Building Capacity for Science-Led Development in Africa

Abstract

In 1983, seven African universities teamed up with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) to launch a training programme that would provide young African scientists with the opportunity to study and learn in Africa, the arthropod pests and vectors that are a threat to the health and sustenance of the African people and which limit the continent's development. After 25 years of operation and with 35 universities now participating in the network, the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS) has grown to become a living proof of the viability of regional cooperation in scientific capacity development and a model that has inspired similar developments in Africa and beyond. Presently, the programme boasts an output of 202 doctoral and 165 master degree level graduates, most of them holding responsible positions in various governmental and private institutions in Africa, whose capacities they have greatly enhanced. Research by the graduates has also helped to advance icipe's own mandate of improving the lives of Africa's poorest people. Building Capacity for Science-led Development in Africa: Lessons from the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science is a well researched effort to share the story of ARPPIS with policy makers, educators, scholars, development partners and general citizenry throughout the world. The authors examine the social, economic and technological climate that has influenced the development and performance of ARPPIS, from Africa's adolescent scientific incapacity of the 1970s to the present electronic age and a global economy. To level the ground for fair evaluation, the authors first establish the yardsticks by reviewing the concept, context and process of scientific capacity building for development. The principles of best practice in capacity development are also discussed. The book highlights the ingenious approach to programme development, which involved over 70 eminent scientists, personal ities and development partners through at least three international conferences and planning meetings. A critical evaluation is presented of the many innovative initiatives of ARPPIS that have led to its laudable achievements. Such initiatives include the deliberate quest for gender and regional balance in training and a focus on training of agricultural practitioners and mid-level scientists through the sub-regional master's component of the programme that runs parallel with doctoral level training. In evaluating achievements of ARPPIS the authors reviewed profiles of some of the best achieving alumni which have been published elsewhere1 and used some of these as case studies in the book. As part of programme performance, participation of development partners in ARPPIS has been examined at great length, with a focus on the dedication of the three main sponsors - the Rockefeller Foundation, the Netherlands Government and the German Government through DAAD programme. The book recognises the valuable contributions of functional partners, including the participating universities, international and regionaI organisations and national research institutes in the various African countries in ARPPIS training at various levels. The role and performance of participating universities in student registration, research supervision and hosting of the Masters programme are evaluated in great depth. The book presents an account of historical development and current status of ARPPIS and of the new challenges and opportunities for scientific capacity development in Africa. A comparative review of the performance of similar programmes in Africa has been included to extol the prestigious position of ARPPIS as the premier model. Drawing upon the lessons learned from ARPPIS and elsewhere, the authors propose new perspectives for re-engineering the programme to suit future aspirations and needs of the continent. Publication of this ARPPIS commemorative book was sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation of New York to whom icipe is most grateful.