Head
of information department to the Open University of Tanzania Herieth
Hela (first right), and Dr. Shogo Mlozi Sedoyeka, head of Tourism &
hospitality department (center), giving briefs to the Scholars,
public-private sector delegates during two days forum in Kigali,
Rwanda/CFM
KIGALI, Rwanda Oct 26 – Regional Education
stakeholders who met in Kigali since Wednesday last week have endorsed
far-reaching resolutions which, if adopted by respective countries,
could change the current academic-based curriculum taught in
universities to on-the-job skills.
They also resolved to establish Centers of
Excellence among partner states as well as create a comprehensive
Academia Public Private Partnerships database among partner states.
The forum was jointly organized by the Inter-University Council of
East Africa, East African Development Bank and the East African Business
Council that brings together heads of universities from Kenya, Uganda,
Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi who are meeting to deliberate with
representatives of research institutions as well as those from
governments and private sector.
“The curricula to be reviewed to integrate soft skills including
entrepreneurial skills,” part of the resolutions reads after concerns
were raised by the participants that graduates were finding it difficult
getting jobs due to lack of practical knowledge of the professions they
undertake to study.
“It is time universities stopped producing thinkers. We already have
enough thinkers,” Professor Mayunga Nkunya, the Executive Secretary of
the University Council of East Africa said. “What is required now are
people who can do the work. People with enough knowledge of the job
skills. They should produce people ready for the job market.”
The regional conference on education, attended by vice chancellors
and other heads of universities as well as representatives of the
private sector and governments, was aimed at finding ways of harnessing
innovation potential to drive social economic development in East
Africa.
At the end of the conference, it was resolved that research and
innovation capacity building programs be developed following concerns
that East Africa was lagging behind, partly because it has not enhanced
its research capabilities.
“It is worth noting that we don’t have sufficient research centers in
the region,” EAC Secretary General Dr Richard Sezibera told the
conference, comparing the region to the developed world which has
invested heavily on research and innovations. “There’s very little we
can do to catch up with the rest of the world unless we improve on these
key areas.”
This and other similar concerns led the participants to resolve to
develop a regional innovation system as well as “promote private sector
investment in research and development for instance through tax
investments and matching grants.”
The participants also agreed to utilize existing national business
councils and higher education councils to promote dialogue between the
Academia, Public and Private Sectors as well as fast track
implementation of the East African Qualifications Framework for Higher
Education.
“Our industries are becoming more and more sophisticated hence the
need for sophisticated skills to suit the market,” he told reporters at
the sidelines of the conference, but was quick to point out that the
discussions in Kigali are not a sign of a crisis “but an opportunity to
unlock lost potential.”
“We want to optimally utilize the universities to produce more than
academic skills. It’s time to change to producing graduates with job
skills,” East African Business Council Chairman Felix Mosha said.
The conference followed similar meetings held in Tanzania and Kenya
in the past two years when players agreed that East Africa will not make
tremendous achievements in years to come unless research and innovation
space is not expanded.
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