Oluwafemi Balogun former University of Agriculture Vice Chancellor recently stated:
The University model is in crisis even the most advanced economies. Now is the time to restructure the African approach to education with a bottom up perspective.
...tertiary institutions in Africa would be more responsive in proffering solutions to the socio-economic problems confronting Africans if given “adequate autonomy” by government... inspite of the existence of about 124 universities in Nigeria, most of them appeared incapable of proffering practical solutions to “the encumbering developmental malaise.”More here
He argued that allowing the universities on the continent the adequate autonomy to tackle the challenges of their immediate environment would stimulate meaningful economic growth engendered through sustainable knowledge economy.
“Shared experiences from emerging world economies like Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, India, etc, had amply demonstrated the conviction that the African continent could significantly combat underdevelopment, provided its sovereign nations would be more innovative in finding appropriate solutions to associated problems on education.
“The success secrets of these emerging world economies constantly reveal their abilities to effectively link higher education programme to economic development. The synergy has always produced significant success.”
The University model is in crisis even the most advanced economies. Now is the time to restructure the African approach to education with a bottom up perspective.
