International Day of Education 2026 Webinar
2026-01-23 11:00 - 13:00 UTC | Association of African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, Accra, 233, Ghana
Theme: The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education: An African Imperative
Host: Association of African Universities (AAU)
Knowledge Partner: Afrobarometer
Date: January 23, 2026, | Time: 11:00 – 13:00 GMT | Format: Virtual

Rationale and Background

The Association of African Universities (AAU), representing over 450 member institutions, will host a pivotal webinar to mark the 2026 International Day of Education. This event directly engages with UNESCO’s global theme, “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education”.
Africa’s defining demographic reality – the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, with over 400 million young people poised to enter the workforce in the coming decades, presents an unprecedented opportunity and imperative for development. However, despite improved access to education, systemic gaps persist. Data indicates that 45% of African youth (18-25) are unemployed, citing a lack of relevant skills and experience, while civic engagement is declining. This underscores a critical disconnect between education systems and the realities of youth aspiration, employability, and agency.
Concurrently, the digital transformation of education offers both a promise and peril. While digital tools can revolutionize learning, disparities in access risk entrenching inequality, and passive consumption of external platforms threatens African knowledge sovereignty. This webinar is therefore a strategic intervention. It moves beyond diagnosis to action, positing that African youth must be active architects, not just beneficiaries, of their educational future. It aligns with AAU’s core mission to advance quality, relevant higher education and the continental agenda for socio-economic transformation.
Webinar Objectives:

To present Afrobarometer’s data on youth education, employment, and civic engagement as an evidence base for action.
To facilitate a solutions-oriented, intergenerational dialogue between youth, educators, policymakers, and industry.
To identify concrete, actionable pathways for integrating youth voice into policy, curriculum development, and institutional governance.
To formulate clear recommendations for stakeholders to foster inclusive, youth-centric education ecosystems.

Methodology, Format, and Agenda

The webinar will employ a 2-hour, virtual format to ensure broad, continental accessibility while fostering focused, interactive discussion. The flow is designed to progress from context-setting through a keynote presentation, to data insights, then to practical dialogue, concluding with a clear call to action.
Proposed Agenda

Time (GMT)
Session
Key Participants & Content Focus

11:00 – 11:10
Opening Session: A Continental Imperative
Welcome by AAU & Afrobarometer representatives Contextualising the theme within Africa’s demographic and developmental agenda

11:10 – 11:30
Keynote: Reimagining Education with Youth as Architects
Prof. Olusola B. Oyewole, AAU Secretary-General. Sets vision for youth-led innovation, digital justice, and transformative education.

11:30 – 11:50
Data Spotlight: The Voice of African Youth
Presentation of key findings on education, employment, digital access, and civic attitudes, grounding discussion in evidence – Afrobarometer

11:50 – 12:30
High Level Panel: Blueprints for Co-Creation
Moderated dialogue exploring models for curriculum reform, governance inclusion, and skills for the future.

12:30 -12:50
Question and Answer Session
Participants contributions to the discussions and engagement session

12:50 – 1:00
Official Closing & Call to Action: The AAU Roadmap
Presentation of consolidated recommendations and AAU’s actionable frameworks for stakeholder commitment.

Target Stakeholders and Partners

Primary Partners:

Lead Organizer: Association of African Universities (AAU)
Knowledge Partner: Afrobarometer

Target Audience:
This event is designed for a multi-sectoral, intergenerational audience crucial for systemic change:

University Leadership: Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, and Deans from AAU’s network, who can implement institutional reforms.
Students & Youth Leaders: Representatives from national student unions and youth innovation hubs, whose direct experience is vital for co-creation.
Policy Makers: Officials from Ministries of Education, Youth, ICT, and the African Union Commission, who shape the enabling policy environment.
Development & Private Partners: Representatives from development agencies, and the EdTech/telecommunications sector, who provide essential resources and partnership.

Expected Outcomes and Impact

The webinar is designed to yield tangible outputs that extend beyond the event itself:

A Policy Brief: A concise, public document summarizing the data insights and panel recommendations for universities and governments.
Strengthened Advocacy & Network: An amplified continental conversation using official hashtags (#EducationDay, #PowerOfYouth) and the activation of a community of practice under the AAU to champion this agenda.
Actionable Roadmap: Clear next steps aligned with AAU’s strategic frameworks, to guide post-webinar action.

Logistical Details

Date & Time: January 23, 2026, 11:00 – 13: GMT.
Platform: Primary virtual platform via Zoom.
Promotion: Through AAU channels (website, newsletter, social media @AAU_67) and partners’ networks (Afrobarometer).
Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ci36Qdk1S8uCtoAUQT-YKg

References

UNESCO. (2026). *International Day of Education 2026 global event: The power of youth in co-creating education*. UNESCO. Retrieved from https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/international-day-education-2026-global-event-power-youth-co-creating-education]
Afrobarometer. (2023) Africa’s youth: More educated, less employed, still unheard in policy and development. Afrobarometer. Retrieved from https://www.afrobarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AD734-PAP3-Africas-youth-More-educated-less-employed-still-unheard-Afrobarometer-13nov23.pdf
Association of African Universities (AAU). (2025, November 4). AAU Advocates for Digital Justice at Global Higher Education Forum in China. AAU. Retrieved from https://aau.org/2025/11/aau-advocates-for-digital-justice-at-global-higher-education-forum-in-china/]
UNESCO. (2026, January 9). How you can join the International Day of Education 2026. UNESCO. Retrieved from https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/how-you-can-join-international-day-education-2026]
United Nations. (n.d.). International Day of Education. United Nations. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/observances/education-day]
Association of African Universities (AAU). (2025, July 25). Press Release – AAU 16th General Conference Charts Bold Future for African Higher Education. AAU. Retrieved from https://aau.org/2025/07/press-release-aau-16th-general-conference-charts-bold-future-for-african-higher-education/]

2nd Edition of the Positioning Your University for Global Visibility Workshop
2026-01-27 08:00 - 2026-01-29 17:00 | Lusaka, Zambia, Zambia
Date: 27th – 29th January 2026

Venue: Lusaka, Zambia

Registration fee: US$700 per person for participants from AAU member institutions and US$800 per person for those from non-AAU member institutions.

To confirm your participation, kindly register by 19th December 2025 via this link https://indico.aau.org/event/12/

The Power of Preprints in Medicine and Healthcare: Navigating Medical Research & Leveraging Preprints for Impact
2026-02-04 08:00 - 17:00
The Power of Preprints in Medicine and Healthcare: Navigating Medical Research & Leveraging Preprints for Impact
PMA/AAU TV

Accelerating Medical Research in Africa
2026-02-04 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
The first series of the AAU – Taylor & Francis webinar series – “Accelerating Medical Research in Africa.”.

The first session is tailored for researchers in medicine and healthcare and explores how preprints are accelerating medical and healthcare research across Sub-Saharan Africa through faster dissemination, greater visibility, and global collaboration. The session will include the following:

Understanding preprints and their role in medical and healthcare research
Using Open Research Africa and VeriXiv to share and amplify your work
Debunking common preprint myths and live Q&A

Webinar Details
Date: Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Time: 11:00 AM- 12:30 PM (GMT)
Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7347793669106158170

AI & Higher Education: Capabilities, Use Cases and Institutional Strategies
2026-02-12 08:00 - 2026-03-12 17:00
AI & Higher Education: Capabilities, Use Cases and Institutional Strategies
PMA/AAU TV

Vice Chancellors Forum
2026-02-13 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-27 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-13 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Association of African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, Accra, 233, Ghana
Vice Chancellors Forum
PMA/AAU TV

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Community of Practice (COP)
2026-02-20 08:00 - 17:00
Date: Friday, 20th February, 2026

Time: 12:00 GMT

Description: The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Community of Practice (COP), following its successful kick-off meeting, has convened a series of technical and peer-learning discussions aimed at generating evidence-based insights to inform the development of a comprehensive policy brief on strengthening entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems.
These engagements have brought together stakeholders from academia, the private sector, incubators and innovation hubs, government institutions, and development partners to share practical experiences, identify systemic gaps, and highlight scalable solutions that support inclusive and sustainable innovation-driven growth.
This final webinar marks a key milestone of the COP process and will serve as a platform to validate key findings, consolidate stakeholder perspectives, and refine priority recommendations that will feed into the final policy brief. The session will focus on translating dialogue into actionable policy guidance that supports stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration, knowledge exchange, and ecosystem strengthening across regions.
The webinar will bring together COP members, technical experts, and ecosystem actors to ensure the policy brief reflects practical realities, emerging trends, and strategic opportunities within entrepreneurship and innovation systems.

Navigating Medical Publishing: Best Practices in Ethics, Data Sharing, and Journal Selection
2026-02-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Association of African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, Accra, 233, Ghana
Navigating Medical Publishing: Best Practices in Ethics, Data Sharing, and Journal Selection
PMA/AAU TV

Navigating Medical Publishing: Best Practices in Ethics and Data Sharing
2026-02-24 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
Session Details:
Date: Wednesday, 24 February 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (GMT)
Registration Link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2629682621691567711?source=aau

Leveraging AI and Technology in Medical Research Ethical and Practical Approaches
2026-03-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Association of African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, Accra, 233, Ghana
Leveraging AI and Technology in Medical Research Ethical and Practical Approaches
PMA

Students' Leadership Workshop
2026-03-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Association of African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, Accra, 233, Ghana
Students’ Leadership Workshop
AAU Secretariat, Accra
AAU TV

AAU International Women's Day 2026 Commemoration
2026-03-25 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
EMPOWERING AFRICAN WOMEN LEADERS TO TRANSFORM HIGHER EDUCATION: A Strategic Imperative for Institutional Excellence and Continental Development

Event: AAU International Women’s Day 2026 Commemoration
Date: 25th March 2026 | Duration: 2 Hours
Time: 11:00 GMT – 13:00 GMT
Theme: Give to Gain: Empowering African Women Leaders to Transform Higher Education
Format: High-Level Keynote Address followed by Expert Panel Discussion
Registration: Open to all higher education stakeholders via online link

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

The Association of African Universities (AAU) cordially invites all higher education stakeholders – from Vice-Chancellors and university executives to faculty members, administrative staff, researchers, students, and development partners – to its 2026 International Women’s Day commemoration under the theme: “Give to Gain: Empowering African Women Leaders to Transform Higher Education.” This high-level convening transcends celebratory rhetoric to address a fundamental strategic question: How can African higher education institutions deliberately invest in women’s leadership as a catalyst for institutional transformation, research excellence, and continental development?
Scheduled for two hours on 25th March 2026, the event will feature a thought-provoking keynote address by a distinguished African woman university leader, followed by a dynamic panel discussion with prominent women Vice-Chancellors and senior academics from across the continent. The format is deliberately designed to generate actionable insights and institutional commitments that will shape the trajectory of gender-transformative leadership in African higher education. Registration is open to all interested stakeholders via this online link, reflecting the AAU’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and broad-based engagement in advancing women’s leadership.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT: THE IMPERATIVE FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION

African higher education stands at a critical juncture in the continent’s development trajectory. As African Union Member States accelerate toward Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, universities must function as powerful engines of innovation, knowledge production, and transformative leadership capable of addressing the continent’s most pressing challenges. Yet the persistent underrepresentation of women in academic leadership represents not merely an equity concern requiring redress, but a significant and measurable drag on institutional performance, research productivity, and continental potential that African nations can ill afford. This reality affects every member of the university community – from governing council members to junior researchers, from finance officers to student leaders – and therefore demands the engagement of all stakeholders in crafting and implementing solutions.
The theme “Give to Gain” encapsulates a powerful statement for university leaders, governing councils, development partners, and indeed all members of the university community. Strategic investment in women’s leadership development – through targeted mentorship programmes, equitable funding mechanisms for research and advanced training, deliberate policy reforms to recruitment and promotion processes, family-friendly institutional policies, sustained leadership development initiatives, and inclusive institutional cultures – yields measurable and substantial returns in institutional excellence, research productivity, and developmental impact. When universities give through intentional investment in women’s advancement, they gain stronger governance systems characterized by more robust deliberation and better decisions. They gain more innovative research enterprises producing scholarship that addresses the full range of societal challenges. They gain more effective institutional leadership reflecting the diversity of their academic communities, and they gain enhanced reputation and legitimacy as institutions genuinely committed to excellence and equity in equal measure.
Contemporary research across diverse global contexts establishes unequivocally that gender-diverse leadership correlates with superior institutional outcomes. When women are adequately represented in senior academic ranks, university executive positions, and governance structures, institutions demonstrate enhanced performance across multiple dimensions. Inclusive leadership teams bring broader perspectives to complex problem-solving, challenge groupthink in strategic decision-making, and more accurately reflect the student populations they serve. In the research domain, diverse teams produce more innovative scholarship with greater citation impact and broader societal relevance, while women’s leadership in academia positively influences student outcomes, particularly for female students who benefit from visible role models and intentional mentorship, thereby strengthening the entire educational pipeline from undergraduate enrolment through doctoral completion and into academic careers.

OVERARCHING OBJECTIVES

This high-level commemoration is designed to achieve five interconnected strategic objectives that collectively advance the AAU’s mission of promoting excellence and collaboration in African higher education while catalyzing tangible progress toward gender-transformative leadership across the continent:
First, Thought Leadership and Agenda Setting: The event will position the Association of African Universities and its member institutions at the forefront of global discourse on gender-transformative leadership in higher education. By convening the continent’s most distinguished university leaders alongside faculty, staff, students, and partners around evidence-based dialogue, the AAU signals that women’s leadership advancement is not a peripheral concern but a core strategic priority for institutional excellence and continental development requiring the engagement of all stakeholders.
Second, Evidence-Based Dialogue and Knowledge Exchange: The conversation will be deliberately elevated from advocacy and aspiration to rigorous examination of evidence: what interventions have proven effective in advancing women’s leadership across diverse African contexts, why they work, under what conditions, and at what cost. Participants from all corners of the university community will share institutional experiences, learn from successes and failures across the continent, and develop nuanced understanding of the pathways to meaningful change.
Third, Institutional Commitment and Accountability: A central objective is securing concrete policy commitments from participating Vice-Chancellors and university leaders toward gender-responsive leadership development within their institutions, while also engaging faculty, staff, and students in holding their institutions accountable for progress. These commitments may take various forms including specific targets for women’s representation in senior roles, reforms to recruitment and promotion processes, establishment of mentorship programmes, allocation of dedicated resources, family-friendly policy reforms, or public statements of institutional priority.
Fourth, Partnership Mobilization and Resource Catalysis: The convening will catalyse new funding partnerships and collaborative initiatives supporting women scholars and leaders across the continent. By bringing the full range of higher education stakeholders together with development partners, philanthropic foundations, and international funders in structured dialogue, the event creates conditions for meaningful partnership formation that can support continental-scale initiatives.
Fifth, Network Strengthening and Community Building: The event will deepen the continental network of women leaders and their allies across all institutional roles through structured engagement and planned follow-up action, sustaining ongoing collaboration, mentorship, and mutual support long after the event concludes.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Recognizing the demanding schedules of higher education stakeholders and the importance of broad-based engagement, the event is designed for maximum intellectual impact and meaningful participation within a compressed but substantive timeframe. All sessions will be delivered virtually with interactive features enabling broad participation.

Time
Session
Duration
Purpose and Content

0-10 mins
Welcome and Strategic Framing
10 minutes
Official welcome by AAU Senior Leadership setting the strategic context for the conversation

10-35 mins
Keynote Address
25 minutes
Delivered by a distinguished African woman university leader of international standing, focusing on “The Leadership Imperative: Why Women’s Advancement is Non-Negotiable for Institutional Excellence”

35-80 mins
High-Level Panel Discussion
45 minutes
Moderated by a senior academic with deep expertise in gender and higher education policy, featuring 3-4 distinguished women Vice-Chancellors/ senior university leaders from diverse African regions

80-105 mins
Open Dialogue and Audience Engagement
25 minutes
Structured engagement with all participants through virtual platforms, enabling stakeholders to contribute perspectives and share institutional experiences

105-120 mins
Closing Remarks and Call to Action
15 minutes
Synthesis of key insights, announcement of follow-up mechanisms and closing by AAU leadership

TARGET AUDIENCE

In keeping with the AAU’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and broad-based engagement in advancing women’s leadership, this event welcomes all higher education stakeholders who share an interest in creating more equitable, excellent, and transformative African universities. The diversity of perspectives and experiences represented will enrich the dialogue and strengthen collective capacity for transformative action.
Invited participants include:

Vice-Chancellors and University Presidents
Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, and Senior Administrators
Deans, Heads of Department, and Academic Managers
Faculty Members and Academic Researchers
Administrative and Professional Staff
Early-Career Academics and Postdoctoral Researchers
Graduate and Undergraduate Students
Government and Ministry Officials
Development Partners and International Funders
Philanthropic Foundations
Civil Society Organizations and NGOs
Media and Communications Professionals
Male Allies Across All Roles
Professional Associations and Networks

This inclusive approach reflects the AAU’s understanding that transformative change requires the engagement of all members of the university community. Senior leaders cannot implement change alone; faculty members cannot create inclusive cultures in isolation; administrative staff cannot transform institutional practices without support; students cannot advocate effectively without allies; and external partners cannot invest wisely without understanding institutional realities.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

The success of this high-level convening will be measured not by the quality of the conversation alone, but by the concrete actions, institutional commitments, and measurable progress that follow. The AAU is committed to ensuring that the energy and insights generated during this event translate into sustained momentum for change across the continent.
Immediate outcomes will include documentation and dissemination of key insights, institutional commitments, and partnership opportunities through a synthesis report distributed to all registered participants and made available to the broader AAU membership. The recording of the event will be made available to all registrants, enabling those unable to attend live to benefit from the dialogue, while media coverage and social media amplification will extend the reach of the conversation beyond those who participated directly.
Long-term impact includes measurable progress in women’s representation in senior academic and governance positions across AAU member institutions, enhanced research productivity and innovation capacity through more inclusive knowledge production, stronger continental networks sustaining women’s leadership development through ongoing mentorship and collaboration, and the embedding of normative shifts recognizing women’s leadership as a strategic imperative in institutional discourse, policy frameworks, and resource allocation decisions across the continent.

REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION

All higher education stakeholders are warmly invited to participate in this important continental dialogue. Registration is open via the dedicated online link, which will be widely disseminated through AAU communications channels, member institution networks, partner organizations, and social media platforms. There is no fee for participation, reflecting the AAU’s commitment to broad-based engagement in advancing women’s leadership.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For registration, expressions of interest, partnership opportunities, or additional information, email:
commserve@aau.org with a copy to fnkrumah@aau.org

Vice Chancellors Forum
2026-04-10 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Association of African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, Accra, 233, Ghana
Vice Chancellors Forum

Association of African Universities House Trinity Avenue, Accra, Ghana

PMA/AAU TV

PMA Workshop
2026-04-21 08:00 - 17:00 | Association of African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, Accra, 233, Ghana
PMA Workshop
PMA

Strategic Financial Planning & Resource Mobilization Workshop
2026-04-22 | Nottingham, United Kingdom
Strategic Financial Planning & Resource Mobilization Workshop
Nottingham, UK
Finance Department/PMA

AfRID Renaissance Workshop 2
2026-04-28 10:00 - 17:00 | Association of African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, Accra, 233, Ghana
The Association of African Universities (AAU) announces the AfRID Renaissance Workshop 2: AfRID and the Shift toward Collaborative and Transdisciplinary Research in Africa.
The workshop will explore the emerging role of the African Research, Innovation and Development (AfRID) Network in shaping the future of science across Africa.
It will focus on the ongoing shift from fragmented, discipline-based research toward more collaborative, transdisciplinary, and impact-driven approaches to knowledge production.
The workshop will also consider the need to prioritize problem-oriented research, particularly in areas such as public health, climate change, food security, and sustainable development.
Kindly click on the link below for more information and registration:
https://aau.org/newsletters/afrid-webinar-002.html
Date: Tuesday, 28th April 2026
Time: 10:00 GMT (convert this to your local time zone)

African Academic Heritage Fair (AAHF)
2026-05-25 08:00 - 17:00 | Association of African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, Accra, 233, Ghana
The AAHF 2026 is scheduled for Monday, 25 May 2026, and will be a hybrid event (virtually and at the AAU Secretariat).
Registration Link: https://workshops.aau.org/aahf-2026.
Concept Note: AAHF CONCEPT NOTE

3rd Edition of the Positioning Your University for Global Visibility Workshop
2026-07-14 08:00 - 2026-07-17 17:00 | Nairobi, Kenya
The Association of African Universities (AAU) is inviting participation to the 3rd Edition of the Positioning Your University for Global Visibility Workshop, to be cohosted in Nairobi, Kenya by KCA University from 14th – 17th July 2026.

This workshop presents a unique opportunity for engagement among university leaders, policymakers, researchers and academic professionals committed to strengthening their institution’s global visibility and standing.

The registration fee is US$700 per person for participants from AAU member institutions and US$800 per person for those from non-AAU member institutions.

Kindly register by 29th May 2026 via this link https://indico.aau.org/e/kcau

For further inquiries, contact Ms. Comfort Afia Yeboah at cayeboah@aau.org/ partnerships@aau.org or via WhatsApp at +233 268 798 812.

Digital Transformation in Practice: From Strategy to Execution | An Executive Leadership Workshop
2026-07-20 08:00 - 2026-07-24 17:00 | Association of African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, Accra, 233, Ghana
Dates: 20th to 24th July 2026

Venue – Association of African Universities (AAU) Secretariat, Accra Ghana

1.0 Executive Summary

The Association of African Universities (AAU), in partnership with eLearnAfrica, is convening a flagship Executive Leadership Workshop to empower the key agents of change within the African higher education ecosystem. This workshop is designed for senior leaders who drive digital transformation strategy-such as Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, and Directors – as well as the faculty and administrators who leverage technology daily in teaching, research, and operations.

This immersive 4-day workshop provides a critical forum for leaders to move from awareness to action. Focusing on key pillars of modern institutional readiness – Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Essential Digital Skills – participants will develop the knowledge and practical frameworks needed to make informed decisions, manage risks, and implement effective strategies. The outcome is a tailored Institutional Action Plan and membership in a vital pan-African network, directly supporting strategic leadership in digital transformation across the continent, aligned with the AAU Strategic Plan 2024 – 2030.

[Note: This workshop additionally serves as the capstone experience for university teams from the AAU-eLearnAfrica MOOC series on these same topics, allowing for the practical application of that foundational knowledge.]

2.0 BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

Digital transformation in higher education is no longer confined to the IT department; it is a core strategic imperative that impacts teaching, research, administration, and institutional reputation. Senior leaders, faculty, and administrators are critical to its success but often lack the specific knowledge to guide strategy and implementation effectively. Key challenges include:

· Governance & Risk: A need to understand cybersecurity threats and governance to protect institutional data and comply with regulations.

· Strategic Adoption: Uncertainty about how to ethically and effectively integrate AI tools into academic and administrative workflows.

· Operational Efficiency: Gaps in leveraging digital productivity tools to streamline processes and enhance collaboration.

This workshop addresses these gaps by translating complex digital concepts into strategic leadership frameworks. It empowers participants to champion secure innovation, lead their units through a responsible digital transition, and collaborate more effectively across technical and academic domains.

3.0 WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

· Articulate the core principles of institutional cybersecurity, ethical AI adoption, and digital productivity to make informed strategic decisions.

· Develop a practical Digital Leadership Action Plan to address a key challenge within their own school, department, or administrative unit.

· Evaluate technology proposals and policies through the lenses of risk management, ethical impact, and operational sustainability.

· Connect with a continental peer network of senior leaders to facilitate ongoing collaboration and shared problem-solving.

4.0 Target Participants

This workshop is designed to convene 40–60 senior academic and administrative leaders from across the continent who are directly responsible for implementing and championing digital initiatives. The primary audience includes:

University Executives & Senior Administrators: Including Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Academic & Administration), Registrars, Deans, Directors of Academic Planning, and Heads of Administration who set strategic priorities.

Senior Faculty & Academic Leaders: Such as Heads of Department, Professors, and Directors of Research or Digital Learning who integrate technology into pedagogy and research.

Digital Strategy Champions: Administrative and academic staff in roles such as Quality Assurance Officers, Librarians, and Heads of Units who are tasked with leading specific digital transformation projects.

Participants of the AAU-eLearnAfrica MOOCs: Participants who have completed the foundational online courses and are ready to apply that knowledge at a strategic, institutional level.

Other key institutional representatives keen to learn more and engage in the process of digital transformation

This composition ensures a dynamic mix of strategic vision and operational expertise, fostering rich dialogue and the development of practical, actionable plans.

5.0 Program Structure and Methodology

The workshop employs an executive-level, experiential methodology that moves beyond theory to focus on applied strategy and collaborative problem-solving. The format is designed to foster leadership development, peer learning, and the creation of immediately actionable outputs through a blend of:

Strategic Keynotes & Leadership Dialogues

Interactive, Scenario-Based Workshops

Hands-On Application Labs

Collaborative Capstone Project Development

Structured Peer Networking & Review

DAY 1: GOVERNING CYBERSECURITY & MANAGING INSTITUTIONAL RISK

Morning Session: Strategic Risk Assessment

Executive Workshop: Conduct a threat landscape analysis using real-world African university case studies. Participant groups will perform a security risk assessment as the foundation for their Capstone Project.

Afternoon Session: Operational Resilience

Leadership Lab: Interactive sessions on defensive tools and protocols, including phishing simulation and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Focus on integrating data protection principles and incident response frameworks into project planning.

DAY 2: LEADING ETHICAL AI INTEGRATION & INNOVATION

Morning Session: AI Tools for Academic & Administrative Excellence

Applied Learning Rotation: Participants engage with curated AI tools designed for Research Enhancement, Academic Content Creation, and Institutional Data Analysis.

Afternoon Session: Frameworks for Responsible Adoption

Strategy Workshop: Develop and apply an ethical AI governance framework, evaluating tools through principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability. Synthesize AI solutions into the Capstone Project to ensure they are innovative, practical, and ethically sound.

DAY 3: DIGITAL FOUNDATIONS & STRATEGIC EXECUTION

Morning Session: Vision & Launch

Official Opening and Keynote Address on “Digital Leadership for African Higher Education.”

Launch of the Capstone Project: A collaborative, group-based initiative tackling a pressing institutional challenge (e.g., enhancing student digital services, optimizing administrative workflows).

Afternoon Session: Advanced Digital Fluency

DAY 4: FROM PLAN TO ACTION & BUILDING SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP

Morning Session: Capstone Project Presentations & Strategic Peer Review

Groups present their integrated solutions to a panel and peers, fostering a collaborative review and refinement process.

Afternoon Session: Institutional Roadmapping & Network Launch

Action Planning Workshop: Translate Capstone Project insights into a personalized 12-Month Digital Transformation Action Plan for each participant’s institution.

Formal launch of the AAU Digital Leaders Network.

Certificate Award Ceremony

6.0 Key Outputs and Outcomes

Outputs
Outcomes

Capstone Project Portfolio: 15-20 group case studies solving real institutional challenges.
Enhanced Institutional Capacity: Staff return with actionable plans and proven prototypes.

Draft Digital Transformation Action Plans: Personalized 12-month roadmaps for each participant’s institution.
Improved Cybersecurity Posture: Practical skills and policies to mitigate institutional risk.

AAU Digital Leaders Network: A launched, active community of practice.
Accelerated, Ethical AI Adoption: Readiness to implement AI tools with appropriate safeguards.

Joint AAU-eLearnAfrica Certificates of completion.
Strengthened Continental Collaboration: A sustainable network for peer learning and South-South cooperation.

7.0 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Sustainability

Pre-/Post-Workshop Surveys: Measuring growth in knowledge, confidence, and strategic clarity.

Action Plan Tracking: Follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months via the Digital Leaders Network to monitor implementation progress.

Success Metrics: Number of action plans initiated, tools adopted, policies influenced, and ongoing engagement in the network.

Sustainability: The workshop model and network are designed to be replicated annually, with future cycles focusing on new thematic areas (e.g., data management, digital leadership).

8.0 Workshop Fees

$400 for all participants

Registration covers the conference package including training materials, certificates, tea/coffee, and lunches for the four-day workshop. Participants will be responsible for their own dinners and accommodation.

BANK DETAILS
INTERNATIONAL BANK TRANSFER (ALL OTHER COUNTRIES)
Account Name: Association of African Universities
Bank Name: Standard Chartered Bank, High Street Branch, Accra, Ghana
Acc N#: 8700202448801
Swift Code: SCBLGHAC
ONLINE PAYMENT DETAILS:
https://pay.aau.org
GHANA CEDI ACCOUNT (GHANA ONLY)
Account Name: Association of African Universities
Name of Bank: Standard Chartered Bank, High Street Branch, Accra Acc N#: 0100100581500
Swift Code: SCBLGHAC

GHANA DOLLAR ACCOUNT (GHANA ONLY)
Account Name: Association of African Universities
Name of Bank: Standard Chartered Bank, High Street Branch, Accra Acc N#: 870-150-244-8800
Swift Code: SCBLGHAC

Payment deadline is 26th June 2026.

9.0 Conclusion

This integrated workshop is the critical lever to transform online learning into on-the-ground impact. It empowers the staff who are the engines of African universities with the skills, tools, peer connections, and strategic plans needed to lead their institutions through a responsible and effective digital transformation.

Payment link: https://pay.aau.org/digital-empowerment-moocs

Registration form for the in-person workshop – AAU DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT MOOCs- IN PERSON SESSION

WORKING LANGUAGE
The workshop will be conducted in English only.

VISA PROCESSING
The Association of African Universities will present delegates with invitation letters, after registration, to facilitate their application of visas at any Ghana Embassy or Consulate in their home countries. Delegates from the ECOWAS region countries do not need a visa to enter Ghana.

RECOMMENDED HOTEL(S)/GUEST HOUSES:
Generally, participants are advised to lodge at hotels in Accra, specifically in East-Legon and its close environs. The AAU logistics team for the workshop remain available to support with hotel bookings. Below are some hotels for consideration:

MJ GRAND HOTEL
AH HOTEL
TOMREIK HOTEL

A BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE AAU

The Association of African Universities (AAU) founded in 1967 with an initial membership of 34 universities, currently has more than 400 member institutions spread across 46 African countries. The Association represents the voice of higher education in Africa and draws its membership from all five sub-regions of Africa and operates in four official languages, namely English, French, Portuguese and Arabic. The Association’s mandate as an apex organization for higher education in Africa is to promote cooperation, academic linkages and exchange of information on higher education issues across the continent. The mandate further extends to support members in their core functions of teaching, learning, knowledge generation and its dissemination through fundamental and applied research and community engagement. The AAU also plays a key role in setting up dialogue platforms, advocacy and raising awareness for and about the major needs of African higher education institutions and coordinates the means by which these needs are met. The Association also acts as a catalyst for increased networking between and among its members and the wider African and international higher education academic community.
