Current statistics in Science, Technology and Innovation in higher education in Cameroon and the establishment of gender participation

Abstract

Higher Education (HE) in Cameroon aims at promoting and strengthening Science, Technology
and Innovation (STI). However, statistical evidence indicates that there is no clear policy that
addresses STI educational concerns in Higher Education in Cameroon. This study was carried
out to document current statistics in Science, Technology and Innovation in Higher Education
and to establish gender participation. The findings indicate that enrolment in STI fields for
students and lecturers is relatively high in the natural sciences, but diminishes significantly
in health sciences, agriculture and engineering. Numerical evidence indicate that there are
more males enlisted in STI fields than females. This disparity is more pronounced in the field
of engineering where female students are near absent. There is a need for more investments
in STI in Higher Education in Cameroon but with special attention to addressing the gender
disparity.