Higher Education in the Developing World:Drosophila Neurogenetics, Uganda

http://drosophila-uganda.blogspot.com/

Tom Baden & Lucia Prieto Godino

Education in Sub-Saharan Africa

Higher Education

PRIVATE

PUBLIC

PovertyReduction

EconomicGrowth

SustainedIncomeGrowth

IncreasedSpending

TaxRevenue

Productivity, Enterpreneurship, Specialisation, Jobs

R&D, FDI, Governance, Safety, Social Development

Sources: Bloom, Canning and Chang 2006, The World Bank #54441

Higher Education is essential for Development.

Problem: Not enough university lecturers!

Sub-Saharan Africa is way behind...

% w

ith t

ertia

ry e

duca

tion

What can we do?

It is easy to be fatalistic about science in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers there face so many systemic problems — poor facilities, lack of funding, corruption and government instability — that it seems impossible for any single willing scientist in the developed world to make a difference for their African counterparts.

Uganda

Drosophila Neurogenetics, Uganda:

„Introducing Neuroscience

to African universities“

Uganda

Source: UNICEF

Enrollment- Primary: 82%- Secondary: 25%- Teritiary: 2%,

doubling every 3 years

- Population: 33 million - Languages: English, Luganda- GNI per capita: 460$ (Germany: 43000$)

- 52% below poverty line of 1.25$/day

~ 60 universities and polytechnics

Kampala International University, Western Campus

Drosophila Neurogenetics Uganda, 2011

Students from 6 countries…Lots of support…

http://drosophila-uganda.blogspot.com/

Slater Fund

Drosophila Neurogenetics Uganda, 2011

The faculty...

...the students...

...and a fly...

http://drosophila-uganda.blogspot.com/

...the local organising committee

The lab…

Theoretical Sessions

Practical Sessions

TReND in Africa gUG (charitable NGO)

1) Organise Neuroscience courses at local universities

2) Establish permanent research facilities at local universities

3) Establish a stipendary program for young African Neuroscientists

4) Promote international collaboration

Teaching and

Research in

Neuroscience for

Development... ...in Africa

„Promoting Neuroscience

Education and Research in

sub-Saharan Africa“

Now what?

Repeat the course with increased funding

Launch 1st MA Course in Neuroscience at KIU (2nd in East Africa)

Timeline2011 2012 2013 2014+

Expand the framework to other disciplines & other countries

Pilot completed

Set-Up a permanent research facilityat KIU with equipment donations

Found TReND in Africa (charitable NGO)

The future…

Thanks to…

FacultyLucia Prieto-GodinoIsa PalaciosLola Dolores Martin BermudoMarta Vicente

Local Organising CommitteeSadiq YusufPonchang WuyepPeter EkanemKintu MugagaFrancis NdagireWinnie and Pascal& many more

Jim Haseloff, Jim Ajioka, Leon Lagnado, Berthold Hedwig, Simon Laughlin, Holger Krapp, Hugh Robinson, Glenn Harris, Thomas Euler, Mike Bate, Michael Akam, Stefan Pulver, Felix Evers, Paola Cognigni, Adelaine Leung, Jill Pen, Jean-Paul Vincent, Matt Williams

Equipment donations & Support

http://drosophila-uganda.blogspot.com

Slater Fund

Uganda

The equipment…