Co-operation in veterinary education between sub-Saharan Africa and the developed countries : experience of the University of Zambia

Abstract

As is the case with many other veterinary schools in sub-Saharan Africa, the development of the University of Zambia (UNZA) Veterinary School has been supported largely by aid from the developed countries in the form of general expenditure grants, staff training scholarships and technical assistance. The three major pillars of the policies which have governed interactions between UNZA and donors have been bilateralism, "projectisation" (the supplying of aid within the framework of specific projects) and donor management of aid. These have been blended according to the resources endowed by the donors and the negotiating position of UNZA. The authors discuss the effect of the consequent diverse policies on the development of the UNZA school. It is recognised that high dependence on donors by veterinary schools in sub-Saharan Africa will continue in the future. However, the emerging political and economic integration in the sub-region and in the developed countries, as well as the trend towards early specialisation in the veterinary profession in the developed countries at a time when countries in sub-Saharan Africa still require generalists, will mean that co-operation within a bilateral framework will become less desirable. It is therefore recommended that veterinary schools in sub-Saharan Africa evolve mechanisms for collective aid negotiations and utilisation of aid. Conversely, co-operation between donors in multi-donor supported schools will be essential to minimise rigidity in projects, which tends to undermine the cohesion of multi-donor funded schools.