WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF COLLEGE PROFESSORS IN AFRICA?

I am grateful to all my college professors who taught me a lot of excellent values. This article is not about degrading their work or reputation, but a reflection and wake-up call for innovation. I am aware that not all fields are changing at the same level or speed but all are facing huge challenges that require constant and sustainable innovation. The ages of information and imagination seem to be taking us to a level many have not envisioned, especially in Africa.

As a book writing trainer and consultant, I have had the rare privilege of training various academic scholars from different institutions who are experts at what they do. There was a time I tested their ability to create without first consulting books. I asked them to turn on their computers and start writing about their ideas without consulting books first. Most of them became stranded. They could not do it from that level. I understand that their backgrounds deal effectively with consultations, but how far can that go in the ages of information and imagination? It is a season where a person needs to be rigid, flexible and creative at the same time.

My interactions with digital platforms, especially YouTube have opened me up to the privilege of learning from the best experts in any field of my interest. I learnt about personal development, business/marketing, leadership, content creation and others through it even though I am a Journalist and theologian through the formal training systems.

AI is also the bigger version of the disruption. Imagine a question and ask. You will get the answer you need. How can four years or more in school (which is too rigorous and expensive in getting answers to questions) be compared with thirty minutes of interacting with digital tools/platforms? I am not a technology expert. I am only a user, but as a user, I see its benefits now more than the long-time way of getting information and answers in my several years of formal education. This got me into a deeper thought.

I do understand about the need of those who need the formal school system for the training, certificates and titles to get jobs and improve their lives. This is also a worthy dream. However, how can that fit into the emerging generation of young people who don’t care about job seeking or title, but creating their jobs and results? They see constantly how many dropouts who are billionaires are hiring those with certificates and paying them. Should we ignore it or respond well to it?

The realities are facing us. Whether we argue for or against, the realities are still there, especially in Africa. I think that our African college professors must critically evolve to respond to the changes. What is obsolete must be seen as so and be updated. This is the way to the future. Anyone who refuses to upgrade to current realities in meaningful ways will be left behind, not only in teaching but in not having the students to teach. How can you maintain your job without the students?

These questions are relevant for the future of education in Africa:

1. Must it cover several years before it is legitimate in the age of speed and several options?
2. Can it differ from the current form in view of the current realities?
3. What is obsolete and how can we innovate and make it more effective?
4. Would young people continue to be highly interested in education in its current form in the future?
5. What must we do to unlearn and relearn? What kind of philosophy must we have and develop?

Realities don’t often go away because of your opinion. Only the right action in the right way can manage them well. What are you doing about them? How are you improving yourself? Engage in personal development. Become more to do more.

Pusonnam Yiri

(Author-Speaker- Trainer- Consultant)