African Universities and Community Relevance: The Role of Continuing Education

Abstract

This paper examines the role and community relevance of African universities, against the backdrop of similar developments in the developed world. The paper submits that the demystifying of university education and the widening of tertiary education access have not been the preserve of foreign universities. Universities in sub-Saharan Africa, especially those with a British colonial past, right from inception, pursued a ‘marriage of the town and the gown’, and sought to be relevant to their communities. This paper discusses the models and programmes of continuing education in sub-Saharan African universities, the challenges faced, and possible mitigation. It addresses the need for enhancing technology and understanding continuing education uniqueness; suggests its usefulness in addressing new sustainable development goals; and defends its continued use for accessing education. The paper also asks for the need to avail resources for it, explore new approaches and utilize existing and new global collaborative opportunities for its promotion.