A group of African ambassadors and high commissioners anticipate not only continuing an educational and research relationships with Western, but foresee new opportunities and partnerships.
High Commissioner of Kenya Simon Nabukwesi, left, chats with Kenyan exchange student Dorothy Evelia (Nursing) and graduate student Eric Enanga (Biology), who is also from Kenya.
Following a daylong visit to campus last week and participation in a Western Heads East gala in the Great Hall, Nevers Mumba, High Commissioner of Zambia says he wants to cultivate a lasting association between Western and institutions in Africa.
“The ability to interact with staff and faculty has been wonderful and we are excited and highly impressed with the programs at your university,” Mumba told a group of students, staff and faculty.
“We want to equate ourselves with how Western operates and how its relationship with Africa is continuing.”
Also visiting campus were High Commissioner of Kenya Simon Nabukwesi, Ambassador of Rwanda Edda Mukabagwiza, Zimbabwean Ambassador Florence Zano Chideya and 1st Secretary (Tanzania High Commission) Richard Tibandebage.
While at Western, the guests learned about the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) program. This is a rapidly growing field in Africa with nearly 100 per cent of the population now using cell phones for everything from banking to disease surveillance.
With fibre optic cables currently being laid in Africa, which will make connectivity a lot faster, cheaper and more readily available, the ambassadors would like collaboration with Western to get the most from this development.
Computer and Electrical Engineering, Sharcnet and the Faculty of Information and Media Studies were also stops during their visit.
“They also explored collaboration and cooperation in the area of water quality and waste management with Civil and Environmental Engineering because Western’s vision is to assist the African region to set up centres of excellence in the two areas – a water quality centre of excellence to be based in Kenya and centre of excellence for waste management to be based in Ghana,” says Melanie Katsivo, International Research Consultant with Research Development Services.
With students, staff and faculty representation from countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe at the luncheon, Mumba expressed his appreciation that so many African students are furthering their education at Western.
“While we are always looking for investment from industry and technology into Africa, one of the most important imports and exports is through the exchange of knowledge. As we continue to interact there is an investment in both our countries,” he says, referring to it as brain gain rather than brain drain.
“We want to tap into the knowledge you have. Think of your brothers and sisters in Africa. Have an investment in your home country. Life is not just about your success, but how you use that success.”