Enhancing Africa's renewal through internationalisation of higher education: a review of management strategies and issues

A paper on how of internationalization of higher education can help in Africa's development process.Internationalisation of higher education is a world-wide phenomenon and a contemporary process that aims to contribute to human, social, cultural and economic development of communities and nations. Seen in this light, international education is full of opportunities and potential benefits for individuals, higher education institutions and society’ at large. The past 25 years have seen the international dimension of higher education becoming more central on the agenda of international organisations and national governments, institutions of higher education, student organisations and accreditation agencies thus internationalisation has moved from being a reactive to a proactive strategic issue. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of international higher education as a vehicle for Africa's current development trajectory’. The article analyses the historical development of internationalisation, definitions, rationales and organisational strategies that can be employed by different nations to integrate internationalisation in the higher education systems of the African continent. The paper also examines benefits, challenges and risks of internationalisation to higher education in Africa. In conclusion, the author asserts that countries in Africa and the rest of the world should approach internationalisation in ways that are consistent with their current needs, priorities and circumstances

Attitudes towards the Use of Indigenous African Languages as Languages of Instruction in Education: A Case of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a multilingual nation with 16 officially recognised languages in the country’s constitution. The colonial dependency syndrome in Zimbabwe manifests itself in the continued use of a foreign language, English in all official business at the expense of indigenous languages spoken by over 90% of the population. The country therefore becomes a fertile ground for studies on language attitudes. It is against this background that the study sought to examine the attitudes of Zimbabweans towards the use of indigenous African languages as languages of instruction in schools, colleges and universities. A total of 1000 participants took part in the study comprising 200 teachers, 300 parents/guardians and 800 learners. Questionnaires, observations, document analysis and interviews were the main techniques used to collect data and the processing of the collected data was both qualitative and quantitative. The study revealed that English continues to be the prestige-laden language enjoying high while indigenous languages enjoy relatively low status. Study findings clearly show that the majority of the participants prefer English to be the medium of instruction in primary, secondary and tertiary education because it is a language that gives power and prestige. In conclusion, the author recommends a linguistic revolution and calls for a change in education policies so as to avoid the exclusion of the majority from public discourse, development and other issues of national significance. Key terms: mother tongue; language attitude; official language; language policy; medium of instructio

Language harmonization in southern africa: toward a standard unified shona orthography (SUSO) for Botswana ,Mozambique and Zimbabwe

This article seeks to discuss the harmonization of the Shona language varieties namely ChiKaranga, ChiKalanga, ChiKorekore, ChiNambya, ChiNdau, ChiManyika, ChiBarwe, ChiHwesa, ChiTeve and ChiZezuru. The current Shona orthography uses a conjunctive system of word division that was recommended by Doke in 1931. Detailed word division and spelling rules are found in Fortune's (1972) A Guide to Shona Spelling. The writing system currently being used by the various Shona speakers and writers is deficient since it does not cater for the broader issues ofShona dialectical variations. The spelling system being used by the Shona is purely conventional and bears very little relation to what they speak. The paper argues that a unified standard Shona writing system is achievable by way of prescribing a common alphabet, common spelling, common punctuation and a common word division system. It would be naive to expect a uniform practice at the spoken level. The paper concludes by advising speakers of the different Shona dialects that the spirit of language unification and harmonization should always be that of cooperation and not that of hegemony or conquest

The dynamics of african literature and its criticism: perspectives from Zimbabwe

This paper argues that Africans should view their literature as an autonomous entity separate from all other literatures of the world. The author argues for a perspective of literature and its criticism that is African in nature. The article discusses how African literature both oral and written has over the years received negative criticism from Euro-centric literary critics. Western critics, it is further argued, habitually view African literary works using European eyes to the extent that some even consider African literature as an overseas department of European literature (Palmer, 1979; Povey, 1972, 1971). Charges against African literature range from technical and thematic inadequacies as if African literary works have been written to be consumed by natives of Europe. Regrettably, some Africans, have unwittingly accepted these criticisms and adopted the use of foreign theoretical tools to understand and analyse literature found on the African continent. The paper concludes by discouraging African scholars from gazing westwards for signals of approval that their statements and views about literature conform to the canons of European literature. Africans should establish their own tools of analysing literature that are relevant and appropriate to needs and interests of the African people

The dynamics of african literature and its criticism: perspectives from Zimbabwe

This paper argues that Africans should view their literature as an autonomous entity separate from all other literatures of the world. The author argues for a perspective of literature and its criticism that is African in nature. The article discusses how African literature both oral and written has over the years received negative criticism from Euro-centric literary critics. Western critics, it is further argued, habitually view African literary works using European eyes to the extent that some even consider African literature as an overseas department of European literature (Palmer, 1979; Povey, 1972, 1971). Charges against African literature range from technical and thematic inadequacies as if African literary works have been written to be consumed by natives of Europe. Regrettably, some Africans, have unwittingly accepted these criticisms and adopted the use of foreign theoretical tools to understand and analyse literature found on the African continent. The paper concludes by discouraging African scholars from gazing westwards for signals of approval that their statements and views about literature conform to the canons of European literature. Africans should establish their own tools of analysing literature that are relevant and appropriate to needs and interests of the African people

Language harmonization in southern africa: toward a standard unified shona orthography (SUSO) for Botswana ,Mozambique and Zimbabwe

This article seeks to discuss the harmonization of the Shona language varieties namely ChiKaranga, ChiKalanga, ChiKorekore, ChiNambya, ChiNdau, ChiManyika, ChiBarwe, ChiHwesa, ChiTeve and ChiZezuru. The current Shona orthography uses a conjunctive system of word division that was recommended by Doke in 1931. Detailed word division and spelling rules are found in Fortune's (1972) A Guide to Shona Spelling. The writing system currently being used by the various Shona speakers and writers is deficient since it does not cater for the broader issues ofShona dialectical variations. The spelling system being used by the Shona is purely conventional and bears very little relation to what they speak. The paper argues that a unified standard Shona writing system is achievable by way of prescribing a common alphabet, common spelling, common punctuation and a common word division system. It would be naive to expect a uniform practice at the spoken level. The paper concludes by advising speakers of the different Shona dialects that the spirit of language unification and harmonization should always be that of cooperation and not that of hegemony or conquest

Research and development in Zimbabwe's higher education sector : the case of Midlands State University sexual maturation research project

Universities, for a very long time, were viewed as citadels of knowledge but they remained remote and barely relevant to the man or woman in the street. The academics who work at universities are immensely talented and intelligent but remain abstract. This paper aims to discuss the research activities carried out by academics at the Midlands State University in an effort to enhance the quality of people’s lives. The paper explains in detail how the University Research Team addressed problems associated with sexual maturation processes. Through a research project code-named Femshuleni, the research team, successfully improved the management of sexual maturation process and related problems amongst schoolboys and girls in the Midlands province. In conclusion, the University is hailed for creating knowledge that is relevant to the development of Zimbabwe

Research and development in Zimbabwe's higher education sector : the case of Midlands State University sexual maturation research project

Universities, for a very long time, were viewed as citadels of knowledge but they remained remote and barely relevant to the man or woman in the street. The academics who work at universities are immensely talented and intelligent but remain abstract. This paper aims to discuss the research activities carried out by academics at the Midlands State University in an effort to enhance the quality of people’s lives. The paper explains in detail how the University Research Team addressed problems associated with sexual maturation processes. Through a research project code-named Femshuleni, the research team, successfully improved the management of sexual maturation process and related problems amongst schoolboys and girls in the Midlands province. In conclusion, the University is hailed for creating knowledge that is relevant to the development of Zimbabwe

The dynamics of african literature and its criticism: perspectives from Zimbabwe

This paper argues that Africans should view their literature as an autonomous entity separate from all other literatures of the world. The author argues for a perspective of literature and its criticism that is African in nature. The article discusses how African literature both oral and written has over the years received negative criticism from Euro-centric literary critics. Western critics, it is further argued, habitually view African literary works using European eyes to the extent that some even consider African literature as an overseas department of European literature (Palmer, 1979; Povey, 1972, 1971). Charges against African literature range from technical and thematic inadequacies as if African literary works have been written to be consumed by natives of Europe. Regrettably, some Africans, have unwittingly accepted these criticisms and adopted the use of foreign theoretical tools to understand and analyse literature found on the African continent. The paper concludes by discouraging African scholars from gazing westwards for signals of approval that their statements and views about literature conform to the canons of European literature. Africans should establish their own tools of analysing literature that are relevant and appropriate to needs and interests of the African people