Pretoria - Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe, on Sunday called on developing countries to continue to work towards increasing their spending in the higher education sector.
Speaking at the Association of Commonwealth Universities Conference of Executive Heads in Cape Town, Motlanthe also called on universities to produce a new generation of scholars, researchers and thinkers to invigorate democracy.
"Universities should advance the public good by sustaining an informed and active citizenry, reducing economic marginalisation and inequality, advancing science and innovation, and ensuring qualitative progress in human development,' he said.
Motlanthe said universities, as centres for the pursuit of knowledge and excellence, are key partners in monitoring progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and seeking innovative responses to the challenges identified in the process.
"None of these goals can be achieved, however, if our knowledge producers are not active participants in developing the necessary knowledge and values required for sustainable development.
"South Africa has prioritised expenditure on education, research and development and continues to strive for better support of the research and development efforts," he said.
Motlanthe added that inadequate capacity at universities affects both teaching and research, but the effects are especially adverse in the area of research.
He said many governments in developing countries are not able to provide enough funding to universities because often they have to contend with other pressing priorities such as the provision of health care, basic education and basic services.
"Africa cannot achieve the development envisaged in the MDGs without increasing participation rates, deepening quality, and growing a vibrant new generation of researchers actively engaged with the social, scientific and economic challenges of the region," he said.
The Association of Commonwealth Universities was established in 1913 and is the world's oldest inter-university network, and represents approximately 500 universities across the Commonwealth.
The Association aims to advance international cooperation and understanding in higher education in Commonwealth nations.
