Charter Launch
Launch date during COREVIP 2023
Wednesday 5th July, Windhoek, Namibia
Launching the Africa Charter for Transformative Research Collaborations
In conjunction with the AAU Biennial Conference Of Rectors, Vice Chancellors and Presidents of African Universities 2023 (COREVIP 2023), high-level representatives of major higher education (HE) and research institutes, networks, and funding and policy bodies in Africa, Europe and beyond came together for the launch of a new Africa Charter for advancing transformative research collaborations between Africa and the rest of the world.
The ambitious Charter Initiative, a joint endeavour of Africa’s key HE bodies, and facilitated in partnership with the University of South Africa Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair and the University of Cape Town Institute for Humanities in Africa (HUMA), aims to redress entrenched power imbalances in global knowledge production.
Launching the Africa Charter: a gallery
Programme
Part 1: Setting the Scene
09.30 – 09.40: Opening musical performance
09.40 – 09.55: Welcome and introductory remarks
- Prof Olusola Oyewole, Secretary General, Association of African Universities
- Prof Ernest Aryeetey, Secretary General, African Research Universities Alliance
- HE Prof Mohammed Belhocine, African Union, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation
09.55 – 10.00: Introduction of programme
Moderator: Prof Ambreena Manji, Dean of International for Africa, Cardiff University
10.00 – 10.25: The Charter Initiative: meaning, vision, potential
- Prof Sue Harrison, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Cape Town
- Prof Puleng LenkaBula Vice Chancellor, University of South Africa
- Prof Evelyn Welch, Vice Chancellor, University of Bristol
- Mr James Alexandroff, Perivoli Foundation (PI)
Part 2: The Case
10.25 – 11.00: Africa and global scientific knowledge production: the imperative of advancing transformative research collaborations
Presentation and moderated plenary discussion
11.00 – 11.20: Refreshment break
11.20 – 12.10: Importance of a Charter framework to advance transformative research collaborations
Panel and moderated plenary discussion.
Moderator: Prof Wisdom Tettey, Vice President University of Toronto, Principal University of Toronto, Scarborough.
Panelists (tbc)
- Dr. Fonteh Akum, Executive Director, Institute for Security Studies, South Africa
- Dr. Julien Bobineau, Chair, Development Cooperation Working Group, Coimbra Group
- Prof. Adenike Temidayo Oladiji, Secretary General, Association of West African Universities
- Dr. Nokuthula Mchunu, Deputy Director, Africa Open Science Platform
Part 3: Presenting and endorsing the charter
12.10 – 12.40: The Charter and roadmap for its implementation
Presentation and Q&A
12.40 – 13.10: Endorsement of Charter
Representatives of relevant institutions and bodies sign (in person and video recordings) declaration endorsing Charter principles and aspirations, and expressing support for wider initiative to realise them.
13.10 – 13.20: Concluding remarks
Prof Kenneth Matengu, Vice Chancellor, University of Namibia; President, Council of the Pan African University
13.20 – 13.30: Closing musical performnce
13.30 – 14.30: Lunch