Earth science training and development in Africa: a United Kingdom perspective

The paper discusses earth science training and development in Anglophone Af rica, focusing particularly on support to geological survey organisations ( GSOs). A distinction is drawn between 'education' and 'training', the latte r used here in a vocational sense. Both are part of a continuing process of career development for earth scientists. First degree level education unde rpins all subsequent training. The onus for the latter lies with the employ ers, which need to develop appropriate training programmes for their staff that are compatible with an individual's career development and their own o rganisations' needs. There are relatively few graduate employees as a perce ntage of total staff in most African GSOs compared with GSOs elsewhere in t he world and the experience of many of the younger scientists may be limite d. This, and the often limited resources available, indicate a continuing n eed for support through development and institutional strengthening program mes. The main approaches to training and development are outlined and examp les are given of some applications of these approaches. The training provid ers include 'western' and former Soviet earth science institutions, organis ations such as the Association of Geoscientists in Development, and geologi cal societies such as the Geological Society of Africa. The changing emphas is of developing country technical assistance requirements is reviewed. The se include a shift from the leader-trainee approach by the provider to an a dvisory approach. The encouraging emergence of cross-border and regional tr aining and development programmes within Africa is noted. (C) 1999 NERC. Pu blished by Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.