University of Rwanda should chart a new path

Editor,Now that the University of Rwanda is taking shape, it is time to think seriously how this institution will be of great importance to the nation and region in its new embodiment:1) The merger should realise significant efficiencies and cost savings. The government should encourage careful redeployment of those resources directly into programmes. This should be done by a cost match directly from the government, perhaps 10 new franks for every one successfully put into programmes. The government should not see such cost management as savings to be returned to the general treasury.2) The cost for core knowledge at the undergraduate level is asymptotically approaching zero because it is available, globally, via the Internet. The new UR should leverage that knowledge for its students and redeploy its faculty resources into areas that are unique to the needs of its students and the future of Rwanda.3) The UR needs to leverage the acquisition of current knowledge from research by increasing its linkages with other institutions, particularly other Eastern African Universities and research institutions. What is of benefit to Rwanda is also of benefit to its regional partners. Capital and overhead intensive investments need to be shared along with the benefits of new knowledge.4) New criteria for faculty advancement needs to be defined, particularly rewards for teaching rather than for the effort to publish in under-resourced research facilities.5) Global communication needs to be enhanced. This implies the strengthening of language/communication skills, not just that of students but the faculty as well, many of whom lack familiarity with electronic communication and even English.6) Problem Based Learning (PBL) with actual projects integrated on a “daily” basis with theory will be critical, particularly in agriculture, health sciences and management. Stretched resources that have been focused on campus and research facilities need to be redeployed in the field.As many in the post-secondary education system understand, universities need to think/plan globally but focus their resources to meet specific needs. Universities can no longer expend resources to look like, or compete with the brick-spaced institutions of the past with significant “sunk capital”.In fact, it is now becoming clear that this “sunken” capital can be more of an albatross in a world where education is caught in the rapids of change. UR and the Government need to carve out a new path to the future.Tom Abeles, KigaliReaction to the story, “Profile: Who is who at University of Rwanda”, (The New Times, October 17)

Opinions

University of Rwanda should chart a new path