CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA —The president of Mauritius — the small island nation in southeast Africa — issued an alarming prognosis. Unless STEM disciplines are promoted throughout her continent, she said that African youngsters will continue to lag far behind their international counterparts.
“As a scientist, I remain convinced that strong institutions, science, technology, innovation and higher education are prime movers and will continue to play a profound role in advancing knowledge and improving the human condition,” said Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, a former biodiversity scientist, who was elected as the nation’s first woman president last year.
Gurib-Fakim made her remarks to more than 1,000 participants who traveled here to participate in the Going Global conference, one of the largest gatherings of educators from throughout the world. Sponsored by the British Council, the annual event brings together thinkers, philanthropists and policy experts to strategize on how best to promote international education and globalization.
“I am convinced that the social and economic transformation of the African continent will happen only when higher education, better access to health care and greater emphasis on knowledge becomes central to the development debate,” said Gurib-Fakim, who pointed out that, although Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, it continues to linger behind other parts of the world in the area of technological advancements.
She said the African continent has to be more proactive in promoting research and development opportunities and that colleges and universities should establish stronger ties to industries if new economic possibilities are to be readily identified.
“The link between technology and the economy can no longer be overlooked,” she said. “Innovation is pushing ahead at warp speed. As Africans, we need to become producers and not just consumers of knowledge and we should capitalize on the momentum gained at the global level while recognizing that all actions are local. We have to mobilize cutting-edge knowledge and forge partnerships anchored in the common ground for the benefit of all and become the voice of change.”
Gurib-Fakim’s comments come after decades of concerns that the continent has not been able to improve its standing in the arena of technology inventions and entrepreneurship. While internet access is becoming more available throughout the continent, only 19 percent of the overall population in Africa are using the web, according to a recent report released by the International Telecommunications Union, a United Nation’s agency.
