Creating a Niche in Internationalization for (South) African Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

This article raises existential questions about the African University. In search of an identity of the African University, the article surveys and re-affirms a descriptive definition of the African University. Furthermore, it surveys contextual challenges of internationalization that should be peculiar to the African University and uses them to inform and affirm an African identity of the African University. Such an affirmation of uniqueness and identity would provide a niche for the African University that would enable it to meet the challenges that Africa faces. The article, therefore, presents a cyclic process toward African Universities contributing uniquely to internationalization: from existential questions to contextual challenges to affirmation of definition and identity and eventually, to meeting contextual challenges that will make the African University a leader in its chosen niche.