Normative influence of the Bologna Process on French-speaking African universities

Higher education – from global trends to local realities

“…There are counter discourses and movements to a competitive, commercially oriented higher education model (see, for example Neary & Saunders 2016). However, a broad consensus supports the view that the knowledge economy is the globally dominant one, and we can see neoliberal university policies implemented from Africa (Croché & Charlier 2012) to Australia (Marginson 2006). This worldwide view is important because it gives us a real sense that there are globally connected trends playing out, rather than a case of countries operating entirely independent of each other.…”

Policy diffusion and transfer of the Bologna Process in Africa’s national, sub-regional and regional contexts

“…(As described by a special advisor for the reform of the Chancellor of the University of Burundi, cited in Provini, 2017: 8-9) As noted by Croché and Charlier (2012), in French-speaking Africa the BP was confused with the LMD reforms in France, which is the French application of the BP. In some French-speaking African countries, the use of the LMD rather than the explicit reference to the BP could be because some nationalists and politicians were sensitive to all that comes from France as a former colonialist (Boufeldja, 2013: 271).…”

Universities and standardization instruments: the willingness to put an end to the organized anarchy

“…For example, the learning outcomes approach is integrated in the Tuning (Tuning Educational Structures in Europe) project which was first launched in Europe and which aims to contribute to the transparency of curricula as well as the development of learning outcomes and quality assurance. This project was used also as a model by countries from South America, Russia, United states and Africa which have adapted it to their own needs (Croché & Charlier, 2012). Then, now, it is impossible to think reforms engaged in Europe without considering their worldwide integration.…”