Intra-Africa Academic Mobility and the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Abstract

There is a rising prominence in the discussion around ‘internationalisation at home’ concerning universities, especially in developing countries being urged to put in place measures to support the continental mobility of learners, as well as creating a conducive environment to attract international students. The diversity, inclusivity, and inequalities in access to relevant technologies are experiences that need to be interrogated if African universities are to play a role in the 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution), and not just be pawns (Paterson & Luescher 2022). The traction of the internationalisation of education in the socio-economic development is encouraging many African countries, as well as IHEs (institutions of higher education) to embrace strategies meant to attract international students. These strategies are aimed at harnessing the full potential of the internationalisation of education and also reversing the trend of one country as an exporter of students to a host country, as it has big implications on the image of a specific institution in the home country. There are specifically efforts geared towards creating an environment that encourages institutional partnerships and attracts students to certain IHEs in specific African countries.