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10th HARVARD CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Panel on REINVENTING AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES
10th HARVARD CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The first generation of post-independent African universities focused on nation building. The emphasis was to provide functionaries for the civil service. Today these countries are faced with new challenges related to participation in the global economic, meeting basic needs and contributing to the transition towards sustainability. These challenges require increased investment in the adaptation of scientific and technical knowledge available worldwide to local uses. In addition, it entails the generation, use and diffusion of new knowledge. In response to these challenges, a number of African countries are exploring how universities could contribute directly to economic transformation through closer interactions with the private sector and government. This panel focuses on how design a new generation of university activities that emphasize the development of technical expertise, create entrepreneurial capabilities and strengthen community service in Africa.
The panel will open with seven-minute introductions by the panelists (as outlined below), followed by discussion guided by questions and comments from the audience. More specifically, the panel will address the following questions: 1. What is the role of knowledge in helping African countries meet their development challenges?; 2. How are African countries reforming their universities to respond to development needs?; 3. What additional measures can be adapted to promote the reinvention of African universities?
Featuring: Dr. Damtew Teferra, Founding Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Higher Education in Africa and Research Assistant Professor, Center for International Higher Education, Boston College; Professor Babatunde Thomas, Chairperson, Science and Technology Forum of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and former Presidential Adviser, Office of the President, Nigeria (2000-2002); Ms. Rebecca Enonchong, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AppsTech, Bethesda, MD, USA; Prof. Silas Lwakabamba, Rector, Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management, Kigali, Rwanda.
Moderated by: Dr. Calestous Juma, Professor of the Practice of International Development, Kennedy School of Government
