Regionalization of Higher Education: A Comparative Analysis of University Alliances in Africa, Asia, and Europe

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 9:00 am
  In Roundtable Session: Educational Systems and Outcomes in Educational Settings (Table 2)

Abstract

This comparative case study investigates the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) in Africa, the Asian Universities Alliance (AUA) in Asia, and The Guild in Europe with a focus on regionalization of higher education. The study explores their rationales, organizational structures, and strategies for achieving regional advantages. Findings indicate distinct regional needs and approaches to meet the demands. The Guild emphasizes European research collaboration and political engagement, ARUA aims to enhance African universities' global competitiveness, and AUA focuses on promoting mutual cultural awareness. This study is significant, in that it contributes to the understanding of emerging and non-Western models of university alliances. Besides, it highlights potential inequalities in university alliances, by implying latent power dynamics within and between organizations.

Authors

• YoungHoon Koh, The University of Arizona

• Jessica Amarilla, University of Arizona