Cross-Border Cooperation in East Africa: Building Capacity among University Academic Staff

Abstract

Cross-border cooperation in East Africa dates back during colonial time and soon after member countries attain its independence in 1960’s, new Permanent Tripartite Commission formed in 1967 but collapsed in 1977, due to political differences, consequently, East Africa Community (EAC) revived in 1999, currently, with five member states and possibility of new members to come on board, despite the bloc’s members educational opportunities, intra-regional staff/research exchange in East Africa still reflects a dominant North-South global staff/research exchange. The creation of EAC renewed interest and possibility of regional capacity building cooperation, as a tool to its economic development. This paper investigates on how EAC’s universities can utilize training and research opportunities available within the region to build their universities academic staff capacities. Enhanced academic staff capacity will provide the region and universities in particular with a pool of well trained experts for effective participation in teaching, research and community services which will enable universities to meaningfully achieve its core functions and regional economic development as a whole. This study recommends creation of centres of excellence within the region to enable academic staff and students to share research findings and best practices in different academic disciplines.