In scorching July temperatures, the PARC team joined colleagues in Rabat, Morocco, for the 16th AAU general conference.
It was a great opportunity to work with the tripartite facilitating group for the Africa Charter – PARC alongside the UNISA Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair, and the Institute for Humanities in Africa at the University of Cape Town.
Three highlights of the event were:
1. A presentation on the Africa Charter, The Journey So Far by PARC’s Isabella Aboderin, HUMA’s Divine Fuh and UNISA’s Puleng Selago.
2. A panel discussion, Building Strong Research Ecosystems in African HEIs, with Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Vice Chancellor, University of South Africa (UNISA); Professor Kenneth Matengu, AAU Board Member and Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia (UNAM) and Professor Shose Kessi, Dean of Humanities, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Professor LenkaBula talked about Africa’s agency in contributing to the Global Knowledge Ecosystem, the vision of reclaiming Africa’s future as a co-creator – not just a recipient of knowledges – for local and global impact.
Professor Matengu raised questions about the ownership of knowledge – of knowledge sovereignty being at risk. For instance, Africa uses 300 pesticides and herbicides that are outlawed and banned elsewhere – who is telling Africa to use these?
Professor Kessi stressed the need for creativity and decentralising knowledge, to promote unity, peace and sustainability for human development and flourishing.
3. A meeting with Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, and her delegation, to plan a joint conference related to the Africa Charter, to be held at the University of Ghana in June 2027.
It was also great to catch up with Professor Oyewole and AAU colleagues, and to learn more about the impressive University Mohammed VI Polytechnic. (UM6P). Importantly, we forged – and will pursue – new connections with the African Union (AU) and the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA–NEPAD).
Overall the event helped us keep the Africa Charter front and centre for higher education leaders and policy-makers on the continent.
Our update included information about the new Africa Charter website. If you would like to be informed when the site is live, please visit africacharter.org and submit your email address.
Opening of AAU GenCon (photo: AAU)