Engineering education, development and growth in Africa

The demand for engineers and the under-employment of engineers seem to be simultaneous. This study looks for underlying reasons based on a review of existing literature. The paper suggests that the competency of engineering graduates in Africa needs to increase through enhancing and strengthening engineering education. This would include job market skills such as reliable communication, task and time management, familiarity with local processes and industrial standards, and related administrative skills

Social enterprises as agents of technological change : case studies from Tanzania

The thesis constructs a concept of “technology localization” towards developing new or modified explanations for technological change processes. Technology localization is described as a main variable in the pursuit of technological autonomy in developing societies, where autonomy refers to the capacity for self-generating, transferring and managing technologies in support of economic and human development. This thesis examines 6 case studies of technology-oriented social enterprises in rural regions of Tanzania. Research shows that social enterprises play a positive role as agents of technological change. Attention is drawn to the value of regulations that accommodate social enterprise and acknowledged business models.Doctor of Philosoph

Ujamaa: Planning and Managing Development Schemes in Africa, Tanzania as a Case Study

Abstract Planning development schemes and managing them are two steps in the same process. While each step requires its own methods and tools, connection between them, in a feedback loop process, is important for the relative success of development projects. In that light, this paper studies the historical experience of the Ujamaa development scheme that took place in Tanzania in the second half of the last century, on the topic of the relationship between planning and management inside development schemes. A review of definitions and distinctions between planning and management is followed by brief introduction to the guiding vision of Ujamaa. Afterwards a critical narration of the Ujamaa experience is provided, followed by conclusions. The main argument of this paper is that, other aspects aside, the planning and management processes of Ujamaa could have used stronger connection. While Ujamaa's vision and strategy are worthy of serious contemplation, and perhaps revival, present and future development schemes in Africa that recall the Ujamaa experience should address this point with more care

Leverage points in engineering ecosystems: student industrial secondments in East Africa

While the relative shortage of engineering practitioners in Africa has been reported as a major obstacle on the road to development, a significant number of existing engineering graduates still find it difficult to find employment in engineering fields. This dichotomy may be partially explained by the inability of local industries to absorb more skilled labour; a relative deficit (real or perceived) in the competency of local graduates in the ever-advancing areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); and/or a scarcity of opportunities to hone and demonstrate their competency to employers. To address the challenge of competency deficit, this study postulated that promoting effective engineering student industrial secondment (SIS) activities can be a leverage point in the engineering ecosystem by strengthening the linkages between engineering education, practice and employability. The study surveyed the history of engineering practical training in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, complemented with a pilot study of four long-term, employment-like SIS placements in Tanzania and Rwanda. The main objective was to observe closely, trial potential models, and learn from and synthesise effective SIS experiences. The study found similarities across the countries regarding experiences with student practical training models, their challenges, and the perspectives of stakeholders. Findings also support that longer durations of SIS placements than currently practised help increase the employability of engineering students. However, in view of the small number of placements, further evidence is called for

Reproductive Biology of the Thumbprint Emperor, Lethrinus harak (Forsskal 1775), using histological ultra-structural characteristic in gonads along Sudanese Coastal Waters

Lethrinus harak (Forsskal 1775) are very common species of the family Lethrinidae in Sudanese Red Sea Coast. Some aspects of the reproductive biology and histology of the gonads of Lehtrinus harak were studied between 2008 and 2009. The present study described six maturity stages for gonad development based on external features and histological study of males/females. Males of Lethrinus harak attain maturity stages at a relatively bigger size than females (at 22.5 cm for males and 21.7 cm for females). Lethrinus harak has a prolonged spawning season extending from October to April with peaks in April. Keywords: Lethrinus harak, Reproduction, histology, Abu Hashish, Red Sea DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-4-1

The Proximate Composition and the Nutritional Value of Some Sea Cucumber Species Inhabiting the Sudanese Red Sea

Some biochemical studies (protein, fat, moisture and ash) were done on three species of holothurians namely Holothuria scabra, Actinopyga echinites and Holothuria atra, which were collected from Abu Hashish and Kilo Tammania areas in Sudanese Red Sea. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in moisture, ash and protein content of the air-dried and processed animals. However, a non-significant difference (p>0.05) in fat content is encountered. Differences in moisture and fat content of H. atra collected from the two sites are insignificant while the difference in protein and ash contents are significant. All the measured contents in A. echinites are assumed not to differ significantly between the two areas except in their fat content. Keywords: holothurians, sea cucumber, biochemical, Red Sea, Suda