1 BACKGROUND TO THIS OVERVIEW
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has
entered into an agreement with UNESCO to help develop and foster chemistry,
with the emphasis on capacity building and research, within the world's
Least Developed Countries (LDCs). During the initial period, it is
planned to concentrate on the African region and to focus on development
within a small number of LDCs with a demonstrated capacity to benefit
from this initiative.
In dealing with facets of higher education, it should be acknowledged
that the progress achieved in African education since the time of
independence in the 1960s, has been truly remarkable. Quantitative
expansion has been particularly impressive and, amongst other, African
universities have registered notable progress to become legitimate
institutions of higher learning. Despite these achievements and recognized
pockets of progress in African universities, it is generally accepted
that the universities of Africa are in crisis. (ref.1)
This is briefly highlighted below.
IUPAC is conscious of moves to revitalize Universities in Africa
and of the involvement of many foreign donor agencies active in Africa
in the field of development-oriented research in the basic sciences
(including chemistry). Furthermore, the need is frequently emphasized
for improved co-ordination and concerted efforts amongst such agencies,
inter alia, to increase co-operation amongst developing countries.
(ref. 2,3) This overview of current activities
and initiatives in Africa was compiled to allow IUPAC/UNESCO to optimize
its input, gain from the wealth of past experiences, and maximize
co-operation.
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Page last modified 27 January 1999.
Copyright © 1997, 98 International Union of Pure and Applied
Chemistry.