Higher education in Africa has faced several challenges in the form of social, political, and economic obstacles throughout the years. Several of the developing countries of Africa have found that their governments alone are not able to combat these complex ethno-diverse challenges faced by the system of higher education across the continent. And, as a result, international networks that facilitate research and academic progress have been a viable solution. Such international networks form partnerships with public universities and colleges in these developing African countries to restructure the system of imparting education and campaign for higher enrollments to universities. Let us find out how such networks, directly and indirectly, benefit students, teachers, and African national development as a whole.
The effect on college and university students
The primary effects on the students of higher education in Africa include an increased level of exposure due to the involvement of international networking among peers and educational practitioners. This can result in increased academic mobility like student transfers and exchange programmes that can have a direct impact on the success and advanced development of students of higher education in Africa. However, there have been potent challenges here as well. For example, the lack of adequate supportive mechanisms that can facilitate the ease of internationalization of academic activities. Nevertheless, collaboration with international networks for higher education in Africa can transform the experience of students across the continent.
The role of INHEA
The International Network for Higher Education in Africa (INHEA) is the most active global hub of academic resources for college and university students in Africa. INHEA works towards the development of educational infrastructure and policies of African countries. With its large community of scholars, investors, policymakers, teachers, and students, it has been doing significant work in several developing African countries to advance the level of higher education across the continent. Its resources like the Association of African Universities, Inter-University Council for East Africa, and Southern African Regional Universities Association, provide for a forum of discussion and debate regarding the steps needed to be taken towards the advancement of higher education in Africa. INHEA also suggests developmental changes to the regional departments of higher education of African countries to maintain a standard of educationthat is at par with the rest of the world.
International tie-ups and exchange programmes
Since international networking has been seen as a great advantage for higher education in Africa, many African students have been enrolling at India’s Sharda University for their international tie-ups with esteemed universities of Central and South-East Asia, Middle East, Australia, Europe, Africa, and even the Americas. The Sharda University of India also has fruitful semester exchange programmes wherein African students can gain international exposure and develop academic and professional networks. Moreover, Sharda University provides a Global Scholarship for African and all other international students based on merit, to help them pursue the career of their choice without the worries of a financial burden.
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