Governance of Higher Education Institutions
A rigorous, structure-focused course for senior academics, heads of department, deans, senate/council members, and academic administrators who must understand how universities are governed, regulated, and held accountable. It maps the internal governance architecture of higher education institutions and the statutory, regulatory, and quality-assurance frameworks that shape them, explicitly grounded in African institutional realities and CAA's accreditation ethos. The course equips leaders to interpret institutional instruments, clarify the roles and boundaries of governance actors, and safeguard academic standards through effective quality assurance and accreditation readiness.
A rigorous, structure-focused course for senior academics, heads of department, deans, senate/council members, and academic administrators who must understand how universities are governed, regulated, and held accountable. It maps the internal governance architecture of higher education institutions and the statutory, regulatory, and quality-assurance frameworks that shape them, explicitly grounded in African institutional realities and CAA's accreditation ethos.
Instruction & Evaluation
Online / Asynchronous (Self-Paced with Faculty Mentorship)
Self-paced modular instruction with continuous continental access via the CAA Member Portal, supplemented by faculty moderation.
Continuous Assessment & Practical Portfolio
Continuous Assessment (30%) — governance case studies, statutory-instrument analysis, applied exercises (evidence-verified per the CAA CPD verification convention). Participation & Professional Conduct (30%) — seminar engagement and governance-scenario participation. Capstone Reflective Assessment (40%) — a Governance Analysis Report (1,000–1,500 words): a critical institutional governance mapping of the participant's own institution or a modelled African university, including a risk/opportunity recommendation. Credential: Certificate of Completion in Governance of Higher Education Institutions (3 CPD credits).
What You Will Master
- Map the governance architecture of a university (Council, Senate, Faculty Boards, committees, executive and administrative offices) and explain how authority and accountability flow between them.
- Interpret key constitutional, statutory, and regulatory instruments (university Acts/statutes, national higher-education and accreditation bodies) governing institutions in African jurisdictions.
- Analyse the roles, responsibilities, and boundaries of governance actors (Vice-Chancellor, registrar, deans, senate, council, students, and external stakeholders).
- Apply principles of accountability, transparency, and separation of powers to real institutional governance scenarios, including handling conflicts of interest and compliance risk.
- Navigate quality assurance, benchmarking, and accreditation processes (including mock accreditation) as an institutional leader.
5 Modules
The Architecture of Higher Education Governance
Establishes the structural skeleton of the university. Distinguishes governance from management, maps the institutional organs — Governing Council, Senate, Faculty Boards, academic and research committees — and clarifies the roles of executive officers (Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Deans). Traces the accountability chains and reporting lines connecting these bodies.
3 Lessons
Statutory, Legal & Regulatory Frameworks
Grounds governance in law. Examines the university Act, charter, statutes, and by-laws that constitute and govern institutions, and the national regulatory bodies — universities commissions and accreditation agencies — that oversee them. Addresses the tension between institutional autonomy and public accountability and orients participants to the distinctive legal environment of African universities.
3 Lessons
Internal Governance in Practice: Senate, Faculty & Committees
Moves from the legal framework to the everyday operation of academic governance. Focuses on the academic Senate and its powers, faculty and board management, and the design and conduct of committees — terms of reference, effective meeting governance, and delegation of authority. Teaches how collegial decision-making works and how to govern it competently without eroding collegiality.
3 Lessons
Accountability, Transparency & Ethical Governance
Addresses governance as a moral and fiduciary responsibility. Explores governance ethics, conflicts of interest, corruption-risk and integrity safeguards, financial accountability in governance, and accountability to the full range of stakeholders (students, staff, public, government). Teaches participants to recognise and mitigate governance risks and build institutional cultures of transparency and integrity.
3 Lessons
Quality Assurance & Accreditation in Governance
Connects governance to the safeguarding of academic standards. Examines internal and external quality-assurance (QA) systems, benchmarking and institutional audits, and accreditation readiness — including mock-accreditation processes of the kind CAA conducts. Teaches the governing role leaders play in establishing a quality culture, aligning with continental frameworks (ASG-QA/PAQAF), and preparing institutions for successful national accreditation.
3 Lessons
Weekly Topics
Ready to enrol in LMA302?
Access this course, study modular pedagogical frameworks, and earn verified CPD credits through the CAA member portal.
54 AU NATIONS • CONTINENTAL RECOGNITION • SOVEREIGN FACULTY REGISTER
