Africa Universities urged to enhance research on climate change to tackle global challenge
African universities have been challenged to take a front role in research on climate change and find solutions to resultant consequences.
Namibia Vice President H.E Nangolo Mbumba said it is time the continent relied on its own resources on matters of scientific research and more so the human resource.
Mbumba spoke during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the International University of Management, Namibia (IUM) and Mount Kenya University (MKU) in Thika, Kiambu County meant to boost medical research between the two institutions.
He said institutions of higher learning in Africa must collaborate in research and other areas of science so as to solve the problems facing their communities.
“Now that we have passed the Nairobi Declaration on climate change, we must address the problems facing us in our respective countries on the continent and the world and more so the emission of gases that are contributing to global warming,” said the VP.
MKU Vice Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi said climate change interventions need a serious commitment because of their adverse and disruptive effects to human ecosystems, to human operations and subsistence, as well as to human wellness and overall lifestyles.
“We need not belabor the very well-known realities regarding Climate Change and the greenhouse effects in our lives today. Climate change and the greenhouse effects are attributed directly and indirectly to human activity,” he said.
Prof Jaganyi noted that calls for multi-faceted strategies and use of law, science, technology and innovation in sustainable interventions are an obligation to all stakeholders.
“All governments and their agencies across the world, NGOs, institutions of higher learning, business communities, professional bodies, and all other stakeholders working together are called upon to contribute individually and collectively towards this glaring danger of our current times,” he said.
The VC observed that research on “greenhouse” effects and climate change mitigation is a vital input by universities and research organizations for bridging the glaring national policy gaps. These include areas of environmental education, consumer behavior, rewarding and sanctions systems, as well as in legislation and government or organizational support in climate change mitigation.
He also averred that the climate change challenge comes with numerous opportunities for innovative and creative entrepreneurs.
“These include coming up with innovative solutions for clean and green energy, tree planting, restoration of water towers, conservation, and Cloud Seeding Technology,” he said.
The MoU signed by Prof Deogratius Jaganyi and his IUM counterpart Prof Peter Nyarango, Researcher and Coordinator School of Medicine, Namibia covers various areas of staff and student exchange on medical courses as well as shared online teaching and learning programs.
It also involves joint research and publications, community engagement and primary health care, tele-medicine, sharing of online resource materials, joint grant writing and extra-mural rotations.
