Luanda — The principal of Angola Technical University (Utanga), Victorino Reis, said Wednesday in Luanda that the strength of an education institution rests with its competence in training and educating people capable of vital tasks in the society.

The official said so while opening the celebrations of the November 12, African University Day, instituted in the 1960's.

To Vitorino Reis, the institution is only a university when it has the capacity to work and generate a special type of knowledge, with sufficient skill in today's so-called global society.

"Global society is characterised by constant changes in the social, political, economic and cultural spheres. We are in a world configuration where people become more mobile and more genius," he stated.

Thus, he also said, the training of a larger number of people is important as it will increase scientific production, resulting in an improved African continent and Angola, in particular.

He also spoke of the need for a reflection on the specific role of higher education in the continent, with a view to practical proposals for the development of the sector, to the benefit of the community.

The ceremony was attended by members of Government, the deputy minister of Education, Narciso Santos, the secretary of State for Higher Education, Adão do Nascimento, academicians and other guests.

The African University Day was instituted with the purpose of boosting and modernising the training of Africans, aiming at securing the continents' sustainable development.

The purpose in the creation was mainly intended for the areas of peace, conflict resolution and good governance, eradication of poverty and creation of social wellbeing, including the fight against Hiv/Aids and other endemics.