Africaneeds national science and technology councils

Winneba, (Central Region) 13, Nov. 1998

African governments have been urged to establish nationalscience and technology councils to include cabinet ministers and headed by their Heads of State. Their function shall be to identify priorities and co-ordinate research and developmentactivities in the universities and other research institutes. Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, Principal of the University College of Education,Winneba, made the call at Winneba when he spoke on ''Science and Technology University Education in Africa, Strategy for the 21st Century'', as part of activities marking this year's Africa University Day celebrations. Prof. Anamuah-Mensah said the proposed Science and Technology Councils will ensure the application of science and technology in their countries and encourage investments among others. He said ''the need for African governments to maintain a strong commitment to university-industry partnerships for forging stronger links between the educational community and the work place is very urgent now''. "Science and technology education should be aimed at training skilled manpowerwith entrepreneurial background for the private sector of the economy." He said the time has come for African governments to set up university endowmentfunds in their countries and to encourage well-to-do citizens and industrialconcerns to contribute to the funds to promote university education. Prof. Anamuah-Mensah, therefore, charged African governments to be more committed to funding of science and technology education for the survival of their countries. GRi....../