Scholars, researchers and academics converged recently on the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) conference to look into the future of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Africa, DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports.
When scholars, researchers and academics from 17 African universities as well as American and European institutions assembled at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, for the 4th International Biennial Conference of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), they had one purpose: to chart a way forward for the continent’s development, to explore ways to reposition higher education institutions for better impact, among others.
This year’s conference hosted in UNILAG for the first time, had as theme: Reimagining the future of higher education in Africa. It provided ample opportunity for participants to take part in impactful discourse, rethink research and innovation that would improve higher education in Africa towards all round growth.
UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, said over the years, the African Research Universities Alliance has been at the forefront of redirecting collective thinking towards intentionally addressing the existential crisis bedevilling the continent. The VC noted that UNILAG aligns with its goal and the school’s research and development culture prioritises addressing urgent societal challenges, particularly within the framework of global agreements, while pursuing an all-embracing agenda to be a ‘Future ready’ university.
“It is my firm belief that universities have both an educational and social function. Knowledge institutions have critical roles to play in convening evidence across disciplines and dissemination across sectors, horizon scanning (clarifying and defining boundaries for emerging technologies and new areas of inquiry) and raising awareness through teaching and advocacy (alongside stakeholders, policy makers and the public). Universities are the place where a desired future can be imagined – and our business today is to imagine a desired future for Africa and going beyond that, to establish the steps required to produce a new generation of African thinkers and doers that can take us to this desired future. The truth is that if Africa is going to change, it must start from the mind,” she said.
Ogunsola urged participants to use the conference to network with one another, both accomplished and emerging researchers. She thanked the Carnegie Corporation, the European Guild and other partners and sponsors for prioritising academic cooperation with Africa.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule Akibu, said it was imperative as a continent and government to be on the platform of progress where the dreams and aspirations of the students, educators and policymakers converge. According to him, the complexities of the modern world require the acquisition of a higher education, which is a beacon of enlightenment, a guide towards a future defined by knowledge, innovation and partnership.
Read Also; Kano CTC: Judicial officers involved will be punished – NJC
The governor hailed ARUA for being at the forefront of change and innovation in higher education across Africa, adding that through collaborative efforts, research and knowledge sharing; it has paved the way for transformation of the continent’s education. He described the occasion as that of immense opportunity, where universities have the power to create long lasting impact and shape the destiny of Africa through cutting-edge research and sound university education delivery.
“We acknowledge the challenges that persist in the realm of higher education. Yet, within these challenges lie opportunities for transformation and progress. In this mosaic of stories, we found ourselves united by a common purpose to re-imagine higher education in Africa and empower the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers. Together, we can break barriers, bridge gaps and build a future that is inclusive, equitable and prosperous,” he said.
He stressed the need for participants to take it as a collective responsibility to address the challenges afflicting realisation of the academic potential of Africa.
Chairman of ARUA Board and Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, described education as the surest path towards transforming Africa. He urged African universities to swiftly increase the number of researchers in Africa, adding that it is the only effective way to solve Africa’s challenges and deliver it from poverty.
According to him, young and vibrant African researchers in their bid to make the continent advance should ask themselves many pertinent questions. “How to feed this population and how do we make sure that the population is healthy, or how do we make sure that the conflict in Africa diminish even if it does not reduce the African population?
“These are the pertinent questions the researchers must begin to ask themselves so as to reduce poverty in Africa; and to make the continent more stable,” he said. Also, at the conference, researchers and scholars were urged to see Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a problem-solving mechanism and prevent it from worsening unemployment on the continent. Management of higher education institutions in Africa were urged to set worthy examples of leadership by deepening research geared towards national and continental development. Participants also raised eyebrows over poor funding of tertiary education by many African countries, which continues to hamper quality of research. However, there was an urgent call to address funding problems afflicting the delivery of university education in Africa, with indigenous funding of research to guarantee originality and avoiding undue influence from external sponsors.
