Routledge Quality Assurance in Higher Education in Eastern and Southern Africa: Regional and Continental Perspectives (Perspectives on Education in Africa)

This book examines the critical aspect of quality assurance maintenance of competitive-standards in African higher education. It explores both the micro and macro-levels of continental African higher education regulatory authorities, and analyses different institutional, regional and national practices for moving towards continental quality assurance approaches. Contributed to by scholars across Eastern and Southern Africa, the book considers conceptual, practical, epistemological and policy dimensions of quality and quality assurance, especially in relation to higher education in Africa. It therefore draws on research and local expertise to open up debate about how to assure and enhance the quality of higher education, providing a comprehensive review of eight countries and considers societal challenges. It aims to satisfy the need of more thoughtful and critical works on African education as produced by African educators. The uniqueness of this book lies in integrating both the theoretical and practical dimensions of quality to devise appropriate strategies for ensuring quality and standards in higher education in continental Africa and beyond. This authoritative book advocates for a timely discussion around the prpvision of good quality higher education and research in African universities, and will be of great interest to academics, policy makers, researchers and post-graduate students in the fields of higher education, comparative education and African studies. Review "Using the classical definition of ‘quality’ as ‘fitness for purpose’ to assess the outcomes of Higher Education in 21st Century Africa throws up more questions than answers. On the backdrop of universal basic education and the subsequent massification of Higher Education on the African continent and worldwide, this seminal collection of scholarly reports on quality in African Higher Education is pivotal in the ongoing discourse on the role of Higher Education in societal transformation. The future of Higher Education on the African continent greatly hinges on the direction this debate takes and the consequent investment decisions Africa makes." Dr. Samuel N. Siminyu, Managing Editor, Makerere University Press "This book stresses the need to be more focused on the research which will assist educators to put more emphasis on giving knowledge which will develop Africa in accordance to her needs. Cognisant of the fact that we live in a global village, nonetheless, Africa must concentrate on developing her potential endowment in a manner that will make her grow to a level on which she can stand and play her role as an equal partner with other nations. Professor Peter Neema-Abooki has ably contributed to this research and has thoroughly pointed out that Quality Assurance in Higher Education must treat Africa in her natural setting (sitz im leben) while considering her diversities and her complexities. Though the book has turned a wide scope on Africa, it has not lost sight on International focus. The above approach makes this book a handy reference source for researchers in the academic world, and it is also very useful for planners and administrators especially for governments and religious institutions. The book is an ancillary and a vade mecum, not only for those involved in matters of Higher Education, but also useful to all those with a progressive and inquisitive mind. The thematic style of the Editor will make it easy to grasp the subject even for scholars who tend to be too busy. Professor Neema-Abooki has written this book with all the appetite drawn from the experience he earned from having been a Professor of Higher Educational Management and Administration, Human Resource Management in Education, Educational Policy and Planning, Educational Foundations and Curriculum Studies, Religious and Ethical Studies, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Business and Management; imbued with his international exposure." The V