This book covers the history and politics of higher education in Africa south of the Sahara, as well as contemporary issues, problems, and weaknesses of African universities. The need for a new look at the mission of the university in the 21st century is also addressed. Chapters cover the following topics: (1) higher education in Africa before 1900; (2) colonialism and higher education; (3) decolonization and higher education, 1945-1960; (4) the politics of independence and higher education, 1960-70; (5) the formation, development, and programs of the Association of African Universities; (6) higher education and African development in the 1970s and 1980s; (7) the problems of the 1990s (such as diminishing financial resources, access and equity, and campus politics; (8) special issues (such as academic freedom and university autonomy, effectiveness and efficiency, and university governance); (9) the mission of the African university; (10) new expectations and reorientations (such as science and technology, postgraduate education, regional cooperation, and gender discrepancies); and (11) outreach. Appendices contain a "Handbook on Academic Freedom and University Autonomy" and "Code of Conduct for Academics." (Contains approximately 200 references.) (PRW)