Kumasi, July 14, GNA - Universities on the African continent had been challenged to forge closer collaboration in areas of common interests to benefit the continent.

Dr Ir Saidi Kibeya, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Burundi, said the continent abounded in rich natural and human resources which the universities could tap. This, he said, was crucial in ensuring technological and industrial advancement for sustainable socio-economic development to reduce poverty, hunger, poor sanitation, diseases, high population growth rate and increase life expectancy.

The minister said this in an interaction with authorities of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) when he toured the university as part of his visit to the country. Dr Kibeya lauded the founding fathers of KNUST which was at the fore-front of Ghana's search for scientific and technological breakthrough to address the challenges facing the continent. He said science and technology held the key to unlocking Africa's potentials and that corporate bodies and the leadership among other stakeholders should invest in the education of the citizenry in those two areas to enhance industrialization.

Dr Kibeya announced that the purpose of visiting KNUST was to strike partnership between the university and the University of Burundi in areas of engineering, information technology, agriculture, science and research for the mutual benefit of both countries. He expressed optimism that the KNUST would embrace the idea of partnering his country to brainstorm and share ideas to strengthen the human resource base of the two countries. Professor William Ellis, Pro-Vice Chancellor of KNUST, hailed the bold step of the Ministry of Higher Education of Burundi in striking partnership with the University and expressed the hope that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would soon be signed to pave way for the exchange of ideas. 14 July 09