Audience granted to the South African High Commissioner to Cameroon by the Minister of State

The Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, granted an audience to this newly accredited diplomat in Cameroon, this Tuesday, 29 November  2022 at the National Supervision of Inter University Netwok and Digital Development Center.

At the opening of the meeting, Professor Jacques FAME NDONGO, Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, congratulated His Excellency MANDLA LANGA, for his recent appointment as High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to Cameroon. He took the opportunity to praise the excellent friendly and fraternal relations that exist between the two countries. This cooperation extends to the higher education sub-sector. The Minister of State noted the presence in South Africa of a large Cameroonian student community, a proof of the effectiveness of the university system in Nelson Mandela’s country. Thus, Professor Jacques FAME NDONGO expressed his wish, to strengthen relations between the two States in this regard.

During the exchanges, the Minister of State and his close collaborators raised important issues related to university cooperation. These included: academic mobility of students and teachers; digital transformation; scholarships granted to Cameroonian learners, as well as related facilities; equivalence and authentication of diplomas. In short, the promotion of technology transfer between the two countries as concerns higher education.

In his speech, the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received at the Ministry of Higher Education. He also emphasised that education is a key issue for the South African Government. In this regard, he praised the management of the Minister of State. After listening to the concerns regarding the development of the Cameroonian university system and the training of its citizens in South Africa, His Excellency MANDLA LANGA assured that he would convey them to the competent authorities of his country.

The audience led to the proposal by the Minister of State to set up a working group between the Ministry of Higher Education and the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa. This body will aim at reflecting on the strengthening of university cooperation between the two countries.  According to the diplomat,   this suggestion will help boost these relations. The project is in line with the vision of the South African party, carried by the thought of Nelson MANDELA according to which, a people without education is stuck in darkness.