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BRIEF REPORT ON THE SEMINAR TO CELEBRATE THE AFRICAN UNIVERSITY/SCIENCE DAY SEMINAR HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SWAZILAND ON THE 15TH NOVEMBER, 2002
By
Prof. C.M. Magagula
(Pro Vice Chancellor)
The Association of African Universities (A.A.U) and The Organization of African Unity (O.A.U.), now the African Union (A.U.), first launched the African University Day in 1994. Since then, the day has been celebrated under various themes.
The themes chosen by A.A.U for 2002 calendar year were AAfrican Universities Response to Current Emerging Issues in Africa@. A.A.U. invited member institutions to organize seminars to discuss responses to issues of HIV/AIDS, Conflict Resolution and Management, Gender Equity, and access to Higher Education. The African University Day fell on the 12th November 2002, marking the 35th Anniversary of the A.A.U.
The University of Swaziland, as a member of the A.A.U., held a half-day seminar to celebrate the African University Day on the 15th November, 2002. This was combined with the Science Day. The African University/Science Day Seminar was officially opened by Prof. L.P.Makhbu, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Swaziland. Participants included University lecturers, students, and interested stakeholders from various Government Ministries, the Private Sector, and NGO=s.
Six papers were presented of which four were focussing on the African University, and two were focussing on Science. The four papers focussing on the African University were: African Higher Education Institutions: Responding to Challenges of HIV/AIDS Pandemic by Dr. N.A. Sukati; Conflict Resolution and Management: A Role for African Higher Education Institutions by Prof. C.M. Magagula; African Higher Education Institutions: Responding to the Challenges of Gender Equity; by Dr. N.O. Simelane; and Private Universities: Responding to the Challenges of Access to Hgiher Education Institutions in Africa by Mr. J.O. Odumbe. The two papers on Science Day issues were Genetically Modified Crops: Putting Science to Work by Prof. A. Sesay; and Cloning: Where is this Biotechnology Taking Humankind? By Mr. G. Ocean. The Seminar was officially closed by Prof. K.J.B. Keregero.
The University is in the process of publishing the African University Day and Science Day papers. The papers will also be posted in the University of Swaziland Website http://www.uniswa.sz