5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

This session explores the relationship between African openness and the internationalization of higher education, and their impact on the social fabric of African societies, with a particular focus on politics, pedagogy and community engagement.The sociological dimensions of Africanization/internationalization in African higher education are of paramount importance for several reasons. Firstly, the increasing mobility of students, faculty, and academic programs across borders has the potential to reshape the demographic composition of African universities, leading to complex dynamics of diversity, inclusion, and equity. Secondly, the interplay between international and local cultures within the higher education setting can have profound implications for the development of cross-cultural competence, and intercultural dialogue. Thirdly, the internationalization of higher education in Africa has significant ramifications for the relationship between universities and local communities. As African universities become more globally oriented, it is essential to investigate the sociological impact on community engagement, social responsibility, and the role of higher education in addressing local and regional socio-economic challenges. Exploring these dynamics can shed light on the social and cultural factors that influence the mobility and retention of African academic talent. The most important thematic axes are:

• Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in Internationalized Higher Education
• Intercultural Dynamics and the Development of Cross-Cultural Competences
• Institutional Transformation and the Organizational Culture of Internationalized African Universities
• Challenges and opportunities for the development of academic and scientific cooperation between African universities
• Brain Drain, Brain Circulation, and the Role of Diaspora Networks in Internationalization