Stakeholder participation in international higher education partnerships: results of a survey of two sub-Saharan African universities

Abstract

In the last few years, foreign institutions have increasingly sought to establish partnerships with African universities. Likewise, African universities have increasingly sought to establish linkages with foreign institutions. Different factors suggest that these partnerships will continue to be a major focus in the future. This study draws from a survey of a random sample of 468 university administrators, academic staff and postgraduate students at two major public universities in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It estimates the level of participation in international partnership activities and examines factors related to this participation. The study found that 4 in 10 stakeholders at the two institutions had participated in partnership activities, and that participation was a function of awareness of partnership opportunities, the use of technology and stakeholder status.

Keywords:

• partnerships
• international cooperation
• internationalization
• African higher education

Acknowledgements

This article is based on my dissertation research, which I undertook and completed as a doctoral student in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development, at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities). I am grateful to Professors Darwin D. Hendel and David W. Chapman for their support and extensive feedback on this research project. I also thank administrators, academic staff and postgraduate students at the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and University of Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo) for facilitating data collection and contributing to this research project.

Funding

This study is based on a research project that was supported through a fellowship from the Compton Foundation and a dissertation fellowship from the University of Minnesota Global Programs and Strategy Alliance.