How to Achieve Sustainable Education in Africa – Kyari Dikwa
An essential foundation for achieving sustainable education in Africa is promoting a holistic mainstreaming of Innovation in Teaching Curriculum, and Curriculum Expansion in Innovation and Technology to encourage students to take charge of their own future.
This is the argument of Dr. Mohammed Kyari Dikwa, the Founder of Al-Ansar University, Borno State’s first private varsity.
Dikwa made his position known in a convocation lecture titled, “Transposing African Universities for Greatness: Panacea for Underdevelopment,” which he delivered at the 9th Convocation Ceremony of Iheris University Palaise De’ Congress Lome, in Togo, over the weekend.
According to him, the importance of innovation and technology cannot be overemphasized, noting that Africa’s glorious years in terms of national economic development were years when her universities were equally known for delivering significant innovation and research.
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He pointed out that the failure of successive governments to invest adequately in university education creates ‘Centres of Excellence for university education, and establish education funds for training and academic research were responsible for many setbacks witnessed in most African countries today.
His words: “Across the continent, Africa must strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end, Governments shall, as and when practicable, provide free, compulsory and universal education at all levels including free university education; and free adult literacy Programme”.
To address bottlenecks and barriers to improving education systems in Africa, Dr. Kyari Dikwa, stressed that governments must take proactive measures to enhance a broader educational approach that includes assessment, management, and monitoring and evaluation tools that can assist in making sure that university education systems function continuously.
He observed that world-class universities are able to accelerate higher education expansion and development to attract the most qualified professors and researchers.
“The poor working conditions and environment in our universities remain the rudiment that has continually reduced Africa’s global appeal and ability to attract students from abroad.
“Countries that have achieved meaningful development are those that have dedicated significant national funding to research and innovation.
“As a university stakeholder, I know that the depth of human and intellectual capacity locked behind the gates of our universities if well-funded and motivated, holds the key to unlocking great opportunities in Africa,” said the Al-Ansar University founder.
