The future of education and training in aquatic science within African Great Lakes

The African Great Lakes (AGL) harbor over 25% of the world's unfrozen freshwater, and provide essential services to over 62 million people. Understanding the ecological functioning and social-economic values of these resources is critical to inform their mid- and long-term sustainable use. Management and protection of the lakes also depends on riparian communities' involvement and knowledgeable experts that can address issues that arise, yet freshwater education and training in Sub-Saharan Africa suffer major challenges. This study reviewed and analyzed quantitative data from publications on AGL from between January 2010-2021, and investigated institutional websites and links to aquatic science programs in 10 countries. The study also evaluated qualitative data on expert judgement and student perception on challenges and hindrances to studying aquatic science in the region. The ascertained challenges included limited specialized academic programs, low uptake of academic programs, lack of timely informational access, the absence of career guidance, limited availability of skilled human resources, infrastructure, inadequate funding, and weak governance along with inadequate research. In the ten riparian countries of the AGL region, freshwater training was primarily offered as units in undergraduate programs, but rarely at postgraduate level. To bridge the gap between funding, highly motivated candidates, education, and training in freshwater science, we suggest pragmatic solutions such as the establishment of a global network of academic and training institutions, experts, and academic programs within the region and abroad to strengthen research, education, and training in aquatic science in the AGL region.(c) 2022 International Association for Great Lakes Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.