South Africa as a Geopolitical Hub for Migration and International Student Mobility

Year 2020, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 99 - 108, 30.12.2020

Chika Sehoole Jenny Lee

Abstract

This paper examines the rise of higher education within geopolitical hubs, based on the case of South Africa. South Africa has strategic geographic, economic and political features that contribute to its emergence as a geopolitical hub. This paper discusses the concept of a geopolitical hub in the South African context based on three focus areas: (1) transport, trade and tourism; (2) global and regional multilateral organisations; (3) peace and political stability; and (4) regional agreements. As we will explore, all these aspects have direct implications for international student mobility.

Keywords

South Africa, student mobility, higher education

References

• Bashir, S. 2007. “Trends in International Trade in Higher Education: Implications and Options for Developing Countries.” Education Working Paper Series, 6, World Bank.
• Department of Higher Education and Training [DHET], Republic of South Africa. 2013. White paper for post-school education and training: Building an expanded, effective and integrated post-school system. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov.za/commissions/FeesHET/docs/2013-WhitePaper-Post-SchoolEducationAndTraining.pdf
• Department of Transport, Republic of South Africa. 2014. Department of Transport on its 2014 Strategic Plan, with Deputy Minister in attendance. Retrieved from https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/17288/
• Draper, P., and Scholvin, S. 2012. “The Economic Gateway to Africa? Geography, Strategy and South Africa’s Regional Economic Relations.” SAIIA Occasional Papers, 121, September.
• Evans, M. 1984. The front-line states, South Africa and Southern African security: Military prospects and perspectives. Department of History, University of Zimbabwe. (Internal Document)
• Fairgrieve, J. 1917. Geography and World Power. 8th ed. London: University of London Press.
• Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), South African Year Book, 2003/04. Republic of South Africa Retrieved from http://www.gcis.gov.za/sites/www.gcis.gov.za/files/docs/resourcecentre/yearbook/2004/11forrel.pdf
• Games, Dianna. 2003. The experience of South African firms doing business in Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs.
• Herman, C 2011.Elusive equity in doctoral education in South Africa. Journal of Education and Work, February 2011: 1-24
• Institute of International Education [IIE]. 2019. Open Doors 2019.
• Kotecha, P, Wilson-Strydom, M., and Fongwa, S.M., eds. 2012. A Profile of Higher Education in Southern Africa – Volume 2: National Perspectives. Johannesburg: SARUA (Southern African Regional Universities Association).
• Kwaramba, M. 2012. “Internationalisation of Higher Education in Southern Africa with South Africa as a Major Exporter.” Journal of International Education and Leadership, 2 (1): 1-23.
• National Plan for Higher Education in South Africa [NPHE]. 2001. Draft National Plan for Higher Education in South Africa. Retrieved from http://www.unisa.ac.za/contents/projects/docs/National%20Plan%20Higher%20Education.pdf
• Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD]. 2014. Education at a Glance 2014: OECD Indicators, OECD Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/eag-2014-enOECD. 2015.
• Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD]. 2019. Education at a Glance. Retrieved from http://www.oecd.org/education/education-at-a-glance-2019.htm
• Odén, B. 2000. “The Southern Africa region and the regional hegemon”. In National Perspectives on the New Regionalities in the South, eds. B. Hettne, Inotia, and Sunkel O, New York: Macmillan.
• Scholvin, S. 2011. “Emerging non-OECD Countries: Global Shifts in Power and Geopolitical Regionalization.” Economics, Management, and Financial Markets, 6 (1): 19-43.
• Sehoole, C., and De Wit, H. 2014. “The Regionalisation, Internationalisation, and Globalisation of African Higher Education.” International Journal of African Higher Education 1 (1): 216-241.
• Slaughter, S., and Leslie, L. 1997. Academic capitalism. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press.
• Slaughter, S., and Rhoades, G. 2004. Academic capitalism and the new economy: Markets, state, and higher education. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Southern Africa Development Community [SADC]. 1997. Protocol on Education and Training. Retrieved from http://www.unisa.ac.za/contents/projects/docs/SADC%20PROTOCOL%20ON%20EDUCATION%20%20AND%20TRAINING.pdf
• Spykman, N.J. 1942. America’s Strategy in World Politics: The United States and the Balance of Power. Brunswick (USA) and London (UK): Transaction Publishers.
• The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNCHR]. 2013. Global Trends 2012. Displacement, the 21st Century Challenge. Retrieved from http://unhcr.org/globaltrendsjune2013
• The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNCHR]. 2013. Global Appeal: South Africa. Retrieved from http://www.unhcr.org/528a0a2916.html
• World Economic Forum. 2015. Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report. Retrieved from http://reports.weforum.org/travel-and-tourism-competitiveness-report-2015/index-results-the-travel-tourism-competitiveness-index-ranking-2015/
• Zeleza, P.T. 2003. “Academic freedom in the neo-liberal order: Governments, globalization, governance and gender,” Journal of Higher Education in Africa, 1 (1): 149-194.