Higher education: Minister urges heads of institutions to prioritise entrepreneurial skills.

Present at the meeting were Rectors and Vice Chancellors of state universities, the Inspector General at the Ministry of Higher Education in charge of Academics, Prof Marcel Fouda, amongst other dignitaries. 

According to Minister Fame Ndongo, the new Orientation Law for Higher Education, calls for the transformation of universities into entrepreneurial and cooperate milieu. The law was enacted by the Head of State, Paul Biya, on July 25, 2023. 

The minister said the law is the guiding framework for modernising Cameroon’s higher education. 

Through the university-enterprise model, he said, the law aims to facilitate the effective contribution of universities to the nation's economic transformation.

During the meeting, participants were enlightened on issues such as; the establishment of the entrepreneurial university in light of the Orientation Law for Higher Education in Universities in Cameroon; evaluation of the employability of graduates from professional fields in technological and professional Universities. 

Another aspect looked into was the employability of graduates from vocational training institutions.

Minister lauds work of heads of institutions 

Meanwhile, Minister Fame Ndongo commended the heads of institutions for their admirable efforts. 

He expressed delight on work done in implementing resolutions from the previous conference held three years ago. The minister said the lowest resolution had a 75% implementation rate.

He regretted that COVID-19 delayed the meeting. The member of government praised the dedication of university leaders “for the colossal work you do daily”. He also asked them to “continue on this salutary path”.

The minister also highlighted the strategic importance of higher education in President Pau Biya’s vision for 2035. 

He restated the place of higher education in “the knowledge economy in the survival of the Global South, faced with the geopolitical and geo-economic effects of the system”, which he said, Biya has taken measures to address.

Towards innovation

The Inspector General of Academics at the Ministry of Higher Education, Prof Marcel Fouda Djodo, said the goal is to drive innovation. 

He indicated that “it is also imperative for us to ensure that our universities produce material goods, enterprises, and innovative employment in order to revive our economy”.

Prof Fouda Djodo emphasised the importance of universities in wealth creation, stating that: “First of all, universities must accept that the production of wealth in society is part of their mission. Innovative enterprises should not be lacking in our universities”.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3166 of Friday July 11, 2024