AAU Conference recommends more focus on Science and Technology Innovation

Stellenbosch (SA), June 7, GNA – Delegates at the just-ended Conference of Rectors, Vice-Chancellors and Presidents of African Universities (COREViP) asked African Governments to prioritise funding to develop higher education with focus on Science and Technology Innovation (STI).

In a 16-point recommendation adopted, they said although the global economy was driven by STI infrastructure, Africa remained a notable exception with a low profile on STI.

The trend in STI infrastructure has led to the rapid transformation of economies around the world, making enormous impact on economic growth and poverty reduction but its development in Africa is discouraging.

The theme for the Conference was: "Strengthening the Space of Higher Education in Africa".

It aimed at meeting the clarion call on institutions that trained graduates with the technical know-how in addressing the enormous challenges in the developmental growth on the continent.

The event is organised every two years to examine collectively, themes identified as common concerns and priorities for the development of higher education in member institutions in particular, and Africa in general.

Hosted by the Stellenbosch University, the meeting was organised by the AAU with the support of UNESCO, World Bank, African Union Commission, African Development Bank, Swedish based Sida/SAREC and other donor organisations.

Ghana was among the participating countries that included South Africa, Nigeria, Sudan, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

Ghana's delegation included Professor Ernest Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, Vice-Chancellor of University of Cape Coast, Professor Victor Yao Gadzekpo, President of Central University and Professor Ellis William Otoo, Vice-Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

The rest were, Professor Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, Vice Chancellor of University of Education, Winneba, Professor Joshua Alabi, Rector of Institute of Professional Studies, Mr Kojo Yankah, President of African University College of Communications, and Dr Pascal Hoba, AAU's Head of Communication and Services Department.

“African Governments should also establish national policies and frameworks to facilitate private sector support to ICT for education and work with AAU to negotiate affordable licences bandwidth for educational institutions,” according to the recommendations.

They should further accelerate policies on Quality Assurance across public and private institutions in the wake of the numerous private universities that were springing up across the continent.

The delegates also asked the African Union (AU) to among other things work closely with AAU to deliver on Second Decade Education to drive the continent's development agenda forward.

The AU should further establish an endowment fund for higher education in furtherance to the need and called for improved educational standards in higher education on the continent.

The funding agencies and development partners asked for prioritise on funding to higher education development in Africa especially for ICTs, e-libraries, post-graduate training and research among other things.

“Partners should ensure transparency and mutual benefit in funding policies and mechanisms and provide constructive feedback while monitoring for accountability”.

The recommendation said the AAU should take steps to address under-representation of Universities from the Arab Region and consider organising a forum on the role and contribution of private universities to African higher education.

It said, “Funding is key and AAU should continue to draw attention of stakeholders to the need for increased funding to African Higher Education. Amend its constitution to allow networks and regional associations to enrol as full members.”

The recommendations called for increase awareness of stakeholders on the recent developments in higher education and intensify capacity building in proposal and research grant writing and fundraising whilst adopting innovative approaches to resource mobilization.

Sponsor – AAU
From: Mrs Yaa Oforiwah Asare-Peasah Stellenbosch – South Africa