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University training of entomologists, especially taxonomists in tropical Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

R. Kumar
R. Kumar
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
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Abstract

University training of entomologists, especially taxonomists in tropical Africa is examined. It is concluded that generally the education of entomologists in the subregion is very poor. Teachers with correct training and orientation are either lacking or when available do not receive the necessary incentives for effective teaching. Supporting facilities for academic work are either missing or where present have deteriorated to the extent of being almost useless. The situation is thought unlikely to improve in the foreseeable future. It has been suggested that international institutions in Africa concerned with the proper progress and development of Insect Science should take steps to organize a comprehensive master's degree programme in entomology along the Rivers State University of Science and Technology curriculum pattern. Alternatively, the duration of the Ph.D. course work may be increased to 9 months as suggested in the paper. This should help to produce at least some educated entomologists and hopefully some taxonomists for the continent.

Résumé

La formation universitaire d'entomologistes, en particulier, des taxonomistes en Afrique tropicale est étudiee.

On a constate qu'en général l'éducation d'entomologistes dans la sous-region est très insuffisante. Soit qu'il mangue des professeurs ayant la formation et l'orientation adéquates, ou qu'il manque a ces professeurs lorsqu'ils sont disponsibles, l'encouragement nécessaire pour un enseignement efficace.

II manque des facilités de soutien pour un travail académique. Même lorsque ces facilités sont la, elles auraient détériore au point d’ être presque inutiles.

Nous pensons que la situation resterait le même pour un proche avenir.

On a suggéré aux institutions internationales chargées du veritable progrès et du développement de la science entomologique, qu'elles prennent des mesures visant a organiser un programme compréhensif de maîtrise en entomologie, selon le modele du programme d'études, de l'Université de science et de technologie de l'Etat des Rivières.

Alternativement, on pourrait prolonger par neuf mois, la durée du programme de doctorat, ainsi qu'il a été suggéré dans l'étude. Au moins, cela aiderait à produire pour le continent quelques entomologistes qualifiés et, nous l'espérons, quelques taxonomistes.

Keywords

UniversitytrainingM.ScPh.D.entomologiststaxonomytropicalAfricaUniversitéformationMaîtrise en sciencesDocteur ès sciencesAfrique tropicale
Type
Symposium XII: Training in Tropical Entomology
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 8 , Issue 4-5-6: Recent Advances in Research on Tropical Entomology , December 1987 , pp. 927 - 935
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1987

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