Kenyan Public Universities in the Age of Internationalization: Challenges and Prospects

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

This book presents a comprehensive institutional level analysis of a single public institution of higher education in the Republic of Kenya using the case study method of investigation. It is the first case study to use both qualitative and quantitative research methodology to illuminate the experiences of Kenyan public universities with internationalization post-independence. Focusing on Kenyas oldest national public universitythe University of Nairobis experimentation with internationalization, Kenyan Public Universities in the Age of Internationalization is a first in the East African region. The book argues that attempts by institutions of higher education in Africa to engage in internationalization with the much more older and well established IHEs in the developed world has perpetuated the colonial legacy that has relegated these institutions to the position of the Other in the new international order. Several policy implications are offered on what it means to participate in internationalization from a marginal, peripheral position. The conventional assumption that political independence would bring to most African countries, and by extension their national public universities, a period of freedom from political, economic and cultural subjugation and exploitation by the more powerful world nations has proved elusive. This book is intended for a broad audience in the field of Comparative International Education. The mixed research methods used in this book will certainly appeal to instructors, students, and general readers interested in understanding the experiences of historically marginalized developing World institutions of higher education with internationalization.

Reviews

Internationalization of higher education, riding on the coattails of economic globalization, has become the standard for quality education in our time. Dr. Otienos expertly written book, Kenyan Public Universities in the Age of Internationalization: Challenges and Prospects, attempts to tease out some of the benefits of internationalization to an African university. It also meticulously highlights some unexpected consequences of the rush to internationalize. As Dr. Otieno points out, the colonial legacy and lack of competitive strength, among others, make it rather tricky for African universities to harness the advantages of internationalization. This book is a must read for all scholars interested in understanding the historical, political and socioeconomic factors that not only neutralize the expected gains of internationalization in African universities, but also directly thwart their efforts to establish meaningful global partnerships for research and scholarship. -- Stephen Appiah-Padi, Bucknell University

Author Bio

Iddah Aoko Otieno is professor of English and African studies at Bluegrass Community and Technical College