Professor Willibroad Dze-Ngwa
By Prof. Willibroad Dze-Ngwa
During his investiture following the October 12 Presidential Election, President Paul Biya announced the resumption of suspended PhD programs and the resumption of admissions into the Higher Teacher Training Colleges (ENS). This development has been met with mixed interpretations across academic and political circles.
Firstly, the decision could be viewed as a political gesture, signaling the government’s confidence in stabilizing the higher education system and restoring normalcy after a contentious election. It may also be seen as an attempt to win back the confidence of the youth, many of whom have expressed frustration over limited educational and professional opportunities in recent years.
More importantly, the move can be interpreted as a strategic effort to revitalize Cameroon’s education and research sectors, both of which have suffered significant setbacks due to the suspension of PhD programs.
The pause in doctoral studies had severely undermined academic research and mentorship across universities, stifling innovation and discouraging young scholars. Their resumption, therefore, is expected to:
Reignite research output and interdisciplinary innovation.
Allow young academics whose studies were interrupted to continue their professional and scholarly pursuits.
Strengthen the nation’s human capital base, essential for long-term development and competitiveness within the Central African sub-region.
Encourage renewed collaboration and partnerships between Cameroonian and foreign universities.
Regarding the Higher Teacher Training Colleges (ENS), it is widely acknowledged that these institutions form the backbone of Cameroon’s education system, preparing the teachers who sustain both secondary and technical education nationwide. The reopening of admissions and recruitment is therefore expected to:
Boost the training and professionalization of teachers.
Address the chronic shortage of qualified educators, worsened by high migration rates in recent years.
Enhance the quality of education, particularly in rural and conflict-affected regions.
Reassure aspiring teachers of the state’s continued commitment to education and employment.
Beyond their educational mandate, these higher institutions generate significant socio-economic benefits. Their reopening will:
Stimulate local economies in university towns such as Yaoundé, Bambili, Maroua, Buea, Ngaoundéré, Dschang, Garoua, and Bertoua.
Create new employment opportunities for lecturers, researchers, and administrative personnel.
Restore hope for thousands of families whose children’s academic progress had been abruptly halted.
However, the credibility and impact of this decision will largely depend on how swiftly, transparently, and effectively it is implemented. Avoiding bureaucratic inertia and ensuring equitable access will be crucial to achieving the desired outcomes.
In summary, the resumption of PhD programs and ENS admissions represents:
A gesture of peace and reconciliation, signaling a return to academic normalcy; and
A renewed investment in Cameroon’s intellectual and human capital, which remains the foundation of sustainable national development.
(Prof. Willibroad Dze-Ngwa
Heritage Higher Institute of Peace and Development Studies, Yaounde-Cameroon.)