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African Universities Link Up to Offer 'Regional PhDs'

March 30, 2007
SciDev.Net
By Michael Malakata
excerpts

An article in SciDevNet, a resource information about science and technology for the developing world, covered the conference on biotechnology, breeding and seed systems held last week in Maputo, Mozambique. Of particular importance was the announcement that as a result of a collaboration between African universities, agricultural research will be accelerated.

A group of 12 Eastern and Southern Africa universities utilyzing methods like roving tutors and web tutorials will offer curricula in dairy science, food science, plant breeding and biotechnology, research methodology and rural development, and crop improvement.

The Rockefeller Foundation's Gary Toenniessen, who is currently acting president of the Gates-Rockefeller AGRA Initiative, spoke at the conference's closing noting that it is only through human resource development that Africa is going to realize its dream of a green revolution. 'We should always emphasize the importance of training and human resource development in order to realize our goals,' he said.

Excertps below:

Universities involved include, among others, the University of Zambia, Malawi University, Makerere University, Africa University and the University of Zimbabwe.

Adipala Ekwamu, RUFORUM's regional coordinator, says the degrees will be developed jointly...'These are regional PhDs,' Ekwamu told SciDev.Net. "We are running these programmes to equip our scientists and fill the gaps that are being left by those fleeing for greener pastures.'

After graduation, students will be given jobs in research institutions in the region to boost research capacity...The programmes are [also] sponsored by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) under its Sub-Saharan Africa Challenge Program and its Strengthening Capacity for Agricultural Research and Development in Africa...FARA secretary general Monty Jones said Africa needs to train more scientists in agricultural research to make significant progress in scientific research. 'So many younger African scientists are coming up and they need further training in order for them to make progress,' said Jones.

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