Introduction and History of Higher Education
The history of higher education in Gabon is connected to the founding of the Central African Higher Education Foundation issued by the conference of the heads of states of the former French African Equatorial Federation on December 12, 1961. The conference adopted the charter for the organization of higher education in Central Africa. Gabon hosted the Polytechnic Institute and a law school in Libreville. Scattered over many countries, this university network did not survive the independence movements that gave birth to national universities in each country that achieved independence from French colonialism. The University of Yaoundé opened its doors in 1962, while the National University of Gabon was created in 1971.

In 1970, Gabon offered education at three institutional levels: centers of letters, law and economics, and sciences. In 1975, these institutions became the school of human sciences, the school of law and economics, the school of sciences, the school of medicine, school of magistracy, the national engineering school of Libreville, the technical teacher school, the forestry school, and the school of secretarial work. The National University of Gabon, which was renamed Omar Bongo University (OBU) in 1978, was not decentralized until 1986, when the University of Technical Sciences of Masuku in Franceville was created.

Governance and Administration
The university model that is the legacy of the colonial tradition is a centralized and unified institution where powers are concentrated in the hands of authorities. It is an institution that cherishes centralization excessively and abhors delegating powers. It is conceived in the image of an absolute monarch, jealous of his prerogatives, particularly with regard to conferring degrees and sharing knowledge.

Enrollment
Enrollment at OBU was estimated at 2,000, while the University of Technical Sciences of Masuku (Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku, USTM) hosts 700 students.

Faculty and Administrative Staff
Teaching at the two institutions is carried out by 600 permanent professors, among which are 80 French professors, 20 Canadians, and more than 70 contractual professors of different foreign nationalities. The student-professor ratios are generally good; yet, the faculty structure is quite hierarchical. OBU has a few university professors, a modest amount of lecturers and associate professors, and a considerable number of assistants (more than 57% of the total).

Although the number of administrative and technical personnel seems imposing with 272 at OBU and 96 at the USTM, the number of Gabonese employees is very limited, especially at the level of supervision: 78 at OBU and 52 at UTSM.

Private Education
In addition to public institutions, Gabon has private Catholic and Protestant institutions, schools organized by the Christian Alliance, and non-affiliated private schools. Private higher education offers a real alternative and could be a valuable asset for higher education generally.

Funding and Resources
The main funding source of Gabonese higher education is the state. The state finances up to 95% of the cost of each student. A generous financial aid system, which consumes up to 40% of the allocated budget, provides scholarships, room and board, and medical care. Fees collected from students represent only about 3% of the total budget.

To diversify their resources and reduce their total dependence on the state, Gabonese higher education institutions are struggling to attract donations, generate revenues, and make students share the cost of education.

Scientific Research
Many changes have taken place in terms of scientific and technical research since 1976. These changes reflect the concern of the government that research be current and relevant to the economic, social, and cultural requirements of the country.

Faculty and researchers publish in international or African journals according to their specialty. Universities host also publications such as the Anglophone journal WAVES and the Annales de l’Université Omar Bongo, published by OBU.

Note: For detailed account on the state of higher education in Gabon, please consult: Vincent Mintsa mi-Eya, African Higher Education: An International Reference Handbook (Damtew Teferra and Philip. G. Altbach, eds., Indiana University Press, 2003), pp. 326-329.