KCA University's VC Prof Isaiah Wakindiki and AAU Secretary-General Prof Olusola Oyewole signing the MOU

The Association of African Universities (AAU) and KCA University have formally launched preparations for the 24th Conference of Rectors, Vice-Chancellors and Presidents of African Universities (COREVIP 2027), setting the stage for one of the continent’s most significant higher education convenings in recent years.

The milestone follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions, formalising a partnership that will guide the planning and delivery of the conference, scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 20–23 July 2027.

The MoU was signed by AAU Secretary-General Olusola Bandele Oyewole and KCA University Vice-Chancellor Isaiah I. C. Wakindiki, marking the official start of joint preparations for the event.

COREVIP 2027 carries added significance as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the AAU, a milestone that reflects six decades of work in strengthening African higher education systems through advocacy, capacity building, quality assurance, and institutional collaboration. Since its establishment in 1967, the AAU has played a central role in shaping policy dialogue and fostering cooperation among universities across the continent.

The upcoming conference will be held under the theme “Repositioning African Universities for Resilience, Relevance, and Impact,” reflecting growing pressure on higher education institutions to respond more directly to Africa’s development priorities, including youth employment, digital transformation, and knowledge-driven economic growth.

Rather than functioning solely as a traditional academic gathering, COREVIP 2027 is being positioned as a strategic platform for evaluating how African universities can translate research and policy discussions into measurable institutional and societal outcomes. This includes a stronger emphasis on implementation, performance tracking, and evidence-based reforms across higher education systems.

The conference is expected to bring together university leaders, policymakers, researchers, development partners, and private sector actors from across Africa and beyond, reinforcing its role as one of the continent’s most influential higher education forums.

For AAU, the partnership with KCA University also highlights Kenya’s growing visibility as a regional hub for higher education innovation and international academic engagement. It reflects a broader effort to decentralise continental academic leadership while strengthening the role of national institutions in shaping Africa-wide agendas.

As preparations begin, AAU has called on universities and stakeholders across its membership network to actively participate in shaping the conference agenda, underscoring the need for collective action in repositioning African universities for greater relevance and impact.

Photo courtesy: AAU

Article by Jed Mwangi

https://aau.org/2026/05/aau-and-kca-university-partner-to-host-corevip-2027-and-aau60-celebration/