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7/16/1950 - University College by Edwin S. Munger

INSTITUTE OF GURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS ESM Makerere College University College Kampala Uganda East Africa July Mr Walter Rogers Institute Current World Affairs Fifth Avenue New York New York Dear Mr Rogers We recognize universities colleges vital unique contri bution American Makerere College recently became University College East Africa What Here impressions ideas which I asked Principal college Bernard Bunsen comment A about The reactions Hon C Handley Bird these remarks differ somewhat included appendix In thinking about Makerere status deBunsen scomments mightfirstreconsidertheenvironmentinwhich operate The Governors practice varies Power colonial situations different territories I monopoly East African governments should Uanda Authority further concentrated execu typical other Governors oonfin branch within themselves Governor makes unimportant eneral policy matters important decisions I agree wholeheartedly What enlightened educated truth public exist balancin force In Kenya settlers highly articulate In future Afri Uganda Africans nominated local governments exerting Legco Unofficials July Indian Asso influence different ciaton Tanganyika presentedthe Trusteeship There Council democratic pendentmindedAfricansin popularovernment Despitenewmeasuresand Kenya Tanganyika though practical effects source fewer Uanda executive still confined modification cause oomtted major errors pointin blatant cmmissions dlroot harassment details An informed effec public True direct East Africe govermnents taxes Especially Uganda ethnic groups their revenue customs provide revenue British taxpayers presently footin bills number expensive capital recurrent expenses local overnments Expansion taxpayir business encouraged Strong political reasons offer explanation Uganda Tanganyika there little Justification Kenya Governments generally business advice Great Britain local businessmen Only Kenya appear business exert nminal influence years ESM As polltical force decline Within churches there large degree Africanization For example N A C Native Anglican Church getting independent C M S Will understood technically grant degrees ourselves A desirable We accepting Brirain East Afrlca needs technicians I think capitulated The college rejected humanities critics Vasey yesterday saying Un officials Legco forgetting great nical needs explain doing culture I think nical schools poorly We should produc Religious groups exercised great power particularly Uganda No Governor successful without attaining isfactory relationship Roman Catholic Church Church 6ssionary Society leading Protestant groups other The great majorlty eduoational institutlons under direct religious control aided state funds Religious influence Christian included declining still force second government Non European controlled religion Western flavor growing Africans It flared years Kikuyu schools female circumcision Gorermment backed mlsslons Kikuyu bucked their church hundred independent inferior schools Last month Barino disturbances rellg basis Dini Msambwa although outlawed appears kluence different character established religions Into atmosphere Univer College It spring Ibadan there little resem blance between Makerere College super school University London degree granting institution become years later There three objectives toward which Makerere growth directed simul taneously First education students useful citizens East Africa Our Ameri concept informed intelligent citizenry purpose college training fully shared British educators It luxury countries desperately short qualified teachers doctors agricultural officers erinarians others practical vocations Many people about technical education East Africa should second college akerere Critics right training wrong accuse Africans lacking Western concepts ethics morals character propose virtually exclude humanities social sciences curriculum For tunately there would carry tradiction recent letter writer East African Standard implored teacers deplored money spent kerere source African Member Kenya Legco which discussing share Makerere budget ESM4 One chief props Govt develop Africans think desire education generally their people world They jittery about immature dymamic West Africans going Britain large institutions London Second research unsolved East Africa Dr E B Worthington direction research East African High Commission government The opening month East African Institute Social Research under director Dr Audrey Richards autonomous Makerere academic beginning A number Makerere staff members engaged personal research there specific grants medical investigation teams Agree scale multiplied manyfold You absolutely right about Third possibly important independence strong independent objective force East Mitchell would Africa The region lacks cohesive liberal third force When European group If encouraged IF gubernatorial perch pragmatically sound theoretically standing Now Makerere staff highly usefl community Because percentage individuals among small European There myths population although numbers Makerere people practical handful people through their participate local ideas personalities exert unusually affairs Where would Uganda strong influence educationally impover Society without people ished region Independence depends maturity But University College people Achimota individuals within government funds start tribution complete indepesdence always prime condition This problem diffi pendent Fraser solve these territories addition uggisberg U S endowed universities tradition exceptional Governor academic freedom We desperately private Financing biggest stumbling block factors I where Costs running student This figure enrollment expands By about present O00 without propor tionate increase staff overhead Huge grants Colonial Welfare Vie under Damocles sword Development Fund Britain cannot expected continue special gifts Year The majority nominated colonial governments governments I0 budgeted increase almost geometrically officials To extent independence Mitchell should without So wanted voterinary school refrained direct interference Entebbe Veterinary although majority College Officer decision Council Makerere policy making favor Kabete college however discreet Former Governor Uganda Governor Kenya likely become Chair Makerere College Council retirement ESM True I wholeheartedly actions careful distin agree should guishable separate force East Africa marks functions We In future governments feeling taking wisdom relinquishing power voluntarily fundamental issues Recently their immediate regret their rejecting bonefit principle different expatria ferent commu To truly independent force nities We almost wholly college stand apart religious European staff doesn denominations This cannot difference share goals ideals break later trail beware following footsteps either major group Past religious Don think right bitter bloody Europe issue Bad feeling still harbored Elspeth Huxley calls chapels Tweedledum Tweedle physical twins exactly equal eminence They admin istration building imposing structures campus monuments strength religion East Africa Somewhat belatedly small mosque built serve Mohammedan students mainly Zanzibar A disappearing danger associaton college Uganda Kenya Tanganyika Zanzibar esented Coun while Northern Rhodesia Nyasaland I expect southern Sudan occasional students Ethio again southern medical students expected Sudan directed cosmopolitan touch The college crest northern Sudan their recently changed emblem Uganda students Gordon College crested crane design representing cipal countries Students still split themselves Eventually Tanganylka sharply along territorial tribal linss college I general atmosphere broadening professional training divided shall Makerere East Africa Tanganyika students educating directly indirectly people medical school studying problems participating every It still embryonic stage I think bring future character essentials This being molded outlined hopes critical tFeat0sgibi iteappgpiated NOTE Mr Bunsen formerly Director Education Palestine before professional educator U K named Principal fgllowing violent resignation predecessor Lamont matters policy autonomous college personalities De Bunsen considered compromise didate During Acting Principal pending appointment appeared directions response pressures various factions In months since confirmed surprised people independent administration This shook groups urged appointment supposition could dominate Sincerely yours Edwin S Muter APPENDIX The Honorable C Handley Bird Unofficial Member Uanda Legis lative Council He business East Africa twenty years heads Kampala branch large import export Kettles Roy Tysons Although British Belgian Consul Uganda maintained cause Kivu In Legco reputation challenging govern issues known person Uganda takes legiti complaints about govermaentmistor inaction He strong irritant public support communities least African Asian unlikely Governor would refuse renominate Bird attitude important because finger future events because voices feelings Uganda Europeans echoes Kenya sentiment His reaction remarks following statement The persuade those charge Government these territories those control University College apparent advance false there greater solidate press There filled careful patient training young generation which oversure unsure impatient control fearful responsibility The emphasis years speed Anti British propaganda widely fostered delegates U N O interest welfare peoples Well meaning ignorant ideal unthinking support It forgotten speed defined method which attempts startin point destina missing maximum possible between Education learning asset character means which individual fuller mental enjoyment begun enter limited intelligence student School College training still regarded terms dollars cents In pupils school college saddling State Church responsibility because graciously allowed themselves taught Failure class examination never regarded fault student himself always attributed enmity examiners suspects deliberately cheating reward This attitude common among Indian unity The difference between African Indian respect matter degree I would remind special suicide police squads stationed Bombay other Indian cities after University Examina results published Egyptian student attitude attacked examiners accusing deliberately trying I stressed primitive outlook because I found educa tionalists workers U N O U N E S C O visitors Parliamentary Commissioners clock Without understanding mental spiritual stature student population improvement standards planned achieved Divided counsel among those authority makes planning difficult The declared desire Makerere should autonomous organisation Whence autonomy arise Some existing authority appoint members Council doing indirectly retains control destroys autonomy The final result Governors lesser degree Legislative Councils would retain considerable control through their power voting annual subsidies In opinion native populations would Governors retain control They naturally suspicious everyone thyselves superior authority which inspires confidence Secreta State approached through Governors Certain Indian members Legis lative Councils present insistent increasing Goverranent Control because means stand chance securin right entry Indian students Makerere first secure ultimate control College Council itself To effect would later demand complete autonomy would doubtless secure financial resources their demand The fUture Makerere depends quality professors tutors together Far chosen their academic social qualifications instead character It enough Principal scholar kindly A benevolent exercised strict disci plinarian staff students There haired short haired women laokir discipline consequently unsuite control guide young African It curious African Indian regardless their standard behaviour demands standard personal behaviour those expects confidence Sloppiness sentimentality character contempt disgust Who choose staff What means derived whereby Council East Africa Aents overseas right right approach induce Finally University ereatin East Africa pride institution among Europeans among African tribes To achieve nation acclaim given U K Oxford Cambridge United States America Yale Harvard Princeton require sustained effort Council staff Success invaluable reward C Handley Bird Received New York