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Leading lights in Africa’s higher education honoured by the Association of African Universities
July 21, 2025
The 16th General Conference of the Association of African Universities (AAU) featured a dynamic exhibition showcasing the latest innovations, research breakthroughs, and strategic partnerships of Africa’s premier universities and partner institutions. Held at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) exhibition pavilion, the exhibition served as a vibrant centerpiece of the conference, highlighting the diversity of African academic excellence and the continent’s commitment to innovation and collaboration.
Rows of colorful, elegantly decorated booths transformed the university’s central hall into a living gallery. From Ghana to South Africa, Ethiopia to Tunisia, universities brought to life the diversity of African academic excellence. The exhibition was as much about cultural pride as it was about innovation—featuring prototypes based on indigenous knowledge, renewable energy solutions, digital learning platforms, brochures of flagship graduate programs, and looping documentaries capturing vibrant campus life and success stories.
“It’s inspiring,” said Ziblim Alhassan, a delegate from the University for Development Studies, Ghana. “You walk around the exhibition area and realize that Africa is not behind. We’re just not telling our stories enough. This exhibition is changing that.”
“We have come here not only to exhibit but to connect,” said one participant from Nigeria. “This is an opportunity for us to showcase what we do, but also to see what others are also doing across the continent, learn from them, and collaborate with them.”
The booths brimmed with interactive displays—visitors could learn about students turning waste into clean energy, explore new curriculum offerings, and engage with virtual tools used in teaching, learning, and research. The atmosphere was electric, conversations sparked spontaneously, ideas were exchanged easily, and networks were forged effortlessly, with old and new ones rekindled.
Development agencies and corporate partners added another layer to the showcase. Partners’ booths offered resources on regional policy frameworks and educational initiatives, while other partners highlighted investments in infrastructure, capacity building, and digital transformation.
In the midst of plenary sessions and panel discussions, the exhibition offered attendees a refreshing change of space—a space to reflect, connect, and witness innovation in action.
As the conference unfolded, the exhibition remained its beating heart—drawing delegates in, sparking deliberations, and showing the world that African universities are not just passively adopting global trends and adapting to them but are actively leading their own transformation.
In every handshake, poster, and proud smile, at AAU’s General Conference Exhibition in Morocco, one message rang clear: The future of African higher education isn’t just being discussed in the conference halls; it’s being displayed, boldly and beautifully, booth by booth, at the exhibition center.
Exhibitors Profiles – Access the profiles of exhibitors at the AAU General Conference from page 60 –68 of the Conference Brochure – https://repository.aau.org/index.php/s/Lp2tKmTqm92pGzJ
