International Experience International Experience & Employability of African & Employability of African

GraduatesGraduates

James Otieno JowiJames Otieno JowiCoordinatorCoordinator

African Network for Internationalization of African Network for Internationalization of Education (ANIE)Education (ANIE)

Moi University, KenyaMoi University, Kenya

Presentation at the EDULINK AUDIS Project, Presentation at the EDULINK AUDIS Project, Maputo, Mozambique ( October 7-9, 2009) Maputo, Mozambique ( October 7-9, 2009)

IntroductionIntroduction

►Purpose of presentationPurpose of presentation►Meaning of internationalizationMeaning of internationalization► International experience?International experience?►At home/abroadAt home/abroad►Relating to employabilityRelating to employability►TrendsTrends►What research says.What research says.

Internationalization of HEInternationalization of HE

► Means Different thingsMeans Different things to different people to different people in different countriesin different countries in different types of HEIsin different types of HEIs in different disciplines and sectorsin different disciplines and sectors in different professionsin different professions by different stakeholdersby different stakeholders by different education actors,by different education actors,

((Knight,2009)Knight,2009)

Working definitionWorking definition

Internationalization ……..Internationalization …….. … ….is a process of integrating an .is a process of integrating an

international, intercultural, global international, intercultural, global dimension into the goals, dimension into the goals, teaching/learning, research, teaching/learning, research, service delivery of higher education service delivery of higher education institutions and systems… institutions and systems… (Knight, (Knight, 2008)2008)

Why internationalize-Why internationalize-Rationales Rationales

► PoliticalPolitical►Foreign Policy, National security, peace and mutual Foreign Policy, National security, peace and mutual

understandingunderstanding

► EconomicEconomic►Economic growth, competitiveness, labour marketEconomic growth, competitiveness, labour market

► AcademicAcademic►Quality, Capacity Building, Status,Quality, Capacity Building, Status,► (Research capacity- high on agenda of African (Research capacity- high on agenda of African

universities)universities)

► Cultural/SocialCultural/Social►Cultural identity, intercultural understandingCultural identity, intercultural understanding

Rationales for studentsRationales for students

► Specialized skillsSpecialized skills► Better facilities/expertiseBetter facilities/expertise► International experienceInternational experience► Broader world viewBroader world view► LanguageLanguage► Employment opportunitiesEmployment opportunities► Curiosity/adventureCuriosity/adventure► Reputation/prestigeReputation/prestige(Mobility is not a recent phenomenon)(Mobility is not a recent phenomenon)

International Experiences - at International Experiences - at homehome

(Only 1% of students go abroad)(Only 1% of students go abroad) - Curriculum and programs- Curriculum and programs

Teaching/learning processTeaching/learning process Extra-curricular activitiesExtra-curricular activities Liaison with local cultural/ethnic groupsLiaison with local cultural/ethnic groups Research and scholarly activitiesResearch and scholarly activities Visiting scholarsVisiting scholars International StudentsInternational Students Virtual mobilityVirtual mobility Open education and resourcesOpen education and resourcesNB- S.Africa & Egypt are the leading destinations NB- S.Africa & Egypt are the leading destinations

for inbound mobility in Africa for inbound mobility in Africa

International Experiences - International Experiences - abroadabroad

-- Student mobility - two way Student mobility - two way Faculty/ scholar mobility-two wayFaculty/ scholar mobility-two way Program/course delivery - joint, franchise, Program/course delivery - joint, franchise,

twintwin Provider mobility - branch campus, virtualProvider mobility - branch campus, virtual Projects/ services -research, curriculum, Projects/ services -research, curriculum,

benchmarkingbenchmarking Policy mobilityPolicy mobilityN/B Kenya & Nigeria lead in outbound mobility N/B Kenya & Nigeria lead in outbound mobility

of students (Open Doors/ Project Atlas)of students (Open Doors/ Project Atlas)

Global student mobility & Global student mobility & employabilityemployability

Defining global mobility:Defining global mobility:““An internationally mobile student is a student having An internationally mobile student is a student having

crossed a national border in order to study or to crossed a national border in order to study or to undertake other study-related activities for at least a undertake other study-related activities for at least a certain unit of a study program or a certain period of certain unit of a study program or a certain period of time in the country they have moved to.” time in the country they have moved to.” (Richters/Teichler, 2006)(Richters/Teichler, 2006)

Changing forms of mobility: distance education, Changing forms of mobility: distance education, virtual learning, branch campuses, and many virtual learning, branch campuses, and many othersothers

Why is global student mobility important?Why is global student mobility important?

Source: OECD Education at a Glance 2007

Worldwide, there were over 2.9 million international students in Worldwide, there were over 2.9 million international students in 2006, a 3% increase over the previous year.2006, a 3% increase over the previous year.

By 2025, almost 8 million students are projected to be studying By 2025, almost 8 million students are projected to be studying outside their home country.outside their home country.

Worldwide: A Growing Pie

1975

0.6M

1980

0.8M

1985

0.9M

19901.2M

19951.3M

20001.9M

20042.7M

20062.9M

EmployabilityEmployability

► The value of [a students] international The value of [a students] international experience goes beyond purely the acquisition experience goes beyond purely the acquisition of language- it lies in the ability to see business of language- it lies in the ability to see business and personal issues from other than your own and personal issues from other than your own cultural perspective -cultural perspective - Charles Macleod, Charles Macleod, Pricewaterhouse, UK Coopers. Pricewaterhouse, UK Coopers.

► Increasing globalization and internationalization Increasing globalization and internationalization has heightened need for graduates with abilities has heightened need for graduates with abilities to operate in culturally diverse contexts and to operate in culturally diverse contexts and with diverse skills……(Corossman & Clarke, with diverse skills……(Corossman & Clarke, 2009) 2009)

What employers wantWhat employers want► degree of skillsdegree of skills► Highly marketable work related skillsHighly marketable work related skills► CBI (2008) Research shows thatCBI (2008) Research shows that

-30% employers have problems with graduates on generic -30% employers have problems with graduates on generic employability skills such as team working, communication, and employability skills such as team working, communication, and problem solving problem solving -25% disappointed with graduates attitude to work-25% disappointed with graduates attitude to work-33% self-management-33% self-management-44% business awareness-44% business awareness-49% foreign language skills-49% foreign language skills-Employers are increasingly going global- thus need graduates from -Employers are increasingly going global- thus need graduates from different countries/cultures.different countries/cultures.-Mismatch btw what market demands and what's offered in western -Mismatch btw what market demands and what's offered in western market as fewer students gain international experience.market as fewer students gain international experience.-Skills deficit in graduates.-Skills deficit in graduates.-Enhancing employability skills (Archer & Davisson,2008). -Enhancing employability skills (Archer & Davisson,2008).

The Global Competition for The Global Competition for Talent Talent

► Rapidly changing market for International Rapidly changing market for International students students

► Strategic approach – USA (CSHE,2009)…Strategic approach – USA (CSHE,2009)…University of California...says that USA should University of California...says that USA should double its international student enrolments double its international student enrolments from current 625, 000 to 1.25 m by 2020from current 625, 000 to 1.25 m by 2020

► Aim-to capitalize on the global pool of mobile Aim-to capitalize on the global pool of mobile students.students.

► Immigration of talented students and Immigration of talented students and professionals enabled the USA to growprofessionals enabled the USA to grow

► Current shift…needs coherent higher Current shift…needs coherent higher education policy…education policy…

The “unusual” suspects: The “unusual” suspects:

► Malaysia: AttractMalaysia: Attract 100,000 international 100,000 international students by 2010 students by 2010

► Jordan: Jordan: Increase number of international Increase number of international student to 100,000 by 2020.student to 100,000 by 2020.

► SingaporeSingapore : :Attract 100,000 by 2015. Attract 100,000 by 2015. ► China: China: Attract 300,000 students by Attract 300,000 students by

2020. 2020. ► Japan: Japan: Goal to attract 1 million foreign Goal to attract 1 million foreign

students by 2025 (up from current students by 2025 (up from current 120,000).120,000).

Africa's Intellectual DiasporaAfrica's Intellectual Diaspora

► Big resourceBig resource► Data?Data?► Big riskBig risk► Could be utilizedCould be utilized► Return to senderReturn to sender► Different efforts (Teferra,2008)Different efforts (Teferra,2008)► Brain gainBrain gain► Brain circulationBrain circulation► Brain trust for AfricaBrain trust for Africa► A continuing riskA continuing risk► Challenges in mitigationChallenges in mitigation

International Experience- International Experience- African graduatesAfrican graduates

► Might mean different thingsMight mean different things► Attained in different ways (formal & informal)Attained in different ways (formal & informal)► Formal – may include academic trainingFormal – may include academic training► Varying modes/qualificationsVarying modes/qualifications► Internationalization has been there since pre-colonial Internationalization has been there since pre-colonial

timestimes► Immense Contribution to Africa's developmentImmense Contribution to Africa's development► Pioneer African graduates were trained abroadPioneer African graduates were trained abroad► Immediate post independence universities were very Immediate post independence universities were very

internationalinternational► ½ senior faculty have part of their training abroad½ senior faculty have part of their training abroad► Associated advantages Associated advantages

African graduates…..contAfrican graduates…..cont

► Prestigious qualificationsPrestigious qualifications►Great bulk trained at home…do they have Great bulk trained at home…do they have

international experience?international experience?► International employmentInternational employment► International organizationsInternational organizations►Multiculturalists/ plurality of viewpointsMulticulturalists/ plurality of viewpoints►Different was of doing thingsDifferent was of doing things►Networked societyNetworked society►Wastage of African talent abroad- odd jobsWastage of African talent abroad- odd jobs► Rough terrainRough terrain

African graduates …contAfrican graduates …cont► Employability locallyEmployability locally► Influenced by several other factorsInfluenced by several other factors

-Skills shortage- opportunities-Skills shortage- opportunities-Higher education –pedestal-Higher education –pedestal-Specialized areas.-Specialized areas.-Expanding lobour market-Expanding lobour market-International agencies-locally-International agencies-locally-Labour market shrinking -Labour market shrinking -Competition-Competition-Graduate level training- employment-Graduate level training- employment

► What degree- mattersWhat degree- matters► What about international experience (qualifications) from What about international experience (qualifications) from

other African universities?other African universities?► Change of degrees/degrees of changeChange of degrees/degrees of change

New trendsNew trends► Rejuvenation of African HERejuvenation of African HE► Changing rationales/ Changing destinationsChanging rationales/ Changing destinations► Renewed interests/ New partnerships- Europe, USA, ChinaRenewed interests/ New partnerships- Europe, USA, China► Challenges/risks/opportunities (brain-drain/commodification)Challenges/risks/opportunities (brain-drain/commodification)► Intra-Africa mobilityIntra-Africa mobility► Expansion of the sectorExpansion of the sector► Africa's- Centers of excellence/ Specialized trainingAfrica's- Centers of excellence/ Specialized training► Supportive regional bodies/ Regional protocols e.g. SADC, EACSupportive regional bodies/ Regional protocols e.g. SADC, EAC► Harmonization of programs/systemsHarmonization of programs/systems► Regional labour mobility trendsRegional labour mobility trends► Historical imbalances….Historical imbalances….► Internationalization & Africa's challenges?Internationalization & Africa's challenges?► Development/MDGsDevelopment/MDGs

Points to notePoints to note► Even though international experiences could enhance Even though international experiences could enhance

employability……employability…… AccreditationAccreditation RecognitionRecognition Degree millsDegree mills Credentials evaluation/ComparabilityCredentials evaluation/Comparability VerificationVerification Forgeries & falsificationsForgeries & falsifications Legal constraintsLegal constraints

► International experience is necessary but not sufficient for International experience is necessary but not sufficient for employabilityemployability

► No empirically established link between international experience & No empirically established link between international experience & employability (Corossman & Clarke,2009)….causalityemployability (Corossman & Clarke,2009)….causality

► Tiechler (2009)- international experience does not enhance Tiechler (2009)- international experience does not enhance employability/earningemployability/earning

► Different contextsDifferent contexts► Need for tracer studies of different types of graduatesNeed for tracer studies of different types of graduates

Common Agenda: Same Common Agenda: Same playersplayers

► Another EDULINK Project Another EDULINK Project ► 8 African Universities involved 8 African Universities involved ► “ “ African Universities Develop Strategies to Address the African Universities Develop Strategies to Address the

Implications of Globalization”Implications of Globalization”► Aims to increase expertise of 8 African universities in Aims to increase expertise of 8 African universities in

developing strategies that will deliver graduates to tap global developing strategies that will deliver graduates to tap global knowledge for local/regional development.knowledge for local/regional development.

► Relates closely/ almost synonymous with internationalizationRelates closely/ almost synonymous with internationalization► Includes six expertsIncludes six experts► University leaders…….(leadership is crucial)University leaders…….(leadership is crucial)► Self assessment of capacitySelf assessment of capacity► Development of strategies for internationalizationDevelopment of strategies for internationalization► Pursuing academic excellencePursuing academic excellence► Will be published into a book/Shared experiences.Will be published into a book/Shared experiences.► Continuity after end of project Continuity after end of project

African Network for African Network for Internationalization Internationalization of Education of Education (ANIE)(ANIE)► A non-profit making, non-A non-profit making, non-

governmental, African network governmental, African network ►committed to the advancement of high committed to the advancement of high

quality research, capacity building, quality research, capacity building, information sharing and advocacy on information sharing and advocacy on internationalization of higher internationalization of higher education with prime focus on Africa. education with prime focus on Africa.

►Membership basedMembership based

Constructing a networkConstructing a network► ANIE developed out of a project - ANIE developed out of a project - Higher Education in Africa: Higher Education in Africa:

The International DimensionThe International Dimension ► Comparative analysis of trends in internationalization of Comparative analysis of trends in internationalization of

higher education in Africa. higher education in Africa. ► Book co-published AAU and CIHE, Boston College, USA. Book co-published AAU and CIHE, Boston College, USA. ► Co-editors-Damtew Teferra (CIHE) & Jane Knight (OISE)Co-editors-Damtew Teferra (CIHE) & Jane Knight (OISE)► 12 African countries12 African countries► Revealing & pioneering workRevealing & pioneering work► Senior/ young scholarsSenior/ young scholars► Cairo- NGG/NESICairo- NGG/NESI► Exposure/Trainings Exposure/Trainings ► Gaps identifiedGaps identified

DevelopmentsDevelopments► Project partners meeting in April 2008 decided on formation of Project partners meeting in April 2008 decided on formation of

network.network.► Partners requested Moi University, Kenya to host secretariat Partners requested Moi University, Kenya to host secretariat

and provide staffand provide staff► Founding documents developedFounding documents developed► 11stst Annual Conference 1-4 Sept 2009, Moi University Annual Conference 1-4 Sept 2009, Moi University► 22ndnd Conference- 1 Conference- 1stst week of Nov 2010, Makerere, week of Nov 2010, Makerere,

Uganda…..welcomeUganda…..welcome► Membership & partnerships (IEASA, AAU, IAU,IUCEA, EAIE)Membership & partnerships (IEASA, AAU, IAU,IUCEA, EAIE)► Virtual resourceVirtual resource► Research/Advocacy……, call for grants for research on Research/Advocacy……, call for grants for research on

internationalization internationalization ► New Generation GroupNew Generation Group► Dissemination/Publicity - IAU September issue, JSIE, portal, Dissemination/Publicity - IAU September issue, JSIE, portal,

conferencesconferences

ContactsContacts

African Network for Internationalization African Network for Internationalization of Education (ANIE)of Education (ANIE)

Margaret Thatcher Library Building Margaret Thatcher Library Building (LS03)(LS03)

Moi UniversityMoi University

P.O.Box 3900.Eldoret, Kenya.P.O.Box 3900.Eldoret, Kenya.

Email. Email. sec@anienetwork.orgsec@anienetwork.org

www.anienetwork.orgwww.anienetwork.org