AFRICA - The role of university education in African development: Harambee Africa International report

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - "Our projects aim to strengthen the level of training of students in sub-Saharan Africa in various sectors", said Rossella Miranda, Communication Coordinator of Harambee Africa International, in presenting on November 10 at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, the report "The Role of Tertiary Education in Economic and Social Rise of the Sub-Saharan Africa - A Perspective on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and South Africa".
"Alongside this primary mission, Harambee Africa International wishes to contribute to the dissemination of correct and less stereotyped information concerning Africa. And the report we present is part of this commitment", said Rossella Miranda.
The report was drawn up thanks to the contribution of some members of the cultural committee of the association which was asked to reflect on the role that tertiary education can play in the economic and social growth of sub-Saharan African states.
From the report, related to South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Ivory Coast, some problems emerge (low expenditure on education, quality and quantity of teachers, lack of infrastructure) that contribute to explain the low rates of education of the population and education at various levels in these Countries.
Another problem is "brain drain" that leads the most motivated and capable students to find work outside the continent. So that, for example, companies engaged in the electrification of Africa, are forced to pay expensive European and Asian engineers and technicians for a work mission of several months on the continent, without their knowledge being transmitted to local people.
The testimony of two African engineer women, Ada Eloka, Nigerian, oil engineer, and Teddy Nalubega, Ugandan, electrical engineer specialized in solar energy exploitation, was particularly significant. The two professionals emphasized the need to narrate the different development experiences undertaken by young people in Africa, which represent the hope for the future.
Harambee Africa International promotes development projects, designed and implemented by African organizations, in the education sector, with the aim of contributing to the improvement of training for the sustainable development of the Continent. Harambee was born on the occasion of the canonization of St. Josemaria Escrivà, founder of Opus Dei. (L. M.) (Agenzia Fides, 13/11/2018)

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