The Pan African University Council is showing a new commitment to beef up the institution’s achievements while expanding its strategic prospects.
That much was made clear recently at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during the 7th ordinary session of the Pan African University Council.
And judging by what has been accomplished so far, for example, between 2012 and 2021, the University reached out to almost the entire continent, through the award of more than 2,500 scholarships, and tailored its teaching and research portfolio to key issues contained in African Union’s Agenda 2063, the prospects of more success are very
real.
And in giving an overview of the Pan African University, the President of the PAU Council recalled that the Pan African University’s mandate is double: producing world-class human resources through high-quality postgraduate education and instituting research as a pivotal force to drive Africa’s growth.
Chaired by the PAU Council President, Prof. Kenneth Matengu, the Session was brought together in a hybrid format – through physical and virtual attendance – the almost 30 members of the Council, viz.
Prof. Amany El-Sharif, Vice-President of the PAU Council; Prof. Mohammed Belhocine, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation; Dr Monica Masanza Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Uganda and Chairperson of the Specialized Technical Committee in Charge of Education, Science,
Technology and Innovation; high-level officials of Regional Economic Communities; UNESCO; development partners; Directors of PAU Institutes; Rectors of host universities; representatives of PAU staff and students and academia.
Staging too was Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission. The staff of the Department for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation and the PAU Rectorate equally took part in the Session, as they provided sound assistance in its organization.
Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, officially opened the Session.
She made a strong statement on the importance of the flagship programme of the African Union and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensure its sustainability. She underscored “the need to make PAU an international reference and accredited university to the benefit of the African youth”.
Prof. Mohammed Belhocine, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, acknowledged the great strides made by the University in the last decade following its operationalization. He saluted PAU officials and students for striving to contribute, through their research works, to designing ground-breaking solutions in key
development areas, to the benefit of the continent.
Topical issues regarding the development and positioning of the Pan African University across the continent and the world were discussed, namely: state of the Pan African University; review of PAU budget execution 2019 – 2021; mid-term report on 2022 execution budget; presentation of 2021 audit report; implementation plan emanating from
the programme review report; report on key thematic partners supporting PAU; report on 2023 budget session; presentation of 2022 graduation plan and 2023 academic calendar. Peculiar attention was equally given to the recruitment of the PAU Rector and Vice-Rector, whose ongoing process is currently at the short-listing phase.
Moreover, other presentations demonstrated the impressive financial mobilization of member states in supporting the establishment and full running of PAU Institutes; and underscored the need to strengthen the university’s human capital, achieve its strategic objectives, reinforce its financial procedures and complement the richness and
the uniqueness of study programmes to stand the competitiveness across the world.
And at the end of the Session, Council members commended the invaluable contributions of member states and key partners in the development of the Pan African University. They outlined a number of recommendations to address the pressing issues currently facing the Pan African University. Globally, they pointed to the need of
improving the staffing structure of the Pan African University, streamlining its administrative and financial management, furthering discussions on the review of the PAU Statute, building its international credence, and reinforcing its partnership with academia and the professional milieus within and above the continent.
