Our complex problem

During meetings with university vice chancellors in Abuja last week, it became clear to me that despite important contextual differences, there are many areas where we can learn from our colleagues in Nigeria, and equally offer important collaboration opportunities to them. There are areas in disease management, particularly in polio control, where Nigeria has a lot to offer to us. Despite issues of poverty and complex security challenges, Nigeria eradicated polio in 2016, and there have not been any cases of wild polio in the country since. Pakistan has gotten close at times, but is not quite there yet. Engagement with local communities, the role of tribal and religious leaders and creating trust among communities has been a hallmark of the Nigerian effort to tackle polio. Pakistani academics, policymakers and public health professionals can surely learn a lot from the successful example of Nigeria.

Nigeria, like Pakistan, has struggled recently with issues of floods and climate change and its impact on health and livelihood are relevant for both countries. There are common issues in myriad areas that include local governance, manufacturing, institutional autonomy, increased access to healthcare and a vibrant art scene that can create new opportunities to create new knowledge. The impact of the evil of colonialism on both societies still casts a long shadow. Beyond that, just the opportunity to learn about other societies, engage in intellectual exchange, benefit from a rich tradition of literature, or reflect on local history is immense. On my return, I spoke to a few people about why we do not engage with African universities more, and their response was: what do we have to learn from them? Clearly, we have a complete monopoly on knowledge and that is exactly why we are doing so well. It is terrifyingly sad that our inflated sense of self is stopping us from learning and contributing.

One does not have to defend the evil actions of a particular government — be it the US or India or Pakistan or anywhere in Africa or elsewhere — and still be able to call out our own arrogance. We have a lot to offer to the world, but a lot more to learn as well. Assuming that we can only learn from universities in particular countries, and institutions in other countries have nothing to offer is not only arrogant, it is also foolish. It is also neither the right attitude towards knowledge nor a smart policy. It is also not what other countries in the region or beyond are doing. I have been working with colleagues in sub-Saharan Africa for the last thirteen years and in my interactions with universities in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana, South Africa and now Nigeria, strong university links and student exchanges with India are quite common. So are partnerships between South American and African universities. While there are some rare examples of interactions between our institutions and those in Africa, many Pakistani academics I have spoken to find any such interaction a waste of their time. Not only do we miss out on the opportunity to learn, reflect and contribute, we also shut ourselves out of future trade partnerships. Our embassies in Africa reflect this broader issue and rarely have sections that foster academic ties between institutions in Africa and those in Pakistan.

Development requires intellectual exchange. Intellectual exchange is more than a mere technology transfer from rich to the less rich. It should be rooted in inquiry, curiosity and a real appreciation for knowledge. This appetite requires both humility and a genuine desire for learning. Currently we lack both.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2023.

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