Calls for assistance for higher education in Africa

Accra April 12, GNA- Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr, Secretary=96General of the Association of African Universities on Thursday called for more investments and developmental assistance for higher education on the Continent.

Prof. Sawyerr made the call at two-day stakeholders' consultative workshop, on Higher Education, Science and Technology in Accra. About 60 participants from the Continent are deliberating on topics like: 93Science, Technology and Development in Africa, "Public-private Partnership for Education, Science and Technology Development," 93Rebuilding Higher Infrastructure for Higher Education, Science and Technology" among other things. Speaking on the topic: 93The State Of The Higher Education in Africa, Issues and Challenges", Prof. Sawyerr stressed the need for African universities to be assisted to link up with global networks on the World wide web.

The web, he said would enhance greater access of African scholars to laboratories and experimental sites of best institutions in the world. "There should be greater support for sub-regional and continent wide associations and institutions to facilitate increased interaction and collective work among Africa's institution of knowledge and learning," he emphasised.

Prof. Sawyerr observed that the number of universities as well as enrolments in Sub-Saharan Africa had increased dramatically following the wave of political independence. "From a total of 52 in 1960, to over 300 in 2000 and still climbing, yet many African countries still have only one, two or three universities."

This he attributed to the increasing cost of education and the low enrolment of women. On science and technology, Prof. Sawyerr noted that communication revolution has led to increased movement of ideas; people, resources and also increased competition.

He said these factors had increased the potential for erasing the gap between developed and developing countries. "In my judgement without proper intellectual input, the prospects for devising and implementing polices and actions necessary for sustainable development under the current conditions are dim." He mentioned problems of access and equality, funding as some of the challenges facing African universities. Prof. Sawyerr said notwithstanding these problems a new spirit was dawning on Africa in the 1990's.

He said most African government had re-focused on the tertiary education sector by introducing significant system level reforms. "The African Union and the New Partnership for Africa's Development aspiring to reclaim the ownership and intellectual leadership of the African development process have accorded higher education, science and technology a special place in their strategic and action plans." 12 April 07