Evening star., 1961-03-19
More and More AfriconStudents
Are Learning Our College Ways

100000 grant from the Carnegie
Corporation.
The universities, operating on
the principle that outstanding stu
dents taking a carefully selected
course Of study in our better in
stitutions Of higher learning will
make the most useful contribution
to the growth Of their own coun-
tries, are sending out American
admissions officers to sit in with
African educators as selection
committees.
The State Department through
It's educational exchange pro-
gram, and to a greater extent the
international Cooperation Ad-
ministration also have been ac-
lively engaged in bringing such
Sahara African students to this
country.
Fundamental Role
The ICA, which has the most
funds for this purpose, gears its
choice Of grantees to it's various
developmental projects in which
education as we'll as technical
training plays a fundamental role.
During the current academic
year the ICA has brought over
about 100 students in q rapidly
expanding operation which began
eight years ago. The Sudanese
illustrate the type of program
most Of these students follow DUR
ing q two-year stay. All are en-
rolled as undergraduates in insti-
tutions such as Massachusetts,
State Teachers College. Williams
port pa Technical Institute.
and Stout State College in Wis
consin. The students have been
chosen by Sudan officials work.
ing with ICA representatives in
the field. After completing their
education here, they will return
to instruct teachers in education,
vocational and technical training4
in the Sudan.
Last month the first group. Of
% Congo students arrived for ct
least ,1S months university study
in economics, education and en-
gineering to prepare them to as
sumo responsible posts at home
as teachers or government off,
cials. In order to benefit from
our college courses, these students
have been taking an intensive
English language course at
Georgetown University. Also they
are being taught to use library
facilities and even take lecture
notes because many have only
had a high school education.
Constructive Suggestions
Those who have worked closely
with African students here as well
as in the countries from which
the students come and who are
particularly interested that the
students should have q profitable
experience in this country offer
the following suggestions:
l. concentrate on quality Of stu,
dents but also keep increasing the
numbers. Encourage most Of them
to take the four-year undergrad
uate course to have time to absorb
the American experience.
2. Provide better sources Of In
formation and more competent
personnel in each Of the countries
to direct students to the college
best suited to his needs. For ex-
ample, education attaches might
be established in each African
country. It's not SO important for
Africans to attend the best uni
versities as those that meet in
dividual requirements. President
Nkrumah, who attended Lincoln
University, might not have bene-
fitted more from Harvard even
if he could have been admitted
in the opinion Of one experienced
worker with African students.
Many less prominent colleges Of
fer satisfactory training.
8. Establish q clearing house
where colleges can check creden-
tialS Of students who apply inde-
pendently.
4. Keeping in mind the fact
that colleges will be under mount
ing pressure for entrance by Amer
ican students and therefore there
will be more competition for
scholarships, supply increased
amount Of United States Govern
ment aid for Africans.
S. In this country coordinate
the government student operation
in State Department and ICA. In
Africa work more closely with
governments Of the countries be-
cause most students will probably
become Government employees on
their return.
s. Improve arrangements In this
country for reception and treat
ment of African students, perhaps
through Government aid to uni
versitieS to increase, upgrade and
expand the role Of the foreign
student adviser.
7. Finally, put less stress on in
doctrinating the Africans with the
American point Of view and trying
to turn them into good American
students and instead make every
effort to train them properly 10
assume important posts In their
own countries.