The Role of CERMESA in Internationalization of Higher Education and Student Mobility in Africa
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Journal of Advances in Education and Philosophy
Abbreviated Key Title: J Adv Educ Philos
ISSN 2523-2665 (Print) |ISSN 2523-2223 (Online)
Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Journal homepage: https://saudijournals.com
Review Article
The Role of CERMESA in Internationalization of Higher Education
and Student Mobility in Africa
Barasa Samson Omachar, Ph.D1*, Eunice Majanga, Ph.D2, Philip Mukonyi, Ph.D3
1
Dr. Barasa Samson Omachar, Lecturer, Department of Educational Foundations- Moi University
2
Dr. Eunice Majanga, Lecturer, Department of Educational Foundations -Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
3
Dr. Philip Mukonyi, Lecturer, Department of Educational Foundations -Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
DOI: 10.36348/jaep.2021.v05i06.004 | Received: 16.05.2021 | Accepted: 23.06.2021 | Published: 30.06.2021
*Corresponding author: Dr. Barasa Samson Omachar, PhD
Abstract
This study focuses on the influence of institutional policies on student’s mobility in the context of internationalization of
higher education in DAAD established East and South African-German Centre of Excellence for Educational Research,
Methodologies and Management – CERMESA member universities. This is a comparative study based on four case
studies namely Moi University in Kenya, University of Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, Uganda Management Institute and
Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. This study has revealed how institutional policies have influenced student
mobility in an organised setting making a reality anchored on internationalization of higher Education. The study was
guided by the following objectives; to examine student mobility trends among CERMESA member Universities; to
establish the role of CERMESA in enhancing student mobility in Africa; to assess the influence of institutional policies
on student mobility in CERMESA member universities. Based on the above objectives the study answered the following
questions: What is the trend of student mobility among CERMESA member universities? What is the role of CERMESA
in enhancing student mobility in Africa? To what extent do university policies among CERMESA member universities
accommodate student mobility? Recently cross border and inter regional movement of people has been characterized by
increasing trends of student mobility in higher education. This has been actualised further through educational
partnership among African states; CER-MESA is one of eleven centres of African excellence in sub-Saharan Africa, but
no study has been done on the contribution of such organizations in establishing student mobility and regional integration
in Africa a gap this study has filled.
Key words: Mobility, Integration, Regional, Internationalization.
Copyright © 2021 The Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
License (CC BY-NC 4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use provided the original
author and source are credited.
1. INTRODUCTION 2. CERMESA PROGRAM
This section focuses on how Selected Participants (n=7) and Participants (n=5)
CERMESA institutions promote mobility of students explained that CERM-ESA can be considered as a
across the borders respectively. All the universities in universal development socio economic project that
this study namely University of Dar es Salaam in brings together nations through individual universities
Tanzania, Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, guided with the key objectives such as to establish
Moi University in Kenya and Uganda Management global academic centre of excellence in educational
Institute in Uganda seem to promote student mobility. research methodologies and management that is a
This is a clear justification of why there are more scientific society through organized academic and
African foreign students in CERMESA member knowledge based scientific projects. Participants (n=7)
universities. From the data obtained, it is clear that points out that this is an international organization with
generally very little is done to promote clearly set mandate as outlined by Malve, Kurgat and
students‘mobility in Africa however University of Dar Speck (2017), who point out that the:-
es Salaam, Nelson Mandela University, Moi University The specific project objectives …………..
and Uganda Management Institute have put in place Illustrate the academic rationale of this
considerable efforts that promote student mobility. international cooperation: Research
Programme: Advancing and expanding
excellent and innovative educational research
on methodologies, instruction techniques, and
Citation: Barasa Samson Omachar et al (2021). The Role of CERMESA in Internationalization of Higher Education and 165
Student Mobility in Africa. J Adv Educ Philos, 5(6): 165-169.Barasa Samson Omachar et al., J Adv Educ Philos, Jun, 2021; 5(6): 165-169
management strategies for African contexts. international organizational objectives. This explains
Academic Programme: Teaching and training how the concept of internationalization of higher
of future educational leaders in terms of education, globalization of education and engagement
research methodologies, innovative in education are critical issues to CERMESA
management solutions, and instruction academic rationale and objectives, structure and
techniques at master’s and doctoral levels. collaboration and , research methodologies.
Staff Development Programme: Advancing
capacity building and staff development in CERM-ESA is operates under two
academia and management of the fundamental global frameworks of internationalization
participating universities in effective university of higher education institutions of learning which is a
instruction and management for (future) focus of this study and higher education engagement
leaders, and sustainable institution building. which is understood as the social responsibility of
higher education institutions to form partnerships with
From the above it’s clear that CERMESA plays other societal actors and communities, to foster research
a pivotal role in student mobility among member states. and interdisciplinary collaboration and impact
This comes in inform of special programs and services positively on the communities, the society and countries
for foreign students. the program is based. This assertion seems to find a
niche in Malve, Kurgat and Speck (2017) who have
3. Role of cermesa in enhancing student mobility argumentatively discussed the matter and whose work
among member universities has been discussed alongside the participant voices.
A comparative analysis on the role of
CERMESA in enhancing students‘mobility trends Participants (n=10) and (n=13) pointed out that
among selected CERMESA universities, University of the roles played by CERMESA in the four universities
Dar es Salaam, Moi University, Nelson Mandela tend to promote student mobility namely; Cooperation
University and Uganda Management Institute presents among member universities, research, academic and
a unique scenario of students‘mobility in Africa teaching and staff development. It should be understood
bearing in mind the number of foreign African students that it is this activities that promote and make this
in these institutions. Participants (n=10) and (n=13) in universities student mobility hubs and even influence
this study pointed out that focus of CERMESA the development of student mobility policies. As
program is based on key as well as specific tabulated in detail below
Table-1: Research role of CERMESA
Role Measures and Activities Contribution to Contribution to
Internationalization Engagement
Research 4 umbrella topics and - relevant topics for all - focus on social change
research teams partner regions and improvements
Co-supervision of theses - internationally - advancing participatory,
comparative topics arts- based, action research
and other forms of
engaged methodologies
Participation in cross-country / - mutual support and
international conferences collaboration in ensuring best practice
supervision
Participation in - support for schools/ disseminating research
international conferences faculties of education to be methodologies and results
internationally visible from African contexts
4/30/2021 21
From table 1 Participants (n=11) (n=7) and pointed out that this is done through haviving
(n=13) indicated that one of the roles of CERMESA international research schools that are alternately
that promote student mobility is research. Participants organised between Moi University and Nelson mandela
© 2021 |Published by Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 166Barasa Samson Omachar et al., J Adv Educ Philos, Jun, 2021; 5(6): 165-169
University. Participant (n=3) pointed out that in the (n=3) the program engages the staff in a joint
year 2019 students and staff from Nelson Mandela supervision with supervisors drawn from different
University, University of Dar es Salaam and Uganda member universities therefore the students stands the
Management Institute attendend aresearch school at benefit of gaining from different contexts. Supervisors
Moi University and in 2020 Nelson Mandela University and students from different countries are facilitated to
hosted all the other universities. It should be understood travel to member countries for supervision advisory.
that through research as pointed out by participant
Table-2: Academic and Teaching role of CERMESA
Role Measures and Activities Contribution to Contribution to
Internationalization Engagement
Academic and Teaching Annual CERM-ESA •regular student and - focus on ethical
schools on research lecturer exchange questions, engagement,
methodologies for •international leadership and change
scholarship holders perspectives
Students’ visits to co- - international experience - exposure to other
supervisors community outreach
activities and methods
New master’s joint curriculum - innovative,
programme, Education development, teaching contextualized research
Research, at Moi and co-supervision methodologies for social
University change
4/30/2021 22
In table 2 Similarly Participants (n=11) (n=7) the course at either Moi University or Nelson Mandela
and (n=13) noted that this role promotes students University and in some exceptional cases at their model
mobility by ensuring that learners cross border to university of Oldenburg in German. The mentioned
undertake studies in member universities. This graduate degree program includes Master of Education
movement according to participants tend to promote in Educational research, Doctor of philosophy in
students mobility. Participant (n=5) indicated that Educational research and Doctor of Philosophy in
CERMESA program has unique degree programs that Sociology of Education. This role also emphasises on
allows member universities to admit students but take students visits to co supervisors.
Table-3: Cooperation role of CERMESA
Role Measures and Activities Contributions to Contributions to
Internationalization Engagement
4. Cooperation among Biannual steering •Regular cross country Ensures:
member universities committee meetings: meetings - that the programmes
decides made by all •Visibility at a host are relevant and
partners university beneficial to all partners
Internationalization - transfer of knowledge - guidance and critical
advisory board: experts and expertise reflection is provided on
for Africanization African contexts &
methodologies
Building a CERMESA Forum for educationists - a broad collaboration
faculty: all alumni and for all partner and interdisciplinary
participants universities basis for the project
Online learning platform - online collaboration for - sharing of resources
staff and students and best practices
4/30/2021 24
© 2021 |Published by Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 167Barasa Samson Omachar et al., J Adv Educ Philos, Jun, 2021; 5(6): 165-169
In reference to table 2 and 3 of this study, effective university instruction and management for
Participant (n=3), Participant (n=1) and Participant (future) leaders, and sustainable institution building.
(n=4) pointed out that cooperation among member
universities plays a critical role in the promotion of CERMESA policies seem to be a mobility
student mobility. Participants indicated that member’s beacon among CERMESA member universities.
states are engaged in biannual steering committee However the findings canvas students’ views on
meetings that are attended by members from all the students mobility higher education and on its three
other CERMESA member universities. They organize individual elements, which arguably demonstrates
regular cross country meetings. These activities are students’ comprehension of the process of student
seen to be critical in the promotion of student mobility mobility in relation to the concept of
among member states. internationalization of higher education. It also offers a
hint of what is important for higher institutions of
Participant (n=2), Participant (n=1) and learning as well as students in this context, which
Participant (n=8) pointed out that apart from the role helps the understanding of students motivations for
played by CERMESA individual institutions in this and expectations of their study abroad as well as their
study do engage in student exchange programme. It was ‘push and pull’ factors of mobility. It’s clear that
mentioned by participant (n=9) that that one university student mobility has a direct connection with ideas on
out of the four offered credit transfer to attract students the purpose, function and delivery of the higher
who want to study in that university, this case was not education institution. These can also help the analysis
found to exist in the three other universities. Therefore of students’ expectations in regards to their study
this study found out that the main means of promoting abroad; moreover, in terms of the delivery, students’
students Mobility is through participating in inter testimonies in regards to the knowledge and skills of
university programs such as through which interaction graduates can by extension be considered the ideal
among students may take place as well as students may outcomes of their cross boarder studies
be influenced to select programs in their/ participating
universities. Collaborations between universities should REFERENCES
be established in such a way that programs are Amaral, A., Neave, G., Musselin, C., & Maassen,
intertwined to promote credit transfer and program P. (Eds.). (2009). European integration and the
movement opportunity to member students. governance of higher education and research (Vol.
26). Springer Netherlands.
4. RECOMMENDATIONS Policy, S. (2007). University Partnerships in
Basing on the findings and conclusions of the Cooperation and Development Program
study, the following recommendations have been Evaluation–Executive Report.
derived:-This study arguably notes that there is need for Charles, D. N. (2010). Mobility, Poverty, and the
increased partnership to promote student mobility Cities of East Africa. The Henry L. Stimson
within the East and Southern African region in order to Center1111 19th Street, NW.
enhance and promote a sense of regional identity, Van Mol, C. (2013). Intra‐ European student
shared prospects, views and values. This study points to mobility and European identity: A successful
the fact that Universities in Africa need to develop clear marriage?. Population, Space and Place, 19(2),
policy framework that guide international foreign 209-222.
students Some, D. K., & Khaemba, B. M.
(2004). Internationalisation of Higher Education:
5. DISCUSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS The African Experience and Perspective. Moi
This study reveal significant contributions of University Press.
CERMESA. The most important being financial and Murphy-Lejeune, E. (2003). Student mobility and
structural assistance to partner institutions and narrative in Europe: The new strangers.
scholarship holders. Its clear from this study that Routledge.
CERMESA engages member universities in research Richters, E., & Teichler, U. (2006). Student
programmes such as, advancing and expanding mobility data: Current methodological issues and
excellent and innovative educational research on future prospects. EURODATA: Student mobility in
methodologies, instruction techniques, and European higher education, 78-95.
management strategies for African contexts. Academic Gravenir, G. S., Mukirae, N., & Ouma, G. W.
Programme such as: Teaching and training of future (2006). The Role of African Universities in the
educational leaders in terms of research Attainment of the Millennium Development
methodologies, innovative management solutions, and Goals. Nairobi: Kenyatta University.
instruction techniques at master’s and doctoral levels. King, R., Findlay, A., & Ahrens, J. (2010).
Staff Development Programme such as, advancing International student mobility literature review.
capacity building and staff development in academia von Möllendorff, M., Kurgat, S., & Speck, K.
and management of the participating universities in (2017). East and South African-German Centre of
© 2021 |Published by Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 168Barasa Samson Omachar et al., J Adv Educ Philos, Jun, 2021; 5(6): 165-169
Excellence for Educational Research study. Journal of Studies in International
Methodologies and Management (CERM-ESA). A Education, 10(3), 194-223.
case for internationalisation and higher education Moi University. (2010). Moi University -
engagement. Educational Research for Social Foundation of Knowledge website: Moi University
Change, 6(1), 93-99. International Office. http://www.mu.ac.ke/about/
Kelo, M., Teichler, U., & Wächter, B. (2006). home.html
Toward improved data on student mobility in Robertson, R. (1991). Globalization: Social Theory
Europe: Findings and concepts of the Eurodata and Global Culture. London: Sage.
© 2021 |Published by Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 169You can also read
