Academic Xenophobia and Internationalization
Prof. Jonathan Jansen discusses the rising academic xenophobia in South African universities and how it contradicts internationalization.
It is stated that xenophobia in South African universities has extended into academic corridors and is inconsistent with the goal of internationalization.
Xenophobia in Academia
Xenophobia is no longer limited to the streets; it has now reached university corridors.
This situation poses a serious problem that directly affects the work of international offices at universities.
The Internationalization Contradiction
The concepts of xenophobia and internationalization are diametrically opposed and completely incompatible processes.
It is impossible to be globally inclusive with an exclusionary mindset.
The Core Role of Universities
South African universities are not a government department or a political party and must protect their core values.
Universities must stand against state interventions that contradict their raison d'être.
Responsibility of Administrations
For academic xenophobia to spread, university leaders must be complicit in this process.
Managers fuel this dangerous trend by producing discriminatory policies and applying pressure.
Recommendations for IEASA
The International Education Association of South Africa must take concrete steps against academic xenophobia.
The association should take a decisive stance against such discourse by establishing regular policy reports and a policy desk.