**1. Introduction**

In this chapter the focus is on higher education (HE) curricula innovation geared towards online teaching and learning and responsiveness to the demands of globalization. Globalization is inevitable worldwide phenomenon regardless of the different countries' existing social, cultural, economic and political boundaries. "Globalization serves as the impetus for sociopolitical and economic change and… perpetuates a borderless world where practices and ideas are shared across space and time aided by technology, mobility, communication, socioeconomic relationship, and environmental interdependence" ([1], p. 21). Indeed, the impact of globalization may have fueled many new developments, such as, the increased focus on knowledge-related resources (an innovation, an idea, a solution) as opposed to tangible industrial natural resources (land, timber, rubber) in traditional economies. As such, globalization has led to many "unprecedented developments in information technologies and social media; the pervasive impact of economic liberalization and trade agreements; the increased

#### **Figure 1.**

*Shows the complexity of higher education curricula innovation demands for the 21st century knowledge production.*

flow of people, ideas, capital, values, services, goods and technology across borders" ([2], p. 5). HE has also been and continues to be impacted by the globalization storm. Therefore, higher education institutions (HEIs) have had to adjust their curricula and the programs they offer to enhance their students' ability to competently face the globalization challenges and opportunities which are many and complex as reflected in **Figure 1**. However, HEIs in Africa have been slow in terms of curricula innovation, yet, the globalization and technological influences continue to emerge and will remain so as an important part of our daily lives and society.
