University chiefs to tackle relevance of higher education

May 16, 2015

RELEVANCE of higher education in a globalized world will be at the centre of the conference that will bring together distinguished scholars across the globe

By John Eremu

 

RELEVANCE of higher education in a globalized world will be at the centre of the conference that will bring together distinguished scholars across the globe in the Rwandan capital, Kigali next month.

 

The four-day Conference of Rectors, Vice Chancellors and Presidents of African Universities (COREVIP) is organised by the Association of African Universities (AAU), in collaboration with the Rwandan Ministry of Education and the University of Rwanda. It will take place at the Serena Hotel in Kigali from June 2-5.

 

The conference on the theme "Internationalisation of Higher Education in Africa" will discuss topical issues including promoting the quality of higher education in Africa; promoting mobility and credit transfer across the continent and improving the relevance of higher education in a globalised world.

 

It will also tackle the promotion of new modes of teaching and learning including e-Learning and Distance Learning to enhance learning outcomes, skills and competences as well as graduate employability, AAU said in a statement. 

 

“The over 250 expected participants of the COREVIP will comprise executive heads of AAU member institutions, top-notched African scholars, representative of student bodies, as well as representatives of sub-regional, regional and international organisations,” said the statement from AAU Secretary General Prof. Etienne Ehouan Ehile.

 

“Also in attendance will be donor and development agencies that partner with the AAU in carrying out its mandate of improving the quality of higher education in Africa. With internationalisation of African Higher Education requiring a concerted and well-synchronised efforts from all key players, ministers of higher education and other higher education policy think tanks will also partake in this august conference,” added Ehile.

 

AAU is an international non-governmental organization established in 1967 to promote cooperation among African higher institutions of learning and the international academic community. It currently has a membership of 320 institutions with its headquarters in Accra, Ghana.

 

The member institutions from Uganda are Makerere University, Busitema University, and Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala International University, Uganda Christian University, Uganda Martyrs University and Uganda Management Institute (UMI). Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Sentamu represents the Eastern Africa region of the association governing board.

 

COREVIP is an assembly of chief executive officers of member institutions or their representatives. It meets every two years with the purpose of collectively examining themes identified as common concerns and priorities for the development of higher education in member institutions. The Kigali conference is a follow up of the one held in the Libreville, Gabon two years ago. UMI director Dr. James Nkata and Muni University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Christine Dranzoa are among those who have confirmed attendance of the Kigali COREVIP.

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