Intellectual flexibility, innovative partnerships and collaborations in the African university of the 21st century: policy challenges and way forward

Policy challenges facing African universities are well documented and relate to such issues as curricula, governance, funding, roles and expectations. To meet these challenges calls for radical and strategic changes that will impact on the overall policy and practice of universities as presently constituted. This paper argues that it is imperative for different intellectual communities to connect and seek solutions to policy, theoretical and practical challenges. The paper posits that intellectual flexibility, innovative partnerships and collaborative initiatives should be acknowledged and identified as priority options that require redress by the African university of the 21st century.