Harmonization of higher education in Africa and Europe: Policy convergence at supranational level

<p>While the Bologna Process in Europe is the leading example, regional efforts towards harmonization of higher education are taking place in every corner of the world. In Africa, such a process has its roots from decades ago, although more coordinated activities are only recent phenomena. Thi...

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Main Author: Ayenachew Aseffa Woldegiyorgis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad de Deusto 2018-05-01
Series:Tuning Journal for Higher Education
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.tuningjournal.org/article/view/1415
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author Ayenachew Aseffa Woldegiyorgis
author_facet Ayenachew Aseffa Woldegiyorgis
author_sort Ayenachew Aseffa Woldegiyorgis
collection DOAJ
description <p>While the Bologna Process in Europe is the leading example, regional efforts towards harmonization of higher education are taking place in every corner of the world. In Africa, such a process has its roots from decades ago, although more coordinated activities are only recent phenomena. This paper looks back at the harmonization processes in Africa and Europe, and argues that although the process in Africa has been influenced by its European counterpart, the former has its own unique features, among other things, in its thematic and sub-regional initiatives. The paper notes similarities and differences between the two processes, appreciates the strengths and shortcomings of the African process, and highlights the importance for the African Union to more effectively utilize its leverage as a coordinating body, with a wider and more meaningful involvement of higher education institutions and other stakeholders. It also calls for more exploration into the potential strengths and risks in harmonization initiatives strongly rooted at sub-regional level.</p><p><span><strong>Received</strong>: 06 March 2018</span><br /><span><strong> Accepted</strong>: 04 May 2018</span><br /><span><strong> Published online</strong>: 31 May 2018</span></p>
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spelling doaj.art-a23f05e164f941f181abb7ab35d42d912022-12-22T01:45:41ZengUniversidad de DeustoTuning Journal for Higher Education2340-81702386-31372018-05-015213315710.18543/tjhe-5(2)-2018pp133-1571294Harmonization of higher education in Africa and Europe: Policy convergence at supranational levelAyenachew Aseffa Woldegiyorgis0Center for International Higher Education (CIHE), Boston College<p>While the Bologna Process in Europe is the leading example, regional efforts towards harmonization of higher education are taking place in every corner of the world. In Africa, such a process has its roots from decades ago, although more coordinated activities are only recent phenomena. This paper looks back at the harmonization processes in Africa and Europe, and argues that although the process in Africa has been influenced by its European counterpart, the former has its own unique features, among other things, in its thematic and sub-regional initiatives. The paper notes similarities and differences between the two processes, appreciates the strengths and shortcomings of the African process, and highlights the importance for the African Union to more effectively utilize its leverage as a coordinating body, with a wider and more meaningful involvement of higher education institutions and other stakeholders. It also calls for more exploration into the potential strengths and risks in harmonization initiatives strongly rooted at sub-regional level.</p><p><span><strong>Received</strong>: 06 March 2018</span><br /><span><strong> Accepted</strong>: 04 May 2018</span><br /><span><strong> Published online</strong>: 31 May 2018</span></p>http://www.tuningjournal.org/article/view/1415higher EducationharmonizationBologna Processregional integration, African Union
spellingShingle Ayenachew Aseffa Woldegiyorgis
Harmonization of higher education in Africa and Europe: Policy convergence at supranational level
Tuning Journal for Higher Education
higher Education
harmonization
Bologna Process
regional integration, African Union
title Harmonization of higher education in Africa and Europe: Policy convergence at supranational level
title_full Harmonization of higher education in Africa and Europe: Policy convergence at supranational level
title_fullStr Harmonization of higher education in Africa and Europe: Policy convergence at supranational level
title_full_unstemmed Harmonization of higher education in Africa and Europe: Policy convergence at supranational level
title_short Harmonization of higher education in Africa and Europe: Policy convergence at supranational level
title_sort harmonization of higher education in africa and europe policy convergence at supranational level
topic higher Education
harmonization
Bologna Process
regional integration, African Union
url http://www.tuningjournal.org/article/view/1415
work_keys_str_mv AT ayenachewaseffawoldegiyorgis harmonizationofhighereducationinafricaandeuropepolicyconvergenceatsupranationallevel