About AfriC
About AfriC
The African Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation (AfriC), located in South Africa, conducts research on practices, approaches and theories of Higher Education Internationlaisation and develop new and more equitable practices and approaches appropriate for the developing and emerging world. In addition, the Centre engages with universities, other higher education institutions, research institutions, academics, researchers and experts from South Africa, Africa and other countries on research projects and research collaboration aimed at the transformation of higher education internationalisation. As a group of experienced higher education practitioners, it is also engaged in capacity building and strategic planning linked to higher education internationalisation.
AfriC has established itself as the independent research platform for African Higher Education Internationalisation.
Our Vision & Objectives
AfriC endeavors to provide expertise and leadership that will promote higher education internationalisation throughout South Africa, Africa and the developing world.
The Centre’s research objectives are:
- to conduct research on practices, approaches and theories of Higher Education internationalisation (to be the resource on intra-Africa mobility, internationalisation at home, internationalisation of the curriculum, international partnerships, student and staff mobility and other related activities and practices);
- to develop new and more equitable practices and approaches appropriate for the developing and emerging world; and
- to engage with universities, research institutions, academics, researchers and experts from South Africa, Africa and other countries on research projects and research collaboration aimed at the role of internationalisation of higher education in the transformation of higher education internationalisation globally; and
- to develop and deliver relevant capacity building programs to higher education academics and professionals on the management of comprehensive higher education internationalisation.
The following five core values embody who we are:
A – Africa-centric, ensuring that we share Africa with the world.
F – Forward-thinking always looking for ways to collaborate and promote knowledge.
R – Responsibility in terms of the environment and the Higher Education community.
I – Innovation in exploring new paradigms to drive internationalisation of higher education during social and political disruption.
C – Caring for the needs of our community, strategic partners, staff and participants.
Our Vision & Objectives
AfriC endeavors to provide expertise and leadership that will promote higher education internationalisation throughout South Africa, Africa and the developing world. AfriC endeavors to provide expertise and leadership that will promote higher education internationalisation throughout South Africa, Africa and the developing world.
The Centre’s research objectives are:
- to conduct research on practices, approaches and theories of Higher Education internationalisation (to be the resource on intra-Africa mobility, internationalisation at home, internationalisation of the curriculum, international partnerships, student and staff mobility and other related activities and practices);
- to develop new and more equitable practices and approaches appropriate for the developing and emerging world; and
- to engage with universities, research institutions, academics, researchers and experts from South Africa, Africa and other countries on research projects and research collaboration aimed at the role of internationalisation of higher education in the transformation of higher education internationalisation globally; and
- to develop and deliver relevant capacity building programs to higher education academics and professionals on the management of comprehensive higher education internationalisation.
The following five core values embody who we are:
A – Africa-centric, ensuring that we share Africa with the world.
F – Forward-thinking always looking for ways to collaborate and promote knowledge.
R – Responsibility in terms of the environment and the Higher Education community.
I – Innovation in exploring new paradigms to drive internationalisation of higher education during social and political disruption.
C – Caring for the needs of our community, strategic partners, staff and participants.
Management Team
Dr Nico Jooste
Dr Nico Jooste is the Founding Member and Director of the African Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation. He has had a diverse higher education career before he formally entered the Higher Education Internationalisation field (in 2000), bringing with him Senior University Management Experience and the experience as a Senior Higher Education Lecturer. Dr Jooste firmly believes that Internationalisation is part of the Institutional Academic project (and not just an administrative activity), and that fundamental research about the practice of internationalisation and the development of the field as an academic discipline should be integrated and practiced throughout the institution and higher education systems.
In all his achievements these believes were always the guiding principle. For instance, at the micro-level he convinced his previous institution to recognise Internationalisation as part of the Academic Governance model of the University and as such it became part of the University Academic Senate, and the position of the Head of Internationalisation being awarded dual title, that of an Administrative Professional as well as that of a Senior Academic leader.
He was the Senior Director of the Office for International Education at Nelson Mandela University (South Africa) from 2000 till 2018 when he retired from the public sector to focus solely on AfriC. He was responsible for the development of the office as a self-funding entity. During his time in office, international student numbers grew from 130 in 2000 to 1500 in 2018. Comprehensive Internationalisation was implemented during this period as a strategic imperative of the University. In 2012, the Office was awarded the Excellence in Internationalisation Award by the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA). Dr Jooste is involved in the re-thinking of higher education internationalisation globally and as such helped arrange the Global Dialogue on the Future of Higher Education Internationalisation, held in January 2014 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He was appointed by the Department of Higher Education and Training to head the advisory committee responsible for the drafting of the South African National Policy for Higher Education Internationalisation. The draft policy was published in June 2017 and would be come national policy during the 2019 calendar year.
He is the former President of the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA). From June 1998 to June 2000, he was the Executive Director of the Eastern Cape Higher Education Association. He was the Deputy Registrar Academic from January 1993 and acting Registrar of the University of Fort Hare from January 1995 to December 1996. Dr Jooste was also a lecturer and senior lecturer in the Department of History and Economic History at the University of Fort Hare from February 1982 to February 1992. His areas of specialisation are the Internationalisation of Higher Education in Developing Countries, the Eastern Cape history and international relations of South Africa during the Cold War. He has published widely on South African history as well as on Higher Education management and Higher Education Internationalisation. He has further presented numerous papers at local and international conferences on both topics, and been the keynote speaker at various international higher education conferences. He is a member of a variety of Global International Education Organisations and was identified by the AIEA as one of the 27 global international education provocateurs in May 2014.
Management Team
Dr Nico Jooste
Dr Nico Jooste is the Founding Member and Director of the African Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation. He has had a diverse higher education career before he formally entered the Higher Education Internationalisation field (in 2000), bringing with him Senior University Management Experience and the experience as a Senior Higher Education Lecturer. Dr Jooste firmly believes that Internationalisation is part of the Institutional Academic project (and not just an administrative activity), and that fundamental research about the practice of internationalisation and the development of the field as an academic discipline should be integrated and practiced throughout the institution and higher education systems.
In all his achievements these believes were always the guiding principle. For instance, at the micro-level he convinced his previous institution to recognise Internationalisation as part of the Academic Governance model of the University and as such it became part of the University Academic Senate, and the position of the Head of Internationalisation being awarded dual title, that of an Administrative Professional as well as that of a Senior Academic leader.
He was the Senior Director of the Office for International Education at Nelson Mandela University (South Africa) from 2000 till 2018 when he retired from the public sector to focus solely on AfriC. He was responsible for the development of the office as a self-funding entity. During his time in office, international student numbers grew from 130 in 2000 to 1500 in 2018. Comprehensive Internationalisation was implemented during this period as a strategic imperative of the University. In 2012, the Office was awarded the Excellence in Internationalisation Award by the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA). Dr Jooste is involved in the re-thinking of higher education internationalisation globally and as such helped arrange the Global Dialogue on the Future of Higher Education Internationalisation, held in January 2014 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He was appointed by the Department of Higher Education and Training to head the advisory committee responsible for the drafting of the South African National Policy for Higher Education Internationalisation. The draft policy was published in June 2017 and would be come national policy during the 2019 calendar year.
He is the former President of the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA). From June 1998 to June 2000, he was the Executive Director of the Eastern Cape Higher Education Association. He was the Deputy Registrar Academic from January 1993 and acting Registrar of the University of Fort Hare from January 1995 to December 1996. Dr Jooste was also a lecturer and senior lecturer in the Department of History and Economic History at the University of Fort Hare from February 1982 to February 1992. His areas of specialisation are the Internationalisation of Higher Education in Developing Countries, the Eastern Cape history and international relations of South Africa during the Cold War. He has published widely on South African history as well as on Higher Education management and Higher Education Internationalisation. He has further presented numerous papers at local and international conferences on both topics, and been the keynote speaker at various international higher education conferences. He is a member of a variety of Global International Education Organisations and was identified by the AIEA as one of the 27 global international education provocateurs in May 2014.
Mr Christo Christowitz
Mr Christo Christowitz forms part of the management of the African Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation. Mr Christowitz joined the University of Cape Town’s Information Technology Services in February 1982 with the responsibility to assist with the design and development of a new Student Management system, which also had to provide information to the South African Post-Secondary Education system (SAPSE) of the Department of Higher Education.
He then joined Integrated Tertiary Software Pty (Ltd), later renamed to ITS Holdings (Pty) Ltd, in January 1990 and was appointed as a director with responsibility for business development, product renewal strategy and expansion into new territories in 1994. As such he has extensive knowledge of education systems in Southern Africa, English speaking African countries, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.
He established and managed both of the company’s subsidiary companies in Ireland and New Zealand.
ITS Holdings (Pty) Ltd was sold to Adapt IT Pty (Ltd), a South African JSE listed entity, effective 30 June 2009, in order to acquire a BEE partner in South Africa. He retired from Adapt IT at the end of June 2017, having been the Managing Director of the Education Division of Adapt IT from July 2014 up to Jan 2017.
Mr Christo Christowitz
Mr Christo Christowitz forms part of the management of the African Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation. Mr Christowitz joined the University of Cape Town’s Information Technology Services in February 1982 with the responsibility to assist with the design and development of a new Student Management system, which also had to provide information to the South African Post-Secondary Education system (SAPSE) of the Department of Higher Education.
He then joined Integrated Tertiary Software Pty (Ltd), later renamed to ITS Holdings (Pty) Ltd, in January 1990 and was appointed as a director with responsibility for business development, product renewal strategy and expansion into new territories in 1994. As such he has extensive knowledge of education systems in Southern Africa, English speaking African countries, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.
He established and managed both of the company’s subsidiary companies in Ireland and New Zealand.
ITS Holdings (Pty) Ltd was sold to Adapt IT Pty (Ltd), a South African JSE listed entity, effective 30 June 2009, in order to acquire a BEE partner in South Africa. He retired from Adapt IT at the end of June 2017, having been the Managing Director of the Education Division of Adapt IT from July 2014 up to Jan 2017.
Board of Directors
Professor Vivienne Lawack
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the University of the Western Cape
Prof Lawack is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the University of the Western Cape (from 2015). In this capacity she is responsible for the academic project at the university, with all seven Faculties and five Directorates reporting to her, including Academic Planning, Teaching and Learning, Centre for Innovative Educational Communication Technologies (E-learning), Information Communication Services and Community Engagement.
Besides her role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, she remains an avid researcher and has published 28 articles in accredited law journals, 3 contributions in books, 3 published conference proceedings, 3 technical reports and delivered 21 conference papers, both locally and internationally. At present, she is a member of the editorial panel of the South African Mercantile Law Journal, on the editorial board of The Annual Survey of South African Law and the chair of the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC) Board.
From 2008 till 2015, she served as the Nelson Mandela University’s Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law. She joined NMU after having spent a number of years at the South African Reserve Bank in various capacities (including senior payment system analyst, senior legal consultant and legal consultant) and as the Senior Legal Counsel for Strate Limited, South Africa’s central securities depository. Her field of research is legal and regulatory frameworks pertaining to the payment system, banking system and financial markets.
Mr Leolyn Jackson
Director: International Office, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein
Mr Jackson has a treasure trove of experience as both an academic and leader of internationalisation in the Higher Education sector.
Mr Jackson has worked in the Higher Education sector for more than 25 years, as a Senior Lecturer, Head of Student Enrolment, Director of the Southern African-Nordic Centre (SANORD), and Director of the International Relations Office (IRO) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). During his tenure at UWC, he served as a member of the UWC Executive Management Committee and the UWC Senate, and chaired the Senate International Relations Committee. In addition, he managed SANORD, a consortium of 45 universities from the Nordic and Southern African regions. He is the former President of the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA, 2017-2018). Furthermore, Mr Jackson is a member of various networks and organisations, such as the African Network for Internationalisation of Education (ANIE), the European Association for International Education (EAIE), the Asia Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE), and the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA). His research interest focuses on the internationalisation of Higher Education. He was appointed as Director of the International Office at the Central University of Technology (South Africa) in August 2017.
Mr Cornelius Hagenmeier
Director: Office for International Affairs at University of the Free State
Mr Hagenmeier is an international education administrator and legal academic who is rooted in the German and South African jurisdictions. Hagenmeier’s academic focus includes the internationalisation of higher education. He obtained his qualification to be appointed as a judge in Germany before he decided to settle in South Africa in 2002. He holds a South African LL.B. degree (UNISA) and a South African LL.M degree (UCT). He is a non-practising attorney of the High Court of South Africa. He accepted an appointment at the University of Venda in 2007 in the Department of Public Law and was then appointed the Institution’s Director of International Relations. Mr Hagenmeier is currently the Director of the Office for International Affairs at the University of the Free State, South Africa.