Science and engineering education in Africa-prospects of remote laboratories

Abstract

Science and engineering education play a vital role in the development of every nation. The science and engineering capacity of a country determines its level of innovation and competitiveness. Its study broadens the mind and exposes one to the richness and excitement of the natural world. The technical nature of engineering and science education makes it unique in content and approach, thereby requiring special attention and care. The difference between developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries rests on the ability of the developed countries to use engineering and science to convert scientific ideas into technology locally, while the developing and under developing countries have yet to effectively do same. However, the same cannot be said for African countries. Some economists have expressed the view that the continent's underdevelopment can be partly attributed to this widening gap. The development of science and engineering education in Africa has seen little growth over the years. � 2012 IEEE.