Ministry of Higher Education: Newly appointed staff tasked to produce employable graduates, prioritize digitalisation.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Prof Gabsa Wilfried, made the call in Yaounde last Wednesday, July 31. 

He was while installing seven new officials appointed to the ministry on July 22. Prof Gabsa was representing the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo, at the event. 

The newly appointed staff included the Inspector of Academic Affairs No.1 at the General Inspectorate of Academic Affairs, Tchuente née Njouguem Monique, the Director of the Directorate of the Development of Higher Education, Mbarga Bindzi Marie Alain, and the Director of the Department of General Affairs, Atangana Edmond Jules Roch.

Other newly appointed officials installed during the event included the Inspector of Academic Affairs No.2, Ngeminang Patricia Asongwe Samkia, and the Head of the Legal Affairs Division at the Central Administration, Ngoluma Malongue Thérèse.

It equally included the Director of the University Accreditations and Quality Department, Nchouwat Amadou, and the Head of the Division of University Research and Cooperation, Meyolo Joel Narcisse.

Lead professionalisation, digitalisation drive

Speaking during the event, Prof Gabsa urged the appointees to get themselves fully engaged in driving forward President Paul Biya’s move to make the higher education system a key player in Cameroon’s 2035 emergence vision.

He challenged the officials to use their expertise in strategically helping the Minister of Higher Education, Prof Fame Ndongo, who is leading the efforts on ground to be able to succeed in the mission.

These efforts, Prof Gabsa said, should notably enable the minister in ensuring that Cameroon succeeds in the mega mission which is anchored on building an entrepreneurial university and a system that prioritises digital evolution as stated in the ministry’s new Orientation Law promulgated by the Head of State on July 25 last year. 

“…you all have to put your knowledge, professional and academic know-how at the disposal of the vast construction site of quality higher education as part of the paradigm of the digital revolution underway at the ministry in the era of the entrepreneurial university and the student-entrepreneur enshrined in the new Orientation Law of Ministry of Higher Education,” Prof Gabsa said.

He noted that government is firm on attaining the 2035 emergence goal and has put the higher education as a key part of the efforts that are also strategically led by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute. 

The MINESUP scribe urged the officials to contribute in the drive by employing their intelligence, experience and skills and work to be guided by the quest to have an effective digitalisation of teaching and the priority to train employable graduates as instructed by the government. 

“…these presidential principles, together with the paradigm shift in the system, make the university a key trainer of the players in Cameroon’s emergence by 2035 and make the student a real catalyst for the environment and a driving force in the development of our dear and beautiful country, Cameroon, as desired by the Head of State …,” Prof Gabsa said.  

Appointees say ready to serve fatherland 

In separate interviews shortly after the ceremony, the appointees said they are up to the task assigned them and will follow guidelines outlined by the government and work hard to meet expectations. 

The Inspector of Academic Affairs No.2, Ngeminang Asongwe Samkia, said she completely understands the assignment and will give her best to ensure the higher education system which has shifted from academics and research teachings to prioritizing professional teaching. 

“From independence, we went from academics and research teaching and today there is an evolution that the university has to be a partner to the community and providing goods and services. And that is exactly what we are doing for,” she said. 

“I will work to ensure that that happens through digitalization as highlighted through the double challenges that we have which is first to digitalize the system and secondly, render it entrepreneurial like a business person,” Ngeminang added. 

The Director of the University Accreditations and Quality Department, Nchouwat Amadou, said he will be selflessly keen on improving the quality of higher education in the country by making sure it meets with the standard and requirements of modern times.   

“My assignment is to improve the quality of higher education. Higher education is a very competitive world so the higher education system in Cameroon has to be improved to meet up with the demands of the changing time and that is what I am going to do,” he said. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3187 of Friday August 02, 2024