conference

Africa Knows! It is time to decolonise minds

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Accepted Paper: C13-05. To panel C13.

Title of paper:

Author:

Clara Carvalho (ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon).

Long abstract paper:
The landscape of European Higher Education changed with the implementation of the European Higher Education Area, the so called Bologna Process, and the role of the European Universities Association. Erasmus programs have been highly efective in creating a common ground. In Africa, the basis of the harmonization of African higher education process was established by the Arusha Convention, adopted in 1981 in Arusha, Tanzania (UNESCO, 1981) that provides a framework for the recognition of studies and degrees of higher education in Africa. This was followed by the African Higher Education Harmonization Strategy (2007) to facilitate mutual recognition of academic qualifications and improve intra-African academic mobility. Agenda 2063, which includes the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16-25)and the Continental TVET Strategy is a good starting point to look up at the leading lines orienting future changes. These strategies could leverage African-European cooperation in Higher Education. Knowledge infrastrucures in both continents, particularly within the EU and the AU, need to be addressed and strategically endorsed to improve this flow. In this communication I look at the main obstacles - and good exemples - that are obstructing these cooperation.