The African Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation (AfriC), located in South Africa, conducts research on practices, approaches and theories of Higher Education Internationalisation and develops 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.
Vision & Objectives
AfriC endeavours to provide expertise and leadership that will promote higher education internationalisation throughout South Africa, Africa and the developing world.
Research Objectives
- 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.
- 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.
- To develop and deliver relevant capacity building programs to higher education academics and professionals on the management of comprehensive higher education internationalisation.
Ensuring that we share Africa with the world.
Always looking for ways to collaborate and promote knowledge.
In terms of the environment and the Higher Education community.
Exploring new paradigms to drive internationalisation during social and political disruption.
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.
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. During his time in office, international student numbers grew from 130 in 2000 to 1500 in 2018. In 2012, the Office was awarded the Excellence in Internationalisation Award by the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA). Dr Jooste 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.
He is the former President of the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA). 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, and been the keynote speaker at various international higher education conferences. He was identified by the AIEA as one of the 27 global international education provocateurs in May 2014.
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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. 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. 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 January 2017.
Board of Directors
Mr Cornelius Hagenmeier
Mr Cornelius Hagenmeier is the Director of the Office for International Affairs at the University of the Free State. He serves in a voluntary capacity as a Director of the African Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation and has co-authored publications on internationalisation with Dr Jooste.
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