407 



6 , 



economic, and political crises of the 19703 and 1980s are no longer new, 

 and moat African scientists are cognizant that no science will develop if 

 they await ideal conditions. 



Simultaneously, some African ministries and governments have realized 

 that the small-scale scientific establishments in their nations are in- 

 efficient in isolation and that scientists in diverse private and public 

 institutions need to cooperate. As a result, governments are turning more 

 to universities as loci of research and for whatever contribution they are 

 capable of making to the development problems of the nation. The scarcity 

 of funding, especially of foreign currency, hinders this new resolve; 

 however, it does provide a foundation on which to build in a small and 

 targeted way toward a physical, natural, biological, and social science of 

 development concerning particular problems of human need, especially in 

 the arena of food production. 



The provision of science and technology funding for African univer- 

 sities and research institutes also creates the potential for long-term 

 relationships between US and African schojars, their departments and 

 universities. Over time these relationships create immense good will and 

 enduring linkages which can outlast the changing winds of political policy 

 and regime. African scholars who benefit from these research projects for 

 development are an important elite who are consulted by the governments of 

 Africa about their policy toward US universities, firms, and the govern- 

 ment. Real contributions to the nations' development creates long-term 

 goodwill toward the United States and its institutions. 



