University of NamibiaThe Association of African Universities (AAU) announced in March that the 22nd Conference of Rectors, Vice-Chancellors and Presidents of African Universities (COREVIP) will be held in Namibia from 4-7 July 2023. This biennial event is an assembly of the chief executive officers of AAU member institutions, who come together to discuss common concerns and priorities for the development of higher education in member institutions across the continent.
This year's conference will be held under the theme "Advancing Excellence in African Higher Education", with a focus on doctoral education, institutional differentiation, partnerships and cooperation. Discussions will also include internationalisation, university-industry linkages, funding and financing, and the role of intellectual diaspora.
The conference will bring together the leadership of higher education institutions, as well as senior members of the university community, higher education policymakers, researchers, development partners, funding agencies and other stakeholders from Africa and beyond.
Commenting on the conference, the Secretary General of the AAU, Professor Olusola Oyewole, said that the 22nd COREVIP provides an unparalleled learning and networking platform to its participants. He added that it is a golden opportunity for higher education stakeholders to expand their knowledge base, identify new frameworks and strategies, discover innovative approaches, contribute to shaping Africa's higher education sector and form new relationships, while strengthening existing ones.
Professor Kamwi Matengu, vice-chancellor of the University of Namibia and president of the council of the Pan-African University, said that the conference will endeavour to engage all key stakeholders and advocate for evidence-based and innovative approaches that address real problems confronting the continent.
He added that in a globally competitive and digital age where research and innovation are critical for economic and social advancement, the 22nd COREVIP will unravel the barriers that inhibit knowledge dissemination, networking and collaboration, while ensuring that higher education institutions in Africa are well placed to play a pivotal role as hubs for research excellence.
The COREVIP conference acts as a mid-term forum for taking stock of the implementation of the decisions of the previous AAU General Conference and recommending corrective actions. The recommendations are primarily made to members, but also to the governing board of the association, as well as to the secretariat.
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Article by Jed Mwangi
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