In addition to engaging the current and former Head of States and governments, policy makers and eminent personalities in Africa on peace and security issues of the continent, it is also important to reach-out the presidents/Vice-Chancellors of African Universities and make them actively follow and participate in Tana High-Level Forum in various capacities. To this end, Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa in collaboration with Bahir Dar University held Vice-Chancellors debate on “Natural Resource Governance in Africa” at Peda Campus, Auditorium Hall.
In the debate President of Bahir Dar University, Dr. Baylie Damtie, President of Addis Ababa University, Dr. Admasu Tsegaye, Deputy Vice-chancellor of the University of Western Cape (South Africa), Prof. Vivienne Lawack, Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba (South Sudan), Dr. Jhon Apuru Akec, Vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan (Nigeria), Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, Vice-chancellor of University of Gadarif (Sudan), Prof. Ibrahim Abdelsalam and Vice-president of the University of Sadat City (Egypt), Prof. Dr. Rifai Ibrahim Rifi have participated.
In their debate, Vice-chancellors have particularly focused on the emphasis given to education on natural resource and the relevance of the curricula in terms of utilizing local context and wisdom in African universities for conservation of natural resources. They have also argued on the contribution of universities in understanding the dynamics of natural resource utilization and governance through research. Issues such as the role of universities autonomy for natural resource governance and the political commitment of decision makers are also raised in the debate.
The former president of Nigeria and Chairperson of Tana High-Level Forum, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, has also expressed his position on the theme at the middle of the debate and argued that universities should use their institutional autonomy to conduct empirical researches that could resolve the challenges of Africa in regulating natural resource. He added that due to governance related problems natural resources in Africa have been seen as a source of conflict in different nations, and that current African politicians should learn from the mistakes of their former counterparts in tackling this problem.
Different questions were raised by the participants and the respective panelists’ have gone through them.
Source: Bahir Dar University
——
Other stories: