University reform: changing the university to meet new needs

The legitimacy and mission of the African university has been challenged over the years not so much because the University is of foreign origin but rather because of its failure during the last few decades to adapt itself to the challenges of development faced by African countries. This paper will discuss possible areas of university reform in Africa in general and more specifically in Zimbabwe. It is presented in two main parts. Part I tries to show that the imported model' has failed to respond adequately to the needs of African countries; notwithstanding the adaptations that have been made in terms of governance and learning content. Part II of the paper discusses the potential role of the university as an agent of change, focusing principally on the role of the university in the process of cultural transformation and the development of high level manpower.

A conference paper on university reforms in order to meet new challenges.