Latest news with #16thQuadrennialGeneralConference
Morocco World
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
AAU Conference Champions Higher Education as Key to Africa's Future at UM6P
Rabat – The 16th Quadrennial General Conference of the Association of African Universities (AAU) opened today, July 21, 2025, at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University ( UM6P ) in Rabat. Held every four years, this flagship event serves as the AAU's highest decision-making forum, bringing together key stakeholders in African higher education to confront critical challenges and shape collaborative strategies towards the continent's future development and education. AAU General Conference Under the theme 'Shaping the Future of Higher Education for Innovation and Sustainable Development in Africa,' the conference convenes university leaders, researchers, policymakers, students, and industry partners for plenary sessions, thematic panels, strategic workshops, and exhibitions. Discussions focus on pressing issues such as water scarcity, renewable energy, digitalization, cybersecurity, and the humanities. The official opening ceremony featured a speech by Azzedine El Midaoui, Morocco's Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, who expressed pride in opening the conference. In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), El Midaoui said the conference reflects King Mohammed VI's vision to bolster Morocco's leadership and foster closer collaboration with African countries in higher education . 'This conference will address and discuss a range of themes and topics across education, research, and innovation. The main subjects include water scarcity, fertilizers, renewable energy, digitalization, cybersecurity, the humanities, and many others. I believe it is a great opportunity to strengthen these areas further,' he stated to MWN. 16th AAU General Conference Rachid Serraj, Director of the Africa Initiative at UM6P, highlighted the university's steadfast commitment to Africa, guided by the vision of King Mohammed VI, which calls for advancing development in both Morocco and the wider continent. ' Africa today is facing many challenges, including demographic growth, climate change, poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. If we look at the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda, Africa still lags behind in achieving them. Our work focuses on finding solutions to address these challenges, and this conference includes discussions on all these themes,' Serraj told MWN. He also touched upon the historic significance of the AAU, noting that it was founded in Rabat in 1967 with just 34 member universities. Today, the association has grown to encompass over 450 universities across the continent. Olusola Bandele Oyewole, Secretary General of the AAU, praised Morocco's historic role as the birthplace of the association and expressed deep appreciation for King Mohammed VI's unwavering support of higher education and innovation in Africa. 'We are very grateful to the King of Morocco for his great support and motivation for higher education and innovation in Africa,' he said, emphasizing the crucial role of universities in empowering Africa's growing youth population to contribute to the continent's development. The conference brings together a diverse group of participants — including university leaders, researchers, youth organizations, development partners, and private-sector actors — for a rich program of discussions aimed at advancing innovation and sustainable development through higher education across Africa. Tags: AAU conferenceEl MidaouiHigher EducationUM6P
Morocco World
27-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
UM6P Host Association of African Universities' 16th Quadrennial Conference
Rabat – The Association of African Universities (AAU) will organize its 16th Quadrennial General Conference at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) in Rabat from July 21-25. Held every four years, the conference is the association's premier gathering and its highest decision-making body. It shapes policies and strategies for African higher education, UM6P said in a statement today. The statement concluded by urging those interested to visit the conference website for registration. The conference will convene key stakeholders to discuss several challenges affecting African higher education while promoting sustainable growth and innovations to meet the continent's socio-economic needs. Professor Olusola Oyewole, Secretary General of the AAU, said the quadrennial conferences promise to be a dynamic and engaging event. This year's conference will feature different activities — notably scientific sessions, exhibitions, an award session, and panel discussions — that will be coordinated by partner institutions, he noted. 'These sessions will provide a platform for stakeholders to share innovative insights, practical solutions, and best practices,' Professor Oyewole added, stressing that the AAU invites all individuals and institutions with aligned visions and interests in advancing higher education in Africa to participate in this momentous event.' Rachid Serraj, a professor and director of the Africa Initiative at UM6P, also commented and expressed satisfaction with hosting the symposium that reflects UM6P's 'shared commitment to advancing higher education in Africa' and to addressing challenges through collaboration and innovation on the continent. One of the event's key objectives is to strengthen research and innovation ecosystems through funding and project support, as well as to integrate Sustainable Development Goals into African curricula. Its sub-themes will notably tackle the role of AI and technology in education, curriculum re-engineering, and credit transfer systems. According to Professor Oyewole, 'these objectives will be explored through nine sub-themes covering a broad spectrum of issues such as policy, governance, and advocacy for higher education transformation.'
