African leadership university: implementation strategies for innovative mass higher education
Publication date: 23 June 2021
Abstract
Learning outcomes
After studying this case, students should be able to: explain how strategic management relates to the areas of innovation, operations, technology, entrepreneurship and emerging markets; analyse strategy implementation and execution at the operational level, in contrast to strategy formulation at the strategic mission, values and vision level; discuss innovation, entrepreneurship and new technologies in emerging markets; and assess the impact of technology-driven entrepreneurship on significant socio-economic change that is on transformational entrepreneurship, in emerging markets.
Case overview/synopsis
This case outlines key global challenges facing higher education in the African context. It discusses the African Leadership University (ALU) as an innovative higher education institution, including its origins, establishment, strategy and purpose, curriculum, technology and operations, student support network and funding. It also describes ALU’s ongoing challenges and future prospects. ALU was launched in 2015 by Fred Swaniker, founder and chief executive officer and Khurram Masood, co-founder and chief operating officer. ALU’s vision was to transform Africa by developing and connecting three million high-calibre, ethical and entrepreneurial leaders by 2035. In August 2019, Swaniker and Masood considered how to ensure ALU’s sustainability and its vision. They had already changed ALU’s operational strategy by establishing micro-campuses instead of universities to scale rapidly and avoid regulatory barriers. However, would that be enough to uphold ALU’s vision for 2035?
Complexity academic level
This case is appropriate for postgraduate-level academic programmes and executive education programmes in management.
Supplementary materials
Teaching Notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 11: Strategy.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Disclaimer. This case is written solely for educational purposes and is not intended to represent successful or unsuccessful managerial decision-making. The authors may have disguised names; financial and other recognisable information to protect confidentiality.
Citation
Mzyece, M., Soumonni, O. and Townsend, S.A. (2021), "African leadership university: implementation strategies for innovative mass higher education", , Vol. 11 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/EEMCS-03-2020-0084
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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