Bok Returns From Africa Trip, Visited Three Nations on Tour

President Bok said yesterday be gained "a closer, more vivid appreciation of problems of underdeveloped countries," as a result of his two-and one-half week tour through Africa which ended on Friday.

Bok and John H. Knowles '47, chairman of the Rockefeller Foundation and sponsor of the trip met with government, university and public health officials in Nigeria, Zaire and Kenya.

I took the trip because it would be of genuine assistance is evaluating closer, more opportunities to be useful in public health and business opportunities abroad." Bok said.

Business School

Bok said the Business School "is contemplating one or two ventures in Africa." He said he hopes to "translate the trip into better judgments" on future University concerns undertaken in Africa.

It can't be permanent that a large part of the world will exist with different incomes," Bok said. "Interdependent," relationships' will increase and the universities as control institutions will be involved in the increase."

Although Knowles invited Bok to join the Rockefeller expedition. Bok said if the Foundation asked him, he would personally pay for any travelling and accomodation expenses.

Bok's Expedition

Knowles said yesterday that Bok had asked him several times about going on the trip one of many expeditions Knowles has led to examine the accomplishments of the Foundation's university development program.

While in Zaire. Bok said, he spoke with President Mobuto Sese Seko for 40 minutes. He said the conversation centered on "what the Rockefeller Foundation was doing in Zaire."

Bok also met with alumni while visiting Nigeria's Lagos and Ibadan Universities and Kenya's Nairobi University.

"It wasn't very formal--just a few welcoming remarks at receptions and then conversation with a large number of individuals." Bok said about the alumni gathering.

Knowles said he may ask Bok to come along with him on a foundation trip to Southeast Asia in the near future. But Bok said he did not see "how much more it would pay to go to another underdeveloped area."

If You See One

Bok said he may not have the time to go because he has "an awful lot to do here. If you go to at least one important area in the Third World you can get a clear idea of the public health situation.

Knowles said that while in Zaire and Nigeria he evaluated work done with health services for living in rural areas.

Knowles served as general director of the Massachusetts General Hospital from 1962-72 and is a former professor of Medicine at the Medical School.