Why EAC universities should collaborate

Higher education institutions in the entire East African Community bloc continue to exist in monastic isolation despite the EAC’s resolve to integrate the curriculum of the member states and enhance cooperation between all education institutions. Currently, there is very scanty or no cooperation between the education institutions in the region though some universities are moving towards the ratified integral higher education institutions’ academic calendar. The draft protocol on the establishment of EA African Science and Technology Council has among its objectives, the enhancement of collaboration in the training of personnel for various scientific and technological disciplines; the creation of a conducive environment for the promotion of science and technology as well as supporting publication of research and development findings in partner states. The achievement of the objectives may remain a mirage if the operations of higher education institutions, whether private or public, are not streamlined and harmonized. Ironically, it is still very difficult for graduate students to complete their studies in all the five partner states because of lack of communication and sometimes correlation between the varsities in the region. A graduate student pursuing a sandwich programme (course work and research) in Rwanda may find it very difficult to research in Uganda because of the trouble it takes to find a supervisor there. The institutions normally ask for M.O.Us (Memorandum Of Understanding) from other institutions which may be very hard or impossible for students to get before they are given supervisors. The region’s universities are still business rivals rather than partners in the dissemination of knowledge. Sustaining bottleneck competition for students, a workforce and infrastructural expansion, requires input from finance and other educational resources. Sooner than later, the superiority of higher education institutions will be determined by how many campuses an institution has abroad rather than contribution to training, research and development. University dons are always on their wheels driving from one campus to another to lecture and earn more. Perhaps, the fact that lectures from different universities are instructing in other universities is described as collaboration of sorts, but it is unethical. The fact that different universities accept dons from other universities to lecture on part-time contracts against their statutes is a big statement that egoism has overtaken purpose and ethic. It is all about what you gain not how it impinges on the credibility of the trade. Students from Burundi have a challenge of benefiting from the integration in the near future, as the curriculum there is largely francophone. Admission requirements for students from francophone countries are a bit stringent—something that may shatter their dreams of studying abroad and reaping from the success of the EAC integration. znyamosi@yahoo.com