THE ROLE OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES IN INNOVATION FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME EXISTING CHALLENGES

Susan K Lewa and Peter Lewa
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Susan K Lewa: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Peter Lewa: United States international University, Kenya

in ABEM Conference Proceedings from Academy of Business and Emerging Markets (ABEM), Canada, currently edited by Satyendra Singh

Abstract: This paper examines the role universities in Africa in innovation in support of economic growth and development. The African continent has some of the world’s rapidly growing economies. The continent has clearly discernable prospects for growth and development. Innovation is important if Africa is to achieve sustained economic growth, development and improved welfare of its people. African Universities can support economic growth and development by becoming more active in innovation initiatives in their operations. However, they have to address existing challenges that interfere with innovation in their operations. There are a wide range of approaches to conceptualizing innovation in the scholarly literature. Innovation can be looked at from the context of technology, commerce, social systems, economic development, and policy construction. Data and Information for this research was obtained from both primary and secondary sources. However, the work relied more on secondary data sources. The key conclusions are that Universities in Africa have an important role to play in innovation but must overcome inherent challenges in their operations in order to become more innovative and hence play their expected role in economic growth and development.

Keywords: AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES; INNOVATION; ECONOMIC GROWTH; DEVELOPMENT; STRATEGIES; CHALLENGES (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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