Higher Education in the Developing World: Drosophila Neurogenetics, Uganda

1. Higher Education in the Developing World: Drosophila Neurogenetics, Uganda Tom Baden & Lucia Prieto Godino http://drosophila-uganda.blogspot.com/

2. Sub-Saharan Africa is way behind... % with tertiary education Education in Sub-Saharan Africa Higher Education is essential for Development. Productivity, Enterpreneurship, Specialisation, Jobs PRIVATE Higher Education Economic Growth Increased Spending Sustained Income Growth Tax Revenue Poverty Reduction PUBLIC R&D, FDI, Governance, Safety, Social Development Problem: Not enough university lecturers! Sources: Bloom, Canning and Chang 2006, The World Bank #54441

3. 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.

4. Uganda Drosophila Neurogenetics, Uganda: „Introducing Neuroscience to African universities“

5. Uganda • - Population: 33 million • Languages: English, Luganda • GNI per capita: 460$ (Germany: 43000$) • 52% below poverty line of 1.25$/day • Enrollment • Primary: 82% • Secondary: 25% • Teritiary: 2%, • doubling every 3 years ~ 60 universities and polytechnics Source: UNICEF

6. Kampala International University, Western Campus

7. Drosophila Neurogenetics Uganda, 2011 Students from 6 countries… Lots of support… Slater Fund http://drosophila-uganda.blogspot.com/

8. Drosophila Neurogenetics Uganda, 2011 ...the local organising committee The faculty... ...the students... ...and a fly... http://drosophila-uganda.blogspot.com/

9. The lab…

10. Theoretical Sessions

11. Practical Sessions

12. TReND in Africa gUG (charitable NGO) „Promoting Neuroscience Education and Research in sub-Saharan Africa“ Teaching and Research in Neuroscience for Development... ...in Africa • Organise Neuroscience courses at local universities • Establish permanent research facilities at local universities • Establish a stipendary program for young African Neuroscientists • Promote international collaboration

13. Now what? Pilot completed Found TReND in Africa (charitable NGO) Repeat the course with increased funding Set-Up a permanent research facility at KIU with equipment donations Launch 1st MA Course in Neuroscience at KIU (2nd in East Africa) Expand the framework to other disciplines & other countries 2011 2012 2013 2014+ Timeline

14. The future…

15. Thanks to… Faculty Lucia Prieto-Godino Isa Palacios Lola Dolores Martin Bermudo Marta Vicente Local Organising Committee Sadiq Yusuf Ponchang Wuyep Peter Ekanem Kintu Mugaga Francis Ndagire Winnie and Pascal & many more Slater Fund Equipment donations & Support 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 http://drosophila-uganda.blogspot.com

16. Uganda

17. The equipment…