The Critical Role of Effective Management in Transforming African Universities and Colleges through International Academic Partnerships: Cases from Ethiopia and Michigan, USA

ABSTRACT: This paper explores the prevailing challenges and opportunities in creating high quality universities in Africa based on a case study of Ethiopian universities. The paper underscores academic quality and relevance as... [ view full abstract ]

ABSTRACT: This paper explores the prevailing challenges and opportunities in creating high quality universities in Africa based on a case study of Ethiopian universities. The paper underscores academic quality and relevance as key determinants of universities and trusts that well-thought out partnerships with well-established universities would help support emerging universities. These partnership experiences include historical and current engagement of Addis Ababa University with Michigan Universities such as Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Western Michigan University and others in terms of graduate education and faculty exchange. The paper argues higher education is an important way to develop human capital which is a necessary precondition for sustainable development. Based on human capital development approach, the potential for benefit from demographic dividend by high performing universities that can provide quality education to the youth is explored through effective domestic and international academic partnerships.