Are private universities the solution to the higher education crisis in sub-Saharan Africa?
Kingsley Banya
Higher Education Policy 14(2): 161-174
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0952-8733 DOI: 10.1016/s0952-8733(01)00007-1Document Number: 248124
Although comparatively young, state universities in sub-Saharan Africa have accomplished alot. They have almost replaced expatriate faculty with indigenous staff and help foster intellectual communities. Some have developed relevant curricula and have produced the skilled human resources required to staff and manage public and private institutes. However, universities in the sub-region face formidable problems, viz: increased enrollments; fiscal challenges; quality issues and rising graduate unemployment. To help solve some of these problems, private universities are increasingly been seen as alternative routes to higher education achievement. Based on empirical data, this paper examines some of the challenges/opportunities that private universities face in sub-Saharan Africa.