A debate is raging on the place of research in Africa.

Higher education has often been seen as a luxury in poor countries.

The educated are often suspected to be people driven by self-interest and from distinct communities who use education to acquire power and money.

In radically unequal societies where cleavages are sharp, it is very likely that those with knowledge belong to the haves rather than the have nots.

Some may flaunt their wealth whilst the majority have difficulty surviving.

It ends up appearing as though spending more on building the knowledge base of society may be a misguided venture.

In fact, such unflattering considerations have been used to malign universities in Africa and other developing countries.

Innovation resources

Sadly, this has resulted in countries not relying on their universities to create a system of research based- higher education and human resource development.

Whilst these issues are important, they do not provide sufficient argument for countries to refrain from seriously considering the building of their science, technology and innovation resources.

It may sound counter-current, but it is precisely because of poverty that knowledge must be used to 'make poverty' history.

Actions motivated to help the poor with good intentions may paradoxically create long term development problems.

Instead of trying to adjust universities to the situation of poverty, it is infinitely better to conceptualise a nation's higher education and university system as capability generating institutions.

In the final analysis, what is needed is the innovative research university to create the innovative individual.

This comes about by basing knowledge on research capacity, productivity and research based education for the creation of knowledge.

When a nation confronts problems, the worst thing that can happen is not to have a domestically generated knowledge base and resource to tackle any disaster confronting it.

If a country is in a situation where it has to look for others to deal with its problems, it has put itself in a disadvantageous position.

There is thus a very good reason why a research based university, producing the best and the most capable researchers and scientists is necessary for any poor country.

Prof Muchie works with the Centre on Development Innovation in Aalborg University.