Private higher education in Africa: The case of Monash South Africa

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to review the contribution of private institutions to higher education in Africa and use Monash South Africa as a case study. A literature search was conducted to gain perspective on the current situation with respect to private higher education institutions in Africa and how they are perceived in relation to public higher education institutions. In comparison with public higher education institutions, private higher education institutions in Africa were successful in four areas: • Widening access to higher education in the continent • Improving the quality of education • Improving student experience • Increasing the recognition and marketability of their degrees However, private higher education institutions in Africa have failed in two areas: • Reducing the costs of higher education in Africa • Assisting with retention of skilled human capital in African countries. In fact, private higher education institutions in Africa, have exacerbated the two situations above. Monash South Africa was the first foreign university to be established in South Africa and one of over 100 private universities in the continent. As a campus of Monash University in Africa, it has seen a steady growth with over 3,500 students in the past 10 years of its existence. Like other private institutions, the campus was successful in the four areas above and also fails in the area of costs and assisting in retention of skilled staff in Africa. The campus has been successful in blending its private provider status with a public purpose mandate by offering degrees in social science, business and economics, information technology and health sciences.