The dominant global discourse in higher education now focuses on �world-class� universities � inevitably located predominantly in North America, Europe and, increasingly, East Asia. The rest of the world, including Africa, is left to play �catch-up�. But that discourse should focus rather on the tensions, even contradictions, between �excellence� and �engagement� with which all universities must grapple. Here the African experience has much to offer the high-participation and generously resourced systems of the so-called �developed� world. This book offers a critical review of that experience, and so makes a major contribution to our understanding of higher education.