Capacity Building and Sustainable Development: The Tertiary Education Example

Abstract

Capacity Building is a conceptual approach to social and personal development that focuses on understanding the obstacles that inhibit people, governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations from realizing their development goals while enhancing the abilities that will allow them to achieve measurable and sustainable results. It is central to sustain economic growth and development because human capital is the greatest asset to any organization. Tertiary institutions are expected to achieve National Policy on Education goals through teaching, research and development; sustainable staff development programmes; generation and dissemination of knowledge ; a variety of modes of programmes including full time, part time, day release, sandwich etc. Therefore, this study examined capacity building and sustainable development in Nigeria Institutions with a view to maintain minimum tertiary education standard, inter-institutional cooperation and dedicated service to the community through extra-mural and extension services. The study concluded that today “knowledge sharing” is becoming a key phrase – those who have useful knowledge (e.g. good universities, polytechnics and colleges of education) must share it with those who need it (e.g. industry, the public sector, or the public in general. This is not easy, but if properly applied will enhance sustainable development.