Dr. Abrahams was formerly a professor at Syracuse University, New York, where he offered teaching and research programs in African Studies and International Education. He holds a doctorate in English from the University of Alberta and honorary degrees from the State University of New York and the Université de la Réunion, France.

Dr. Abrahams has written several books on English Literature and African Literature and has published more than 200 articles in international scholarly journals. He has served as Professor of English at several Canadian, African, and U.S. universities and has given guest lectures and conference presentations at universities throughout the world. Dr. Abrahams has been Dean of Humanities at Brock University in Ontario, Canada; Vice-President, Academic and Provost at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada; and Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. He has been a member of several Higher Education Commissions in Canada and South Africa, has served as President of scholarly and administrative councils.

Dr. Abrahams is frequently consulted on educational matters in Africa.