TWAS: Sustainable Well-Being in Africa

We live in a global knowledge society. Therefore it stands to reason that countries with acute shortages of knowledge workers will find themselves marginalized – and impoverished – in today’s world. Broad comprehensive efforts must be undertaken at both the national and continental levels to improve the conditions of Africa’s universities and research facilities.

Equally important, comparable efforts must be made to curb the ‘brain drain’ phenomenon. This will require dramatic increases in investments in science and technology on the part of Africa’s government as well as such pan-African organizations as the African Union (AU).

External funding can also aid in Africa’s efforts to rebuild its universities and research facilities. For example, the Regional Initiative in Science and Education (RISE), based at the Institute for Advanced Study in the US and supported by Carnegie Corporation of New York, is nurturing African-based research networks for both faculty and students alike in such fields as material science, engineering, biochemistry, natural products, access to safe drinking water and coastal and marine resources.

Article here.