Speech by Professor Orlando Quilambo

President, Association of African Universities

Delivered at the 15^th AAU Quadrennial General Conference of African University Leaders

July 5-8, 2021|Virtual Event

• His Excellency, The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
• Your Excellencies, Past and Present Ambassadors and High Commissioners assigned to various countries all over the world;
• Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
• The Honorable Minister of Education of the Republic of Ghana;
• Government Representatives from various countries;
• The Secretary General of the Association of African Universities, Professor Etienne Ehouan Ehile, & all AAU Governing Board Members past and present;
• Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Vice Chancellors, Presidents, Rectors and other institutional heads gathered here;
• Distinguished African Academics from the Diaspora;
• Colleagues from various African Higher Education Institutions;
• Senior Executives and Representatives from development partner organizations;
• Captains of Industry;
• International Higher Education Experts and Consultants;
• Invited Guests, Distinguished Participants;
• Friends from the Media;
• Ladies and Gentlemen;
• All protocol Observed

On behalf of the Governing Board of the Association of African Universities, I warmly welcome you all to the first ever Virtual General Conference of the Association since its establishment.  Hosting the 15^th Quadrennial General Conference virtually, was necessary due to the restrictions on mobility imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and most importantly, the need to ensure the safety of participants. I am particularly pleased that you have all shown true leadership and commitment to the AAU by joining us here today and for the rest of the week as we hold critical discussions on the Conference theme - “The Future of African Higher Education” and its corresponding Subthemes. 

I extend the AAU’s profound gratitude and appreciation to all our members, partners, and governments for supporting us and working closely with us to implement the key resolutions and action points agreed upon at our last General Conference held physically in Ghana in 2017.  Our special recognition and appreciation go to the Government and People of the Republic of Ghana for hosting us once again and demonstrating unflinching support and commitment to the AAU and generally to higher education in Africa in many ways.  

Your Excellency Mr. President; Ladies and Gentlemen,

The world today is moving at a remarkably fast pace due to technological advancement and the rapid transformation of other key sectors of the global economy. Higher education for instance, has seen an exceptional and swift move to mainstream online and e-learning modes of learning.

This has been propelled by the COVID-19 pandemic which is revolutionalising digital and online education globally. However, many African educational institutions are lagging behind as they are not well equipped to adapt or transition to these new changes in the sector. The advent of the pandemic in Africa therefore raises concerns on its impact on the educational system in Africa in terms of resilience to different forms of instability, adaptability to unpredictable changes, flexibility of educational policies, institutional leadership, quality teaching and learning, infrastructural adequacy, financial sustainability, research capabilities and effective networking. What does the future portend for higher education in Africa within and in the post COVID-19 era?

It is my hope that this gathering of intellectuals both on the continent and beyond, will proffer guidelines as we discuss and hold conversations around the main theme and sub-themes of this 15^th General Conference.  It is worth noting that the theme also has its firm roots in the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016- 2025) and the AAU Strategic Plan (2020 – 2025).

Your Excellency Mr. President; Distinguished Guests, 

All of us need to work together to surmount the real challenges hindering the growth and relevance of Africa’s institutions of higher learning for continental relevance within a globally competitive environment.

We have been ushered into an era that will determine our destiny as a continent and as a people with a common heritage.  Our education and training systems are the anchors for the continent’s socio-economic development and as academics and researchers, policy makers, development partners, private sector collaborators, civil service organisations, policy think tanks and other stakeholders, our joint efforts will build Africa’s educational system to be solution-oriented and the most sought after by the continent’s citizens in the foreseeable future. 

At the AAU, we are dedicated and committed to working with all partners, including the many sub regional associations - the Southern African Regional University Association (SARUA), the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA), the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES), the Association of Arab Universities (AARU)and the Association of West African Universities (AWAU) to move Africa higher education to its rightful place in society and to improve on its competitiveness at the global stage. We acknowledge the work done by these bodies at the regional levels to complement what AAU is addressing at a continental level.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this happens to be the last time I am joining the AAU’s General Conference in the capacity of the President of the AAU Governing Board. I wish to thank you all for the support extended to the Board members and I during our tenure of office and assure you that we will continue to avail ourselves to serve the Association and remain staunch ambassadors of the AAU.    

I welcome you once again to this conference and kindly request you to fully participate in both the scientific and business sessions.

Thank you for your attention. 

Obrigado!!