Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T12:17:26.788Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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
Get access

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

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Ekong, D. E. U. (1983) Institutional arrangements for science teaching. In What Science? (Edited by Ukoli, F. M. A.) Heinemann Educational Books & Ibadan University Press, Ibadan.Google Scholar
Harris, J. (1986) Why can't a school be like a University? New Scientist. No. 1504, 54–55.Google Scholar
Ike, V. C. (1976) University development in Africa the Nigerian experience. Oxford University Press, Ibadan.Google Scholar
Kim, K. C. (1975) Systematics and systematics collections: Introduction. Bull. ent. Soc. Am. 21, 89–91.Google Scholar
Kumar, R. (1981) The case for the establishment of an insect identification service and taxonomie research centre(s) in Africa. Insect Sci. Applic. 1, 425–430.Google Scholar
Kumar, R. (1984) Insect Pest Control with special reference to African Agriculture. Edward Arnold Ltd., London.Google Scholar
Medler, J. T. (1980) Insects of Nigeria—Check list and bibliography. Memoirs American Entomological Institute No. 30, 1–919.Google Scholar
Minnick, D. R. and Webb, J. (1977) Auto-tutorial instruction in Entomology: insect identification. Bull. ent. Soc. America. 23, 205–207.Google Scholar
Odeinde, T. O. and Alabi, G. A. (1983) Provision, accessibility and use of scientific literature in Nigerian Universities. In What Science? (Edited by Ukoli, F. M. A.) Heinemann Educational Books & Ibadan University Press, Ibadan.Google Scholar
Odhiambo, T. R. (1984a) Science and technology—the East African experience. Public Lectures 1983–1984. Rivers State University of Science & Technology, Port Harcourt. 57–68.Google Scholar
Odhiambo, T. R. (1984b) Management of scientific research in Africa—Problems and prospects. Public Lectures 1983–1984. Rivers State University of Science & Technology, Port Harcourt. 45–56.Google Scholar
Onazi, O. C. (1982) Entomological education at the subdegree training level. Ent. Soc. Nigeria. Occ. Publ. No. 26, 9–12.Google Scholar
Shaw, S. R. (1984) Specialization and systematics. Bull. ent. Soc. America. 30: p. 2.Google Scholar
Slater, J. A. (1984) The place of systematists in contemporary Society. Bull. ent. Soc. America. 30, 4–7.Google Scholar
Taylor, R. W. (1983) Descriptive taxonomy: past, present and future. In Australian systematic entomology: a bicentenary perspective. (Edited by Highley, E. and Taylor, R. W.), pp. 93–134. CSIRO, Melbourne.Google Scholar
Taylor, T. A. (1968) Taxonomie studies in Nigeria—present and future. Bull. ent. Soc. Nigeria 1, 49–51.Google Scholar
Ukoli, F. M. A. (1983) Profile of the Nigerian Scientist. In What Science? (Edited by Ukoli, F. M. A.) Heinemann Educational Books & Ibadan University Press, Ibadan.Google Scholar
Ukoli, F. M. A. (1985) Sciencing: The Nigerian Scientists Perspective. Paper presented at the 26th Annual Conference of the Science Teachers’ Association of Nigeria, Sokoto. 3–7 September, 1985 (Mimeo).Google Scholar
Yesufu, T. M. (1973) Emerging issues of the 1970s—Developing Research. In Creating the African University (Edited by Yesufu, T. M.). Association of African Universities and Oxford University Press, Ibadan.Google Scholar
Youdeowei, A. (1982) Entomological education in Nigerian Primary and Secondary Schools. Ent. Soc. Nigeria, Occ. Publ. No. 26, 5–8.Google Scholar