In Cameroon the Icam also formed good engineers

Behind the foot, education. Symbol, in the eyes of many observers, the revival of Africa, the world of football may conceal another African reality, at least as important: higher education is growing. And this movement might well have major consequences for the future of the black continent - and for its relations with the West.

Little by little, in fact, a network of institutions of quality, international standards, is emerging beyond the Mediterranean. Number of public universities have made significant progress. South Africa has several excellent level, both in management for science courses or engineers. Capetown could hold the upper hand in many Western schools. "We encourage the professional sectors, in which 60 of graduates are employed within six months," said Jean Koulidiati, President of the University of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. These long-standing institutions, international rankings and the globalization of the superior are a powerful Stinger.

More recently, other more often private institutions have emerged, with the support of foreign partners. The Qatar and built a State of the art campus, called "Education City", which is home to half a dozen prestigious universities, U.S. for most in Doha. At Alexandria, Egypt, next to the "mass" universities develop private quality institutions. Canadians are also very present, particularly in the Maghreb.

Towards the emergence of "hubs".

As the French, they are not at rest. The international Institute of water and the environment (2iE), in Ouagadougou, engineering is accredited by the Commission engineers (sic) French titles. In Cameroon, the Icam also formed good engineers. Bordeaux EM prepares to open a campus in Senegal. CET, for its part, proposes cycles of conferences for African patterns, organizes seminars for management in Abidjan and Lomé, Togo, and offers training tailored for local businesses... All initiatives which demonstrate a renewed interest in Western actors - and geopolitical concerns are not absent. Of educational "hubs" are building. The 2iE attracts students from throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Same ambition for campus opened by Euromed-Marseille to Marrakech, in September: "We want to recruit all of Africa," says Bernard Belletante, the Director-General. Similar logic as Education City, or Abu Dhabi: all dream of capturing the future elites of the region and thereby enhancing their intellectual influence.

Result, the number of students is progressing at very high speed on the continent. There are 2.7 million in Egypt, which is a quasi-quadruplement in ten years. And, most importantly, the perspective is changing. So far, African students hardly had the choice between two options: go huddle in public universities low performing, or leave to train in Europe or North America - provided to pay airfare, accommodation and tuition. The number of those who chose for this solution, discouraged from attempting to return to the country because of massive corruption and sluggish economy, then tried to find a job in the West. Therefore, a leak of the brains on a large scale, prejudicial to Africa. It is estimated that the developed countries host more than one million Africans holders of a diploma of superior.

Career opportunities

But today, while Europe is sinking into the crisis, number of students realize that Africa shows a growth of the order of 4 to 5 per year for five or six years. That it has significant resources. That a local market in the use of frameworks develops, which may offer them attractive careers. And that training of quality strengthening - for a very lower cost than the West.

Also, considering a growing number of graduates and even African intellectuals to "remain in the country" - or to come back to. And to put their skills at the service of Africa. "The majority of my comrades of promotion want to work here," is Joseph Kalmogo, one of the graduates from the 2iE friendly officials. "We are people who want to be useful to Africa of tomorrow", Paul Giniès, Director of the 2iE confirms. What give a new impetus to the economy of the continent. What, also, stop emigration to countries of the North. "Training on the spot and keep is a major problem for Africa," said Jean-Claude Fournerie, General delegate of the CRC - HEC." But this assumes that the West change approach and wondered what added value it can bring.

While it is still that of the beginning of a movement. "The migration of African graduates rate remains stable, nuance Thomas Melonio, an economist at the Agence française de développement (AFD) and co-author of a report on higher education in the South of the Mediterranean." Result, the number of graduates on the spot progresses - but those who leave to study in the West are also more numerous. What is really new, is that African graduates can now perform beautiful careers on the spot. And they begin to become aware. "From both sides of the Mediterranean, in any case, there is interest in promoting the development of higher education in Africa.

The report and the point of view of Thomas Melonio and Mihoub Mezouaghi of AFD: