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Mkapa advises Africa to invest in higher education
2005-09-24 08:27:45
By Guardian Reporter
President Benjamin Mkapa has urged African countries to invest in higher education to enable the youth acquire requisite competencies for the speedy economic growth of the continent.
President Mkapa made the remarks at the National University of Lesotho in Maseru upon being conferred with an honorary Doctor of Law degree last night.
’’We want youths to graduate from university with curious, inquiring and sharp minds; minds that inspire independent thinking, not ones that simply recycle Western notions, ideas and prejudices,’’ he said.
President Mkapa challenged African nations to restructure university educational systems in a manner that would prepare the youth to be innovative and competitive in the public and private sectors.
The set up of the higher education, he said, must enable the youth to understand present and future challenges on the continent in a broader perspective.
The president renewed his call to Africa to review its investment and trade policies that prioritise South-South co-operation to counter unfair North-South relations.
’’This would strengthen our bargaining power in North-South trade talks,’’ he said.
He added: ’’We have the advantage of natural resources, a climate that is conducive for the production of coffee, tea and cocoa to which customers in rich industrialised countries are already hooked on.’’
President Mkapa criticised rich nations for their lack of political will to help Africa to irrevocably break the cycle of poverty.
The president said African universities must produce courageous, innovative educated African men and women who will constitute a think-tank on global realities.
’’People who would propose innovative, even revolutionary homegrown solutions,’’ he said.
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