How Dr. Mbeng tries to revive interest in literature in atypical ways

The decline in interest in literary studies has become one of the most alarming trends in modern academia. According to the latest report by the Modern Language Association, the number of students choosing literature majors has decreased by 25% over the past decade. While STEM disciplines attract an increasing number of young minds, the humanities face the challenge of redefining their role in contemporary education. 

However, in this challenging environment, educators emerge whose innovative approaches prove that literature can be just as engaging and relevant as technology. Among them is Dr. Afuh Didachos Mbeng, whose teaching methods are reshaping how literature is studied in the 21st century. 
“When a student asks me why we should read Chinua Achebe in the age of artificial intelligence,” Dr. Mbeng shares, “I reply: it is precisely now, as technology transforms the world, that we need to understand human nature more than ever. And where else but in literature can we find the deepest insights into what it means to be human?” 

At the University of Ngaoundere, Dr. Mbeng has transformed his classes into true cultural explorations. He connects classic texts with modern realities: students analyze Achebe’s Things Fall Apart through the lens of contemporary social movements and compare Leopold Senghor’s poetry with modern African hip-hop. 
During his tenure, Dr. Mbeng introduced courses that bridged classical literature with real-world issues, inspiring critical thinking and engagement among students. One notable initiative involved analysing poetry to address gender and environmental challenges, leading to students’ participation in broader community projects. His mentorship programs have also strengthened the university’s academic culture, enhancing its reputation as a hub for innovative literary studies.   
“Last week, we compared depictions of nature in African poetry with today’s ecological challenges,” he recounts. “Students were amazed at how relevant texts from fifty years ago remain.” 

Despite the challenges faced by literary studies, the examples from Dr. Mbeng’s classes demonstrate that the subject itself is not the problem—it’s the outdated methods of teaching that fail to engage modern students. Today’s learners crave relevance and innovation. Connecting classic texts to current realities and incorporating technology into the classroom are no longer optional — they are essential for making literature vibrant and impactful in the 21st century. 
This need for relevance and innovation is not limited to the classroom. It extends to broader academic and cultural platforms, where ideas can be exchanged, and collaborative solutions can be developed. The CELLA conferences, under Dr. Mbeng’s leadership, embody this approach. By bringing together scholars from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, these events demonstrate how literature can transcend its traditional boundaries and address pressing global challenges. 
The Cameroon English Language and Literature Association (CELLA) stands as one of the most esteemed academic organizations in the region, recognized for its pivotal role in advancing cross-cultural dialogue and addressing global challenges through literary and linguistic studies. Renowned for fostering a rich exchange of ideas, CELLA has built an unparalleled reputation as a platform for academic collaboration and innovation. Its influence extends far beyond the African continent, attracting scholars from Europe, the United States, and beyond to engage in critical discussions on contemporary issues.

CELLA’s high-profile conferences are central to its mission, serving as unique platforms where academics and cultural leaders converge to explore how literature and language intersect with pressing global challenges. These gatherings are not merely academic in nature—they are vibrant, solutions-driven events that inspire action and collaboration across disciplines. Recent conferences have addressed critical topics such as climate change, gender equality, and ecofeminism in literature, demonstrating CELLA’s commitment to aligning literary scholarship with real-world issues.

The conferences’ uniqueness lies in their interdisciplinary approach, bringing together diverse perspectives from Africa, Europe, and North America. This diversity enables participants to reimagine literature as a living dialogue that connects cultures, eras, and worldviews. As one attendee noted, “The exchange of ideas at CELLA conferences transcends boundaries, creating a fertile ground for innovative solutions.”

Membership in CELLA is a testament to academic excellence and thought leadership. Being a senior member signifies not only professional achievement but also a commitment to pioneering ideas that push the boundaries of traditional scholarship. For educators and researchers like Dr. Mbeng, this affiliation underscores their role as key contributors to the field and exemplifies their dedication to advancing knowledge on a global scale.

As a senior member of CELLA, Dr. Mbeng has played a transformative role in shaping its vision and impact. Under his leadership, the organization has reached new heights of influence, particularly with landmark events like the 2022 conference on gender and ecofeminism in literature. This groundbreaking gathering brought together researchers from Africa and Europe to examine how climate change shapes contemporary literary narratives, resulting in actionable collaborations and innovative educational practices.

In 2023, CELLA further solidified its reputation with a groundbreaking conference on multiculturalism and multilingualism held on November 16–17 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Bringing together over 100 participants from Cameroon, the United States, and Uganda, the event focused on how language and literature influence values, mindsets, and behaviors in culturally and linguistically diverse societies. Discussions emphasized the role of bilingualism, multiculturalism, and inclusive practices in fostering unity and transforming lives.

Dr. Mbeng contributed both as an organizer and speaker, presenting the project "The Politics of the Collaborative," which explored how global literary and linguistic structures can promote interdependence, and the research article "Irish and Cameroon Children’s Literature and the Question of Multiculturalism." This work offered practical insights into resolving Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis by incorporating multicultural literature into education, inspired by Ireland’s successes.
Dr. Mbeng’s ability to unite diverse perspectives has not only enhanced CELLA’s reputation but also reinforced its status as a hub for global scholarship. “Literature is not just texts in textbooks,” he emphasizes. “It is a living dialogue between cultures, eras, and worldviews. When a Cameroonian student discusses Shakespeare with a colleague from London, a new understanding of both cultures emerges.” His leadership continues to position CELLA as a transformative force in literature and language studies, driving social cohesion and fostering global collaboration. 

Awarded the title of Knight of Academic Honor in Cameroon in 2024, Dr. Mbeng continues to push boundaries. He launched a digital storytelling program where students create multimedia projects based on literary works. “Yesterday, one of my students presented an incredible podcast on contemporary interpretations of African myths. It shows that literature can speak the language of new media,” he shares. 

“We cannot ignore technology and STEM, but we can show how literature enriches any profession,” Dr. Mbeng states. “An engineer who understands the power of metaphor or a programmer capable of telling a compelling story will be highly sought after in the future.” 

Through his work, Dr. Mbeng demonstrates that literature can be more than an academic discipline; it can be a living, evolving dialogue with the present. “Perhaps it is precisely this approach that will bring the younger generation back to studying literature—not as a museum artifact, but as a tool for understanding our rapidly changing world,” he concludes.