Developing the role of universities in contributing to poverty reduction

Abstract

Africa is unique as the only continent in which the proportion of the population in poverty is growing. By 2015 the number of African poor is expected to rise to over 400 million. Economic growth remains a fundamental factor underpinning the alleviation of poverty in Africa. In order to halve poverty by the year 2015, as set in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, economies will need to grow by 7 per cent a year, nearly double the current rates. Universities have a unique role in the development process. As part of the formal education system they provide a principal institutional mechanism for the development of human skills and knowledge. Traditionally and uniquely, universities combine this role with the creation of knowledge through activities including research, R&D, knowledge transfer to business and consultancy. This combination of intellectual capital and capacity building provides compelling reasons for universities to be at the forefront of efforts to accelerate economic growth in Africa. Yet, economic growth alone does not automatically benefit the poor. This paper describes and analyses the lessons learnt by a consortium of higher education institutions who since 1994 have collaborated to identify and implement strategies through which higher education institutions can directly contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction.