ABSTRACT
Globalisation has provided the impetus for international competition among universities. This chapter focuses on the “discontinuity between older notions of the university and the new order” in terms of the role of the university in 21st-century Africa. It provides the reasons to take seriously the relevance of knowledge—its research, production and dissemination to their immediate milieus and the African continent—before universities in Africa can be classified as world-class. The chapter presents strong theoretical evidence for a world-class university in Africa, described along with African priorities, problems and needs, before addressing global demands. It discusses the generic role of the university. World-class universities are sometimes referred to as “flagship universities”, “research universities”, “research universities” or, more comprehensively, “global world-class research universities”. The chapter proposes the possibility of strengthening a few existing, fully established universities in each country to pursue the flagship model, on condition that they prioritise African interests in order to become an authentic African university.
