Penetration and Dependency’, Harvard Educational Review, Vol. 45, No.2.
- Mazrui, A., 1992, ‘Towards Diagnosing and Treating Cultural Dependency: The Case of the African University’, International Journal of Educational Development, Vol.12, No.2, pp.95-111.
- Munene, I. and Otieno, W., 2008, ‘Changing the Course: Equity Effects and Institu- tional Risks and Policy Shift in Financing Higher Education in Kenya’, Higher Education, Vol. 55, pp. 461-479.
- Nafukho, F. M., 2004, ‘The Market Model of Financing State Universities in Kenya: Some Innovative Lessons’. In: P. T. Zeleza and A. Olukoshi, eds, African Uni- versities in the Twenty-first Century, Pretoria: UNISA Press, Vol. 1, pp. 126-139.
- Nkinyangi, J. A., 1981, ‘The Origins of Student Disturbances in Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya, Institute of Development Studies, University of Nairobi’, Working Paper No. 378.
- Nkinyangi, J. A., 1983, ‘Educational Research Environment in Kenya in S. Shaeffer and J. A. Nkinyangi, eds, Educational Research Environments in the Developing Countries, Ottawa: International Development Research Centre.
- Nyerere, J. K., 1966, ‘The University’s Role in the Development of New Countries’. In: J. K. Nyerere, Freedom and Socialism: A Selection from Writings and Speeches, 1965-1967, Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press.
- Puplampu, K. P., 2005, ‘National Development and African Universities: A Theoreti- cal and Sociopolitical Analysis.’ In: A. A. Abdi and A. Cleghorn, eds. Issues in African Education: Sociological Perspectives, New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Republic of Kenya, 1973, Development Plan 1974-1978, Nairobi: Government Printer. Republic of Kenya. 1986, Sessional Paper No. 1 of 1986: Economic Management for Renewed Growth, Nairobi: Government Printer.
- Republic of Kenya, 1988, Sessional Paper No. 1 of 1988: Education and Manpower Development for the Next Decade and Beyond, Nairobi: Government Printer.
- Sawyer, A., 2004, ‘African Universities and the Challenge of Research Capacity Development, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 211-240.
- Shabani, J., 1996, Research Management in African Universities, Accra: Association of African Universities.
- Sibal, K., 2011, ‘Preface’. In: P. Altbach and J. Salmi, eds, The Road to Academic Excellence: The Making of World-Class Research Universities, Washington D. C.: World Bank.
- Sifuna, D. N. and Sawamura, N., 2010, Challenges of Quality Education in Sub-Sa- haran African Countries, New York: Nova Science Publishers.
- Smith, R., 2007, ‘Conceptions of the University and Demands of Contemporary Societies. In: D. Bridges, P. Juceviciene, R. Jucevicius, T. McLaughlin and J. Stankeviciute, eds, Higher Education and National Development: Universities and Societies in Transition, London: Routledge.
- UNESCO, 1962, Conference on the Development of Higher Education in Africa, Paris: UNESCO.
- University of Nairobi, 2013. Annual Report, 2012, Nairobi: University of Nairobi. Wangenge-Ouma,G., 2008, ‘Globalization and Higher Education Funding Policy Shifts in Kenya’, Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 215-229.
- Wangenge-Ouma, G., 2008, ‘Higher Education Marketization and Its Discontents: The Case of Quality in Kenya’, Higher Education, Vol. 56, No. 4, pp. 457-471
- Wangnge-Ouma, G. and Nafukho, F. M., 2011, ‘Responses to Conditions of Decline: The Case of Kenya’s Public Universities, Africa Education Review, Vol. 8, No.1, pp. 169-188.
- Watson, T.and Furley, O. W., 1978, A History of Education in East Africa, New York: NOK Publishers Woodhall, M., 2003, ‘Financing and Economics of Education in Africa’. in: D. Teferra and P. G. Altbach, eds, African Higher Education: An International Reference Handbook Bloomington & Indianapolis: Indiana University Press.
- World Bank, 1986, Financing Education in Developing Countries: An Exploration of Policy Options, Washington D C:World Bank.
- World Bank, 1988, Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: Policies for Adjustment, Revi- talization and Expansion, Washington D. C.: World Bank.
- World Bank, 1994, Higher Education: The Lessons of Experience, Washington D. C.: World Bank.
- World Bank, 2002, Constructing Knowledge Societies: New Challenges for Tertiary Education, Washington D. C.: World Bank.
- World Bank, 2008, Accelerating Catch-Up: Tertiary Education for Growth in Sub- Saharan Africa, Washington D. C.: World Bank.
- Yesufu, T. M., 1973, Creating the African University: Emerging issues in the 1970’s, Ibadan, Nigeria: Oxford University Press.
References
Altbach, P. G. and Salmi, J., 2011, ‘Introduction’. In: P. Altbach and J. Salmi, eds, The Road to Academic Excellence: The Making of World-Class Research Universities, Washington D.C.: The World Bank.
Ashby, E., 1965, Universities: British, Indian and African, Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press.
Brown, L., 1992, ‘Higher Education and the Reality of Interdependence’, International Journal of Educational Development, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 87-94.
Burns, D. G., 1965, African Education: An Introductory Survey of Education in Com- monwealth Countries, London: Oxford University Press.
Byaruhanga, M., 2002, ‘The Paradox of Curriculum Innovation and Implementation in a Liberalized Higher Education System in Uganda: A Challenge to Makerere University’. Paper presented at the 10th General Assembly of COSDESRIA, International Conference Centre, Kampala 8-12 December.
Coleman, J. S. and Court, D., 1993, University Development in the Third World: The Rockefeller Foundation Experience, Oxford: Pergamon Press.
Court, D., 1983, ‘Educational Research Environment in Kenya’, In: S. Shaeffer and J. A. Nkinyangi, eds, Educational Research Environments in the Developing Countries, Ottawa: International Development Research Centre Daily Nation, 13 January, 2015.
Kiamba, C., (2004) ‘Privately Sponsored Students and Other Income Generating Activities at the University of Nairobi’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 53-74.
Mazrui, A., 1992, ‘The African University as a Multinational Corporation; Problems of Penetration and Dependency’, Harvard Educational Review, Vol. 45, No.2.
Mazrui, A., 1992, ‘Towards Diagnosing and Treating Cultural Dependency: The Case of the African University’, International Journal of Educational Development, Vol.12, No.2, pp.95-111.
Munene, I. and Otieno, W., 2008, ‘Changing the Course: Equity Effects and Institu- tional Risks and Policy Shift in Financing Higher Education in Kenya’, Higher Education, Vol. 55, pp. 461-479.
Nafukho, F. M., 2004, ‘The Market Model of Financing State Universities in Kenya: Some Innovative Lessons’. In: P. T. Zeleza and A. Olukoshi, eds, African Uni- versities in the Twenty-first Century, Pretoria: UNISA Press, Vol. 1, pp. 126-139.
Nkinyangi, J. A., 1981, ‘The Origins of Student Disturbances in Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya, Institute of Development Studies, University of Nairobi’, Working Paper No. 378.
Nkinyangi, J. A., 1983, ‘Educational Research Environment in Kenya in S. Shaeffer and J. A. Nkinyangi, eds, Educational Research Environments in the Developing Countries, Ottawa: International Development Research Centre.
Nyerere, J. K., 1966, ‘The University’s Role in the Development of New Countries’. In: J. K. Nyerere, Freedom and Socialism: A Selection from Writings and Speeches, 1965-1967, Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press.
Puplampu, K. P., 2005, ‘National Development and African Universities: A Theoreti- cal and Sociopolitical Analysis.’ In: A. A. Abdi and A. Cleghorn, eds. Issues in African Education: Sociological Perspectives, New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Republic of Kenya, 1973, Development Plan 1974-1978, Nairobi: Government Printer. Republic of Kenya. 1986, Sessional Paper No. 1 of 1986: Economic Management for Renewed Growth, Nairobi: Government Printer.
Republic of Kenya, 1988, Sessional Paper No. 1 of 1988: Education and Manpower Development for the Next Decade and Beyond, Nairobi: Government Printer.
Sawyer, A., 2004, ‘African Universities and the Challenge of Research Capacity Development, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 211-240.
Shabani, J., 1996, Research Management in African Universities, Accra: Association of African Universities.
Sibal, K., 2011, ‘Preface’. In: P. Altbach and J. Salmi, eds, The Road to Academic Excellence: The Making of World-Class Research Universities, Washington D. C.: World Bank.
Sifuna, D. N. and Sawamura, N., 2010, Challenges of Quality Education in Sub-Sa- haran African Countries, New York: Nova Science Publishers.
Smith, R., 2007, ‘Conceptions of the University and Demands of Contemporary Societies. In: D. Bridges, P. Juceviciene, R. Jucevicius, T. McLaughlin and J. Stankeviciute, eds, Higher Education and National Development: Universities and Societies in Transition, London: Routledge.
UNESCO, 1962, Conference on the Development of Higher Education in Africa, Paris: UNESCO.
University of Nairobi, 2013. Annual Report, 2012, Nairobi: University of Nairobi. Wangenge-Ouma,G., 2008, ‘Globalization and Higher Education Funding Policy Shifts in Kenya’, Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 215-229.
Wangenge-Ouma, G., 2008, ‘Higher Education Marketization and Its Discontents: The Case of Quality in Kenya’, Higher Education, Vol. 56, No. 4, pp. 457-471
Wangnge-Ouma, G. and Nafukho, F. M., 2011, ‘Responses to Conditions of Decline: The Case of Kenya’s Public Universities, Africa Education Review, Vol. 8, No.1, pp. 169-188.
Watson, T.and Furley, O. W., 1978, A History of Education in East Africa, New York: NOK Publishers Woodhall, M., 2003, ‘Financing and Economics of Education in Africa’. in: D. Teferra and P. G. Altbach, eds, African Higher Education: An International Reference Handbook Bloomington & Indianapolis: Indiana University Press.
World Bank, 1986, Financing Education in Developing Countries: An Exploration of Policy Options, Washington D C:World Bank.
World Bank, 1988, Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: Policies for Adjustment, Revi- talization and Expansion, Washington D. C.: World Bank.
World Bank, 1994, Higher Education: The Lessons of Experience, Washington D. C.: World Bank.
World Bank, 2002, Constructing Knowledge Societies: New Challenges for Tertiary Education, Washington D. C.: World Bank.
World Bank, 2008, Accelerating Catch-Up: Tertiary Education for Growth in Sub- Saharan Africa, Washington D. C.: World Bank.
Yesufu, T. M., 1973, Creating the African University: Emerging issues in the 1970’s, Ibadan, Nigeria: Oxford University Press.