THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, IN THE SUB SAHARAN REGION, CASE STUDY MOSHI UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF COOPERATIVE AND BUSINESS STUDIES
ABSTRACT
For years, African countries, mostly those located south of the Sahara have been characterised by internal and external conflicts that have eroded peace from the land. As a result, the economies of these countries have been going down.
Universities as resource centres for both thinkers and technical knowledge should be able to address the inter-linked problems and come up with short and long term remedies.
This study is geared to review and evaluate the role of Universities; towards sustainable development taking the Moshi University College of Co-operative and Business Studies (MUCCoBS) as a case study.
MUCCoBS, the only Cooperative University in Tanzania, has a unique structure compared to all the other universities. It has eighteen (18) regional centres scattered all over the country enabling to touch base with grassroots communities. The centres have a long record of working with various development organizations and promoting micro enterprises in the private sector.
Specifically the paper looks into the extent to which MUCCoBS, teaming up with local and international organizations, has been able to carry out its core functions and impacted the community; including promotion of enterprise development through Peoples Participatory Programs (PPP), Action Groups, Co-operative Member Empowerment (MMEMCOP), Rural Financial Services (enabling rural producers to access finances), Farmer Enterprise Development with emphasis on business as a central locus in sustainable manner.
By: DR. Mwende, E. – Senior Lecturer
Moshi University College of Co-operative
and Business Studies
Moshi - Tanzania
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Information
The MUCCoBS came into being as a result of upgrading the status of the former Co-operative College Moshi into a constituent University College of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in 2004. The former Cooperative College was established in 1963 as a training institution for the co-operative movement and staff of the Ministry responsible for co-operative development with eighteen (18) regional centres scattered all over the country enabling to touch base with grassroots communities.
This background endows the MUCCoBS with a unique history and specialization. It is the only University in the Sub Saharan countries that has such an established structure with linkage to the grassroots.
To sustain the role of the defunct Moshi Cooperative College, the new University College through its Institute of Continued Cooperative Education fosters grassroots training in all facets of cooperation, entrepreneurship and business management. The University assumes the role of a change agent facing the challenge of offering effective training to bring about sustainable development to the majority poor.
The concept of ‘sustainable development’ was made popular in 1987 by the Brundtland Commission report of the United Nations’ World Commission on Environment and Development. The Brundtland Commission defined ‘sustainable development’ as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’.
Given the development bottlenecks in the developing countries such as the energy situation characterized by over-consumption of low grade traditional energy resources- fuel wood, charcoal and non woody biomass contributing to soil erosion, reduced soil fertility and desertification encroachment, (Mangasini, 2008), Ignorance, Corruption especially by leaders (Chami, 2008), dependent budgets, unfavourable mineral contracts, Diseases, AIDS and Malaria claiming manpower, etc, are as if this generation is the last in these countries, yet it is not. There are uncountable other generations to come. The Spirit of Brundtland definition of Sustainable Development is that each generation living on this planet at any given time has duty to harness the resources available to meet their needs in such a way that they also prepare for the coming generations. The question is, how is this generation preparing for the other coming generations? Is there anything been done to this effect? If there is not, how do we situate ourselves to come back to the right track? What is the role of Universities? The study tried to review and establish the role of Universities towards sustainable development, taking MUCCoBS as a case study.
1.2 Situation and statement of the research problem
One of the major challenges for the developing world, Tanzania included is to adopt and implement development strategies for sustainable development. Sustainable development has been defined by many in various ways. However, the most referred to definition is: the development which gratifies the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Looking at the condition of most African countries, the world trade order and the current economic crisis, sustainable development seems a dream. This study attempts to review and establish the role universities towards sustainable development.
1.3 Objectives of the study
1.3.1 General Objective
The objective of this study is to use MUCCoBS as a case study to empirically demonstrate the role of universities towards sustainable development.
1.3.2 Specific objectives
· Review and Assess activities carried out by MUCCoBS
· Establish relationship between activities performed by MUCCoBS and sustainable development
· Impact of researches and consultancies on the community development
1.4 Scope of the study
The study was conducted among the students, staff (academic and supporting) in MUCCoBS and her centres, five other higher learning institutions for comparison, plus the community. It focuses on the roles of universities, MUCCoBS as a case study towards sustainable development.
1.5 Significance of the study
This study is useful to:
· University administrators because they will be able to formulate development policies and plans to act as guides for the roles of universities in addressing sustainable development
· Lecturers, the key change agents in development who will become sensitized on the constraints of sustainable development and determine pattern of their performance in relationship to sustainable development
· Students and community which will contribute substantial awareness to them as key players of development
· Future researches on applied developmental aspects in analyzing constraints of development and ways of enhancing sustainability.
1.6 Description of the Study Area
The study area (MUCCoBS) is located in the northern eastern part of Tanzania on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro region, Moshi Municipal (QDS 42, 56, & 57 – Kilimanjaro special sheet 1: 125,000).
1.7 Definition of terms
Development
Advance from lower, less satisfying, less peaceful stage to struggle to higher, satisfying, emancipating conditions. Development represents not only material achievement, but also cultural, freedom, and psychological uplift of man (Nyerere J. K. 1974). It is a process, not an integral end.
Sustainable development
The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations meets their own needs (UN department of economic and social Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development). Its components are environmental, economic and social well-being for today and tomorrow. Sustainable development should see the world as a system. That is interrelated components working together for a common goal. Optimization is reached if and only if the sub systems goals are in phase with the system.
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
Universities all over the world are tools for educating, analyzing data; creating information, imparting knowledge (perception, reasoning and learning), which is of utmost importance to developing and managing the future for sustainability of different societies. The concept of ‘sustainable development’ was made popular in 1987 by the Brundtland Commission report of the United Nations’ World Commission on Environment and Development. That is the development which gratifies the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Studies by Hasna (2007 ) point out that sustainability is a process telling of development of all aspects of human life affecting sustenance, resolving conflicts of competing goals, and ensure economic prosperity. Sustainable development should be looked at as a system (Lucey, 1997). That is the world as one system with its related components, that is human beings and world resources interacting together harmoniously for the common goal. This is doubtful, especially when one considers the developed countries and developing countries. The former consumes more than 80% of the world resources making their development sustainable, leaving 20% of the resources to be used by 80% of the world population. (http//:en.wikipedia.Org/wiki/ sustainable development, retrieved 20/1/2009). The developed countries sustain their development at the expense of developing countries. The developments of the developed countries have a negative impact on the developing and poor countries.
There must be a balance in that one component should not deprive other components for the sake of its development (Nyerere, 1974). Reaching sustainable development seems to be a dream. Universities should think of ways to educate the mass on the distribution of resources.
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3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 STUDY DESIGN
The study used quantitative and qualitative approach using the case study design. It was based on desk studies supplemented by limited primary data from questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions.
3.2 Samples/Sampling techniques
The samples were randomly drawn from academic staff, supporting staff, students, from MUCCoBS, five other higher learning institutions including University of Dar es Salaam, Mzumbe University, Sokoine University, Institute of Accountancy Arusha, and National Board of Accountants and Auditors and the community. Both random and purposeful samplings were used. The random sampling was chosen because it provided equal chance to every member of population to be included in the study. It reduces biases or prejudices in selecting samples. Purposeful sampling was mainly carried out at the MUCCoBS to increase the utility of the findings.
3.3 Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation Techniques
Integrated techniques were applied in collecting both primary and secondary data. Data collection was carried out in MUCCoBS and five other higher learning institutions.
Interview provided a flexible and possibility of collecting detailed primary data. Questionnaires were well focused planned and could reach distant objects. Documentation from both published and unpublished materials was used for secondary data.
Quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods were employed so as to establish the role of universities towards sustainable development.
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
TRAINING
Universities all over the world have a noble task of imparting knowledge, skills and changing attitudes of people for the purpose of creating individual and group sustainable future. The professionals as products of universities are key players and promoters of development. Education (both formal and informal) is a productivity factor and an indicator of development. No education – No development, and no further national progress (Nyerere, 1974).
The Moshi University College of Cooperative and Business Studies (MUCCoBS), deploying its wide -ranging resources offer various long and short courses. In total 13 programs are being run as compared to only 8, of the former College. This is due to need for more professionals in cooperative and business studies within and outside Tanzania. The University offers full time Post graduate Programs as well as distance. It runs Cooperative, community and Business management programs for social and economic development.
There are various courses taught by the University whose purposes are to impart sustainable development knowledge and skills. These are: Introduction to cooperation, Introduction to business law, Introduction to marketing, Savings and Credit Cooperative Management, Introduction to Entrepreneurship and management, at certificate level. At Diploma level are: Cooperative, Principles of marketing, Development Studies, Savings and Credit Cooperative management, Cooperative Law, Project Identification and Implementation, Agricultural marketing, Principles of Entrepreneurship, Methods of Participatory Appraisal, and Extension Education. At degree level are: Leadership in cooperative development, Cooperation and cooperative Development, Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Development, Approaches to Rural Development, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Methodology and Consultancy Techniques, Development Perspectives. Postgraduate level are: Applied Research methods and consultancy techniques, Perspectives and processes in cooperative management, Research Project, Project Planning and management, Globalization, Agricultural marketing, and Cooperative and community Entrepreneurship, Aspects of Community Development, Development approaches, Current challenges in Development, Research project, Planning community development projects, Power Dynamics, conflicts and conflicts resolution, Cooperative and Community entrepreneurship, and Natural Resources management.
Sokoine, the mother University, is Agricultural University, training professionals in agricultural skills. For Tanzania, Agriculture is the source of food, income for over 80% of population, raw materials for domestic and foreign industries, and national foreign income earner. Agriculture has a lot of constraints such as poor technology, poor infrastructures, unreliable market, lack of capital, environmental constraints, lack of know how, inadequate and good quality supply of water (Mwende, 2000). There are enough sympathizers of development, natural scientists, the movers are still few and our universities are enrolling a few numbers of them year after year. We need scientific researches to cause and implement development. To make it sustainable these constraints need to be addressed by individuals, groups and the government.
RESEARCH/CONSULTANCY
Universities ought to carry researches on how economic development activities impact the environment and man and develop policies to carter for the negative impact. Researches need to address industrialization, agriculture and transport. From the researches, policies and development plans are coined. In addition the applied researches ought to show the role of government in creating an enabling environment for sustainable development.
Previous experience with donor-funded capacity building programs
The College uses its long experiences in managing projects and execution of consultancy services to various clients. Summarised in two tables is relevant selected projects executed and consultancies provided in the past five years.
Tale 1: Projects executed
Programmes
/ ResultsFacilitating Formation of Rural Financial Services (RFS) in Dodoma (2001-2003) / Linkage of production and marketing with financial services by formation and strengthening 15 Rural Financial Service organizations and Producer marketing Organizations.
Pilot Project on member Empowerment in cooperatives (MEMCOOP) Kilimanjaro Region / Improved quality of coffee and output, regain of coffee buying and selling by societies, 35 Societies marketing members coffee directly to the Coffee Auctioning Market and securing better prices. Diversification of economic activities e. g. six Bee keeping Co-operative Society (HABECO) with responsibilities of organising quality harvesting and storage of honey and send it to processing company in Arusha for processing and marketing in Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions. The honey is being marketed under the brand name of HABECO known as Kilimanjaro Golden Honey. Improved management and operational systems are among the achievements gained. The MEMCOOP philosophy, values and strategies have been accepted by the Ministry of Co-operatives and Marketing and are being institutionalised within the government system for development of the co-operative sector and related organizations.