Definition
Flagship universities are the leading institutions in a given higher education system or country, and are typically regarded as reference points for emulation. Flagship universities are almost always public institutions, and are often among the largest institutions in their respective higher education system (Altbach 2006).
Introduction
Contrary to a widely held view, higher education in Africa is not entirely a manifestation of colonial rule. To be sure, a number of “institutions of higher learning” existed on the continent prior to the colonial scramble for Africa that began in the mid-1900s. While some of these earlier institutions have survived into the twenty-first century, the colonial period marks a low point for African higher education generally, as colonial aggressors sought to dismantle or limit its provision (Ajayi et al. 1996, p. 28).
The end of colonial rule ushered in a new phase – the era of national...
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Teferra, D. (2018). Flagship Universities in Africa. In: Encyclopedia of International Higher Education Systems and Institutions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9553-1_276-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9553-1_276-1
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