cc ILRI‘We have no choice but to train the next generation of African scholars at home. This means tackling the question of institutional reform alongside that of postgraduate education. Postgraduate education, research and institution building will have to be part of a single effort,’ writes Mahmood Mamdani, in a paper reflecting on how a market-driven model has affected the nature of research in African universities.
My remarks will be more critical than congratulatory. I will focus more on the challenge we face rather than the progress we have made. My focus will also be limited, to the Humanities and the Social Sciences rather than to the Sciences, to postgraduate education and research rather than to underdgraduate education.
This is a great inspiration from Prof.
He answers a critical question I have been asking myself on what happened to our great scholars of 60s,70s and early 80s, who inspired many of us to understand our history and why Africa needed change. This inspiration led to the much talked about peoples demand for change lke in Kenya in early 90s.
Now, looking back, our scholars are not leading in this inspiration. They are being led by the politicians for they have become "consultants" and "think tanks" for the politicians and deformed political parties, which leaves the society confused for people cannot know the difference between the scholar, academician, the politicians and the deformed political party! There goes the problem Africa is in and it might take time to correct what has really happened so far.
Secondly, the current humanities and social sciences need to link with peoples history, in my view. When we talk of Enlightment Age or Age of Reformation, there is alot of literature on these and what inspired people to act. Africa has had its story too, but it has not caught up with the people and what that story makes as the society develops. The talk of geography and history and how these two made power in the West have become buzz words, but where is ours- our African geography, history and power? It demands a new basic research so as to inform the society
Thirdly, Africa is still a poor continent but we must emphasise the role and space for research resources for development. The governments needs to play a critical role in ensuring money for universities are there for research, hence reduce the culture of quick and short term solutions through consultancies that only come up with policy recommendations, sometimes to only entice or influence our choice of political party or candidate we campaigned for.
Lastly, the same approach needs to go to hard sciences, for the other states are researching on how to move away from oil by designing electric cars or use of other means of energy. Where are our engineers on this? Africa needs to explore all options and seize the moment just like China and India are doing. We have no short cut to this long journey!
Thanks Prof, you always inspire alot. STAY HUMAN ALWAYS!
Musau
Stephen Musau
Wonderfully refreshing analysis of how to do right by African students. Thanks for printing!
Beverly McIntyre, Helen Keller International
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