Academic Citizenship in Private Higher Education Institutions: A South African Reflection

The evolving landscape of higher education is subjecting the roles of universities and academics to increased scrutiny. Despite the global proliferation of private higher education institutions (HEIs), academic discourse predominantly concentrates on public institutions, creating a significant knowledge gap regarding the distinctive dynamics within private HEIs. This chapter addresses this gap and employs a narrative literature review methodology to synthesise existing research qualitatively. The comparative analysis of factors influencing academic citizenship in private and public HEIs uncovers unique features in governance structures, funding considerations, autonomy, mission and values, student demographics and research activities. The chapter reveals a persistent justice crisis in resource distribution, organisational procedures and faculty interactions within HEIs and underscores the imperative for a holistic approach to academic citizenship discourse, emphasising private institutions’ unique challenges. Consequently, the chapter advocates for an inclusive perspective and recognises the diverse landscapes of private and public HEIs. The identified challenges and distinctions between private and public HEIs underscore the necessity of considering the institutional context in shaping expectations around academic citizenship. The chapter contributes to the existing literature by exploring the underexamined role of private HEIs in shaping academic citizenship and also urges a comprehensive understanding that incorporates the distinct contexts of private and public HEIs.