The Association of African Universities (AAU) has unveiled an ambitious six-year strategic plan, delineating 11 key focal areas to steer its operations. This plan places a strong emphasis on enhancing research, expanding access to higher education, fostering mobility, and addressing new and emerging challenges in the academic landscape. The strategy also prioritizes capacity-building, empowerment, and the growth of the African Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACEs) model, along with nurturing the AAU Diaspora Programme.
The document outlines a comprehensive approach to revitalizing continental initiatives, enhancing collaborations, and expanding networking opportunities. A significant part of this effort is dedicated to strengthening the Africa Research, Innovation, and Development Network (AFRID), which was established in 2023 to champion research across the continent. The AAU also aims to bolster its public outreach through its television and broadcasting services.
Strengthening Research
In its commitment to strengthening research, the AAU aims to position higher education as a cornerstone of science, technology, and innovation in Africa. This involves cultivating a new generation of researchers, with a particular focus on climate change and the support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The AAU plans to balance this emphasis by also promoting the arts, social sciences, and languages. The concept of knowledge diplomacy will be central to these efforts, as will initiatives aimed at “greening” higher education and fostering engaged universities.
Enhancing Mobility and Access
One of the top priorities in the new strategic plan is increasing access to higher education and promoting mobility across the continent. This includes the promotion of staff exchange programs, strengthening relationships among higher education stakeholders, and encouraging youth mobility schemes. Staff mobility and study-in-Africa programs are also key components. The AAU aims to showcase Africa’s excellent universities to attract international students and reduce the outflow of African students to other continents.
Responding to Emerging Issues
The AAU recognizes the importance of adapting to emerging issues, particularly in the realm of new technologies. The strategic plan emphasizes the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technological advancements into teaching and learning. There will be a renewed focus on arts, culture, and social sciences, as well as the promotion of African languages within the educational system.
Leadership and Management
Improving leadership and management within universities is another critical area of focus. The AAU plans to offer capacity-building initiatives for staff, including librarians, registrars, bursars, and other support personnel. Additionally, webinars aimed at enhancing ICT and digital skills, academia-industry linkages, and regional integration will be prioritized under the capacity-building and empowerment component. The AAU is committed to promoting regional integration and South-South collaborations, ensuring that African universities can connect with global institutions and participate in programs led by virtual diaspora faculties.
Communication and Outreach
Effective communication is a central pillar of the new strategic plan. The AAU intends to launch AAU TV programs and news, strengthen its social media presence, and revamp its website. Under the AFRID platform, the AAU will work to enhance networking among African researchers, brand African universities with specialized research areas, and promote a viable study-in-Africa program.
Strategic Result Areas
The strategic plan outlines five overarching result areas. These include creating a favorable higher education policy environment supported by evidence-based advocacy, strengthening the capacities of member universities, and harmonizing curricula to enhance inter-institutional collaboration, networking, and competitiveness. Another key goal is to advance research excellence and management as a mechanism for impacting Africa’s development.
Alignment with Continental Goals
This strategic plan is designed to catalyze higher education’s contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. These goals emphasize inclusive growth, good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice, the rule of law, and people-driven development that unleashes the potential of women and youth. The AAU’s strategy is directly aligned with the continental education strategy for Africa, ensuring that it remains relevant and responsive to the needs of the region.
Evaluation and Adaptation
The AAU has built in a mechanism for continuous evaluation of the strategic plan. A mid-term evaluation will be conducted in 2027 to assess the effectiveness of the strategies and make necessary adjustments. A comprehensive final evaluation at the end of the six-year period will measure the success of the plan in achieving its anticipated outputs and outcomes, and will document lessons learned.
Stakeholder Engagement
The strategic plan was developed through a participatory approach that involved multiple consultations with stakeholders across various levels. Surveys in four international languages spoken in Africa were conducted, involving vice-chancellors, development partners, students, and other higher education stakeholders. The AAU expects stakeholders to support its mission to raise academic excellence and research in Africa, foster collaborations, and create partnership opportunities for faculty, staff, and students.
The AAU also anticipates that stakeholders such as industry partners will engage in collaborative research and act as a talent pipeline, contributing to workforce development. Government agencies are expected to support policy-relevant research and knowledge-led economic growth, while community organizations will be engaged for higher social impact. Accreditation bodies and professional associations will play roles in ensuring quality assurance, standards, and professional development.
This strategic plan represents a bold and comprehensive effort by the AAU to position African higher education as a global leader, while addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the continent.
The African Research (AR) Index is a comprehensive scholarly directory and database focused explicitly on journal publishers that publish and disseminate African research.
