Resolution on the Role of African Universities and Institutions of Higher Learning in the Development of the Continent

CM/Res.1601 (LXII)

Page 1

RESOLUTIONG ON THE ROLE OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONTINENT

The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its Sixty-Second Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 21 to 23 June, 1995,

Having considered the Secretary-General’s report CM/1899 (LXII) on the role of African Universities and Institutions of Higher Learning in the development of the continent,

Recalling Resolution AHG/Res.215 (XXVII) adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in July 1992 on the role of African Universities and Institutions of Higher Learning in development,

Bearing in mind the recommendations of the AFRICAN AUDIENCDE organized by UNESCO in Paris from 6 to 10 February 1995 on the need to revitalize higher education ad reduce its cost, and the conclusions of the UNESCO seminars on the planning, orientation and management of higher education in Africa organized within the framework of its “Priority Africa” Programme,

Considering the role of Universities and institutions of higher learning in the promotion of socio-economic, scientific and cultural development on the one hand and freedom, dignity and democracy on the other; underscored by Resolutions CM/Res.1534 (LX) on the new approach and methodology to promote African Unity within the context of the African Economic Community,

Considering further the contribution of the Association of African Universities in mobilizing the human and other resources of its member institutions in support of the development efforts of the African Member States:

1. TAKES NOTE of the Secretary-General’s Report CM/1899 (LXI I) as well as the conclusions and recommendations of the Colloquium on “Universities in Africa in the 1990s and beyond” which was jointly organized by the Association of African Universities and the Donors to the Working Group on Higher Education in Africa held in Lesotho, from 16 to 20 January, 1995;

2. EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION to UNESCO for having successfully organized the “Audience Africa” which came out with useful recommendations on issues of vital importance to the human development of Africa;

3. CALLS UPON the Governments of OAU Member States to support the Association of African Universities in its efforts to enhance the role of African Universities in promoting the socio-economic development of the African countries;

4. REQUEST the OAU Secretary-General, in collaboration with the Association of the African Universities, to communicate to Member States the report of the Colloquium on Universities in African in the 1990s and beyond and any other