implement the decisions and recommendations in the Mbabane Programme of Action and the report of the second Conference; 2. Calls upon all African Governments to provide timely and effective material, financial and moral support to their institutions of higher learning in a manner that will enable the latter to discharge their functions with greater efficiency; - 103 - 3. Urges member States to establish a framework within which greater use can be made of the existing capacity in their institutions of higher learning for providing consultancy services, research and development, project formulation, design and appraisal and offering expert advice on developmental matters in general; 4. Further urges African Governments to assist institutions of higher learning in implementing the Mbabane Programme of Action which sets out their response to Africa's social and economic crisis; 5. Requests the United Nations, its specialized agencies and other technical assistance agencies to continue to assist the institutions of higher learning and strengthen their capabilities to enable them to make more relevant contributions to Africa's development endeavours; 6. Calls upon the Executive Secretary of ECA to assist in the implementation of the decisions of the second Conference of Vice-Chancellors, Presidents and Rectors of Institutions of Higher Learning in Africa. 241st meeting, 29 April 1985. 547 (XX). African Institute for Higher Technical Training and Research (AIHTTR) The Conference of Ministers, Recalling its resolution 348 (XIV) creating the African Institute for Higher Technical Training and Research (AIHTTR) to serve the entire African continent in areas of training and research relative to the creation and development of technology for industrialization, Noting that the present difficulties facing African development have underscored the region's deep weakness in technology development and serious dependence on other regions for middle- and high-level technical skills as well as for the provision of its industrialization requirements, 
**Analysis**
The text focuses on the development of institutions of higher learning in Africa, emphasizing the importance of technology development, consultancy services, research, and development. It also highlights the need for African governments to provide support to these institutions to enable them to make more relevant contributions to the continent's development.

**Category**
Education, Science and technology