By VIOLET NAKAMBA MENGO (ZAMBIA)
African governments have come to a new deal on Science, Technology and Innovation marked by better coordination on the implementation of plans and activities to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The new deal, explained Beatrice Njenga, Njenga, head education division, Department of Human Resource, Science and Technology at the Pan African University (PAU) is a new way of cooperation among governments, private sector and the non-governmental organisations. This is against a backdrop of many African research centres being trapped in a vicious circle of little funding leading to low quality research with truncated social and economic relevance.
The African Union Commission’s vision is an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa which is driven by Africans and representing a dynamic force in the global area. Njenga says the deal calls for all the states to work together in setting priorities right that are aimed at enhancing science and innovation on the continent by focusing at one goal. Instead of member states concentrating on building national capacity for development of science and technology, Africans should target having a few institutions that can serve the continent with quality. It also envisages the need for intra –Africa universities collaboration and networking.
“For impact to be visible on the continent in science development every one of us must play a role in enhancing higher education through establishing institutions on the continent that will stand the taste of time,” she said. She called for the need to also facilitate mobility of internationally renowned professors and researchers in PAU institutions and also getting support from Africans in diaspora.
She said science, technology and innovation is above politics, as it is central to Africa’s self-determination, welfare of the people and ensuring a stable present and a proud and prosperous future. “This is the sector that will determine who and what Africa will be as a global partner in wealth creation, environmental management and sustainable development,” says Ms Njenga. African Union Commission, heads of states and government are working towards aligning programmes with priorities collectively agreed by member states. As a result there is need to strengthen collaboration with leading universities and Pan African Universities. The PAU aims to support scientific research, knowledge sharing and teaching. Its targets is to develop and retain world-class human resources in areas essential to Africa's development through stimulating fundamental and applied research of the highest quality in critical areas. ends
African governments have come to a new deal on Science, Technology and Innovation marked by better coordination on the implementation of plans and activities to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The new deal, explained Beatrice Njenga, Njenga, head education division, Department of Human Resource, Science and Technology at the Pan African University (PAU) is a new way of cooperation among governments, private sector and the non-governmental organisations. This is against a backdrop of many African research centres being trapped in a vicious circle of little funding leading to low quality research with truncated social and economic relevance.
The African Union Commission’s vision is an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa which is driven by Africans and representing a dynamic force in the global area. Njenga says the deal calls for all the states to work together in setting priorities right that are aimed at enhancing science and innovation on the continent by focusing at one goal. Instead of member states concentrating on building national capacity for development of science and technology, Africans should target having a few institutions that can serve the continent with quality. It also envisages the need for intra –Africa universities collaboration and networking.
“For impact to be visible on the continent in science development every one of us must play a role in enhancing higher education through establishing institutions on the continent that will stand the taste of time,” she said. She called for the need to also facilitate mobility of internationally renowned professors and researchers in PAU institutions and also getting support from Africans in diaspora.
She said science, technology and innovation is above politics, as it is central to Africa’s self-determination, welfare of the people and ensuring a stable present and a proud and prosperous future. “This is the sector that will determine who and what Africa will be as a global partner in wealth creation, environmental management and sustainable development,” says Ms Njenga. African Union Commission, heads of states and government are working towards aligning programmes with priorities collectively agreed by member states. As a result there is need to strengthen collaboration with leading universities and Pan African Universities. The PAU aims to support scientific research, knowledge sharing and teaching. Its targets is to develop and retain world-class human resources in areas essential to Africa's development through stimulating fundamental and applied research of the highest quality in critical areas. ends
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