By Elvis Tah
The University of Buea, UB, recently celebrated the International Day of the Francophonie under the theme "Vivre ensemble, différents".
The occasion presided over by the UB Vice Chancellor, VC, Prof. Vincent Titanji, took place in Amphi 150 C and was attended mostly by staff and students of Francophone extract.
The occasion comprised a panel discussion by French lecturers, including the French Technical Assistant at the French Embassy, Cedric Armand. It was followed by prize donation to some meritorious students who took part in a French essay writing competition.
In his discourse, Titanji said Francophonie aims are to promote the French language and its cultural and linguistic diversity, to promote peace, democracy and human rights, support education, training and research and to promote cooperation in developmental services and solidarity.
The VC said UB had the privilege to receive the French Ambassador to Cameroon, His Excellency George Serre, accompanied by the Cultural Adviser of the French Embassy, Jean Michel Kasbarian.
He said the aim of their visit was to offer scholastic materials to the Faculty of Science and to identify the priority needs of UB and channel it to French Cooperation for immediate action.
The VC said UB lecturers and students have been benefiting enormously from the French Cooperation and other Francophonie universities and higher institutions of learning in France.
"The French Cooperation has contributed in the creation of a Resource Centre at the Faculty of Arts, which enables the staff and students to use audiovisual gadgets for French language courses," Titanji said.
Also on the panel was Emmanuel Yenshu Vubo, a Sociology lecturer, who spoke on the international organisation of the Francophonie and intercultural relations. Said he: "Francophonie could be treated as a vector of global cultural values and not just a cultural or linguistic movement on its own.
It is also involved in competition with other global structures like the Commonwealth or the Portuguese speaking community and the Islamic movement."
According to Yenshu, these movements are universal in nature in the relationship between them, but there are also relationships between the grand cultures and the sub-cultures and even ethnic cultures. He said Francophonie is not a dominant culture, rather it simply compliments other cultures.
On his part, Raymond Mbouognong, a French lecturer said Francophonie comes from the habit to speak French. "Francophonie is present and is alive in the Southwest Province because there are bilingual students in Lycée and UB and the Southwest community has the habit of speaking a bit of French," said Mbouognong.
Another panellist, Dr. Moluh Seidou, a lecturer in the Advances School of Translators and Interpreters, ASTI, presented a paper on the relationship between Arabic and Francophonie cultures.
In an interview with the VC on why UB, an Anglo-Saxon university, would be organising Francophonie, Titanji said Cameroon is a bilingual country based on her colonial history (French and English) reason why it also celebrates Francophonie Day.Secondly, the University of Buea is a member of a group of Francophonie universities and enjoys French co-operation.
"We have had financial support for the creation of our library," said the VC.Quizzed on what importance the Arabic language in an Anglo-Saxon university is and its role in Francophonie the VC said "Most of north Africa speaks Arabic so it is very useful especially when communicating within the African Union.
We are also taking Spanish, making it a total of four official languages that are being taught here."On the input of UB in the organisation of Francophonie he said, "We are running one of the formal schools of interpretation, ASTI, so that is already an input because it promotes French, English and bilingualism."
"In his discourse, Titanji said Francophonie aims are to promote the French language and its cultural and linguistic diversity, to promote peace, democracy and human rights, support education, training and research and to promote cooperation in developmental services and solidarity."
Titanji you need to go to Rwanda, and tell this to the families of over 800,000 people killed during genocide.
You need to go to Ivory Coast and deliver this similar message.
What is next on your agenda. Make French an official language of instruction in UB. You are ready to do anything this colonial master detects just to remind as VC. No regards for any effect. Shame to you.
Posted by: M Nje | Tuesday, 03 April 2007 at 08:50 PM
The VC man even furthered his ignorance by declaring the triangle is a bilingual country. Little probity in this man.He need his J.O.B so obsequiuos must he.
Posted by: Ndiks | Wednesday, 04 April 2007 at 05:58 AM