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Conversations on the internationalisation of UK universities are growing with different sides calling out the benefits and the areas in need of attention. Arguments usually tend towards the human rights records of the governments in countries where universities go to set up their international campuses. This is instead of focusing on the direct benefits the students and people in the countries will gain from the international universities.
International campuses set up by UK universities have a wider level of independence from the politics and policies of their host countries than domestic institutions. This can enpower students to see the world from a new perspective, one where the people have a voice and know their rights. This in itself is the purpose of education. But Africa has seen little of this ambition and growth.
As of May 2013, there was no UK university branch campus in Africa. One was opened in South Africa, but then closed in 2004. In 2011/2012 there were an estimated 35,255 African students studying in UK higher education institutions (HEIs). Nigeria contributed 17,620 students to that number. Over one million students who finish secondary schools do not get placements in local universities because institutions are already overcrowded and there's simply not enough.
Currently the relationship UK universities have with Africa is with the international marketing offices that seek to grab those students who can afford UK university learning. There are very minimal institution-to-institution level collaborations, partnerships and exchange. I believe this is because of the issue of presumed instabilities in governments, security challenges and general lack of communication. The UK universities retreat to a safe-mode which allow them minimal risks and higher financial gains.
To help build the higher education system that Africa needs and deserves, UK universities need to start setting up institutional-level partnerships that will benefit both the universities and the students who attend them. Based on my experience working with the University of Wolverhampton to create an institution level collaboration, this is what we found worked:
1) Student exchange programmes that allow African and UK students to spend some time in partner international campuses, and learn in a new environment with a different set of teacherswho offer different perspectives – this will help them to shape a global view.they can bring back to their campuses.
2) Staff exchange programmes that create visiting positions in the participating institutions. Experienced faculty members will spend six to 12 months in international campuses, bringing new learning experiences to both the students and teachers through seminars, lectures and public speaking.
3) Research partnerships that will drive the development of local academic content and curriculum, scientific research and local industry participation in the academic process. African universities are currently lacking in the area of adequate research by both department members and students, with very little being done.
The need for quality in African institutions is highlighted by the 2013 – 2014 World University Rankings, where no African university came in the top 200. We first need to help improve the quality of students and academics who are already in African institutions before seeking to expand internationally into the region. One of the reasons the Asian market is so viable is because the system is already ripe for such expansion. The case is different in the African context.
Meanwhile, the continued and increasing UK visa restrictions will affect the push for internationalisation in the "send students over to the UK" model. With other countries easing their own visa rules, coupled with the high cost of living for students in the UK and rising fees for international students, the number of students arriving on UK campuses will gradually begin to fall.
Organised well however, student, staff and research exchanges could gradually wear away the presumed risks of working in the African higher education sector . Subsequently, we could see involvement of both UK and other international universities in the African market with new branch campuses being developed on the continent, particularly in the East and West African clusters. Fewer numbers of African students getting international visas should not prevent UK universities from bringing an education to them.
Gossy Ukanwoke is the founder of Beni American University – follow him on Twitter @gossyomega
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