AfRID Renaissance Workshop 2
2026-04-28 10:00 - 17:00 UTC | 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

Humanities and Social Science Webinar Series Research Acceleration
2026-06-03 09:30 - 11:30 | Virtual
We warmly invite you to the second series of the Taylor & Francis – AAU webinar on HSS Research Acceleration. Kindly find details below.

Join AAU, Taylor & Francis for the 2nd session of our Humanities and Social Science Webinar Series.

Event details:
Title: Panel Discussion: What Editors Look For

Date: 3 June 2026

Time: 9:30 AM–11:30 AM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/1317788422838/WN_4B-8T5g2RPO8IAwsN8cQ_g

Safety and Security in African Universities Workshop
2026-06-30 08:00 - 17:00 | Zanzibar, Golden Tulip Zanzibar, Tanzania, United Republic of
Workshop on Safety and Security in African Universities
“Managing Security and Safety Threats in African Universities and Colleges: Mitigation Strategies for the 21st Century”

As part of the Association of African Universities (AAU)’s commitment to delivering value to its members and advancing higher education in Africa, the AAU in collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam, is organizing a strategic workshop on Safety and Security in African Universities under the theme, “Managing Security and Safety Threats in African Universities and Colleges: Mitigation Strategies for the 21st Century”.

This initiative seeks to educate, enlighten, and enhance administrators, leaders, students and university communities’ consciousness of the existing and emerging security challenges that university communities face. It also seeks to increase and strengthen the capacity of leaders and the entire university communities to appreciate, prevent and contain, in a timely and holistic manner, threats as they arise. Safety, security, and the psychological health of faculty, staff and students are critical and foundational to academic success and institutional resilience globally (Chaudary et al, 2024). African universities and their communities are particularly faced with diverse security challenges. African universities are often buffeted by violent protests (like FeesMustFall in South Africa), gender-based violence, theft, terrorism threats, political violence, cybercrime and other forms of threats (Dlamini & Olarewaju, 2021; Mkhize et al., 2022). These threats need urgent and effective security policies and measures through digital innovations while fostering collaborative, community-driven safety models. The safety and security in African universities needs multiple approaches that integrates physical infrastructure, digital tracking, and joint community strategies (Moghayedi, 2024; Gallagher Content Team, 2024). Prioritizing safety, security, and psychological well-being in University communities guarantees a flourishing academic basis for higher retention ratios, enhanced cognitive performance, a resilient campus culture and better management of stressors. This workshop is one in a series that endeavours to tackle these challenges by empowering institutions with the resources and techniques needed to protect students, staff, assets and university communities efficiently.

OBJECTIVE
The workshop aims to train African university security personnel and build resilient, modern security procedures to safeguard academic communities, protect institutional resources, and produce peaceful, conducive environments indispensable for higher education and Africa’s development. Specifically, the workshop seeks to:

Enhance the knowledge and skills of security personnel, enabling them to design and implement advanced access control systems, effectively leveraging cutting-edge
technology.
Emphasize the importance of adopting proactive security policies, including regular safety audits, emergency preparedness drills, and clear communication channels for incident reporting.
Promote a collaborative approach involving students, faculty, and administration to foster a safer campus environment.

GOALS
Specific goals of this workshop includes:

Improving Capacity and Professionalism: Empowering campus security officers with enhanced skills in intelligence collection, crime scene management, emergency response, and evidence gathering.
Safeguarding Students and Assets: Safeguarding university communities, academic buildings, and student accommodation (both on and off-campus) against violence, pilfering, and unauthorized access.
Promoting a Culture of Collective Responsibility: Transitioning basic securing by advancing campus-wide consciousness and training programs like University of Ghana’s “Safety and Security Champions” creativities to involve students in vigilance and emergency alertness.
Transforming Security Structure: Moving from conventional, manual patrols to amalgamated, modern systems figuring CCTV surveillance, electronic access management, and fast emergency communication systems.
Preventing Emerging Threats: Containing 21st-century hazards like cybersecurity breaches and academic fraud to protect the integrity of the institution’s information technology and student records.

This workshop will cover essential topics such as personal safety and awareness, emergency response and evacuation procedures, cybersecurity and data protection, conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques, first aid and CPR training, and asset-cycle management.

WORKSHOP STRUCTURE
Security is conceptualised as a multi-dimensional issue and covered through an intensive 3-day session. The following dimensions of security will be addressed as part of the workshop.

Physical Security and Environment Design

Access control: Control of entry and exit points, including gates, doors, and barriers.
Surveillance: Use of CCTV cameras, alarms, and sensors to monitor campus activity.
Lighting: Crime Prevention Through the Environment Design (CPTED): improving campus lighting and access controls, including walkways, parking lots, and buildings.
Barriers and fencing: Physical barriers to prevent unauthorized access.
Training frontline security personnel on de-escalation, conflict management, and lawful interventions.

Personal Security

Emergency response planning: Plans and procedures for responding to emergencies, such as fires, medical emergencies, and violent incidents.
Crisis intervention and support: Support services for students, faculty, and staff affected by crisis or trauma.
Self-defense training: Training programs for students, faculty, and staff on self-defense techniques.
Support for vulnerable populations: Specialized support services for vulnerable populations, such as international students, and students with disabilities.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Mental Health

Establishing safe reporting mechanisms, victim support protocols, and first-responder training for security staff.
Promoting a culture of consent, awareness campaigns, and safe-space development.

Cybersecurity and Data Protection

Network security: Protection of campus networks from cyber threats, including hacking, malware, and phishing.
Data protection: Protection of sensitive data, including student records, research data, and financial information.
Incident response: Plans and procedures for responding to cybersecurity incidents.
Awareness and training: Training programs for students, faculty, and staff on cybersecurity best practices.

Environmental Security

Disaster preparedness: Plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods.
Environmental health and safety: Monitoring and mitigation of environmental hazards, including air and water quality.
Sustainability initiatives: Initiatives to reduce campus environmental impact, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and recycling.
Emergency response planning for environmental incidents: Plans and procedures for responding to environmental incidents, such as chemical spills or wildfires.

Community Security

Community engagement: Building relationships between campus security and local law enforcement, community organizations, and neighborhood residents.
Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED): Designing campus spaces to prevent crime, including natural surveillance, access control, and territorial reinforcement.
Student involvement in security initiatives: Involving students in security initiatives, including student patrols, security awareness campaigns, and crisis response teams.
Partnerships with local law enforcement: Collaborations with local law enforcement agencies to enhance campus security.

Politicisation of University Administration and Student Leadership

Political interference and the politicization: Universities compromise campus security by undermining recognised autonomy, weakening neutral law enforcement, and changing academic settings into arenas for national or parochial interests.
Weaponisation of factional student groups: State security forces may be weaponized to silence opposing student groups or vocal faculty under the guise of maintaining order, resulting in human rights violations and targeted harassment.
Proxy Campus Battles: Direct ties between national political parties and campus factions often result in fierce, sometimes violent, proxy battles over student leadership positions
Vulnerability: This dynamic threatens safety by shifting the focus from education to political conflict.

Violent Extremism/ Terrorism and Radicalisation

Ideological Radicalisation: Violent extremism and terrorism imperil universities by threatening faculty, staff, and students’ security, undermining academic openness, and sparking ideological radicalization.
Indoctrination and recruitment: Radical groups actively exploit youth grievances and structural socio-economic vulnerabilities to recruit and indoctrinate within academic communities.
Targeted Violence: Groupings like Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab have usually targeted campuses, leading to kidnappings, carnages, and the ruin of educational infrastructure.
Displacement: In sub-regions like the Sahel, militant invasions have compelled universities to halt classes, relocate, or shift wholly to online learning, harshly disrupting education.
Resource Competition: Transhumance groups such as the Fulani in Nigeria have forced large displacements by overrunning university campuses.

Gangs and Occultism in Universities

Drug and Weapons Trafficking: Gangs endanger university security chiefly through violent initiations, extortion schemes, organized theft, and drug trafficking, which undermine the safety of both campuses and surrounding student communities
Violent Initiations and Cultism: In many regions, particularly across West Africa, like the Black Axe in Nigeria use universities as key enlistment grounds, endangering new initiates to rigorous physical violence, black magic rites, and obliged criminality
Campus Intimidation: The manifestation of armed gang members results in a climate of anxiety, choking academic freedom, disordering campus governance, and heightens the risk of toxic violent conflicts.

Epidemics and Pandemics

Death and morbidity: Epidemics and pandemics posse a grave threat to universities communities, given the dense populations, high mobility and contact among staff and students, and propensity of pathogens to spread rapidly.
Vulnerabilities: Epidemics and pandemics worsen socio-economic disparities, drain institutional finances, and impede global mobility, revealing deep-seated weaknesses in the continent’s higher education sector.
Digital Gap and Study Disruption: The fast change to crisis remote teaching revealed a major structural weakness, high cost of data, lack of electricity, the deficiency of readiness for extensive online learning. Effecting rural and lower-income students critically deprived.
Institutional Financial Uncertainty: Many universities are greatly reliant on tuition and accommodation fees, and lengthy quarantine and university shutdowns lead to massive income losses, compelling universities into recruitment embargoes, staff redundancy, threats to staff and career progression, and slashes in vital educational and sustenance services.
Inertia of Internationalization: Plagues impede international academic movement, restraining the mobility of international students, scholars, and student exchange programs; negatively impacting the cultural richness of universities and the income produced by international admissions.

Crisis Management and Emergency Evacuation

Crisis Management: Preparing or designing response strategies for civil strife, natural disasters, and medical emergencies such as epidemics and pandemics.
Contingency Planning: Collective disaster planning, communication strategies, and collaboration with local law enforcement such as the Police.

Engagement Tools (Case Study/Role Play)

Role-playing de-escalation scenarios and mapping physical vulnerabilities on actual campus blueprints are sessions incorporated as practical.

WORKSHOP FORMAT
The workshop has adopted a strategic methodology which will include effective approaches, such as the use of case studies, focused group discussions, experiential learning (Case studies from universities in the various regions in Africa), presentations and sharing of ideas, knowledge and skills. The workshop will develop a follow-up process to ensure that university Management are implementing the good practices to be learned from the workshop at their various institutions of higher learning. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with peers on the various challenges at their universities and strategies to overcome them. A postworkshop report will be compiled, and recommendations made will be integrated into improving subsequent workshops.
TARGET GROUP
The workshop is designed for key decision-makers and stakeholders, including: Vice Chancellors, Presidents, Rectors, Directors, Registrars, Campus Security and Safety Officers, and other Professionals responsible for formulating and implementing security policies

WORKSHOP DETAILS
Main Workshop Dates: 25th – 27th August, 2026.
Venue: Golden Tulip, Zanzibar
Workshop Host: University of Dar es Salaam

FEES:

AAU Members- $700
NON-AAU Members- $800
Institutions in Tanzania (subsidized fee)-$600

Registration covers the conference package including training materials, certificates, tea/coffee, and lunches for the three-day workshop. Participants will be responsible for their air tickets, Visa fees, accommodation and dinners .
To register kindly click on the link below: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/NxqCvF3vUp

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, AND VISA
The Association of African Universities (AAU) will provide registered delegates with an official invitation letter issued through the host university and the Foreign Ministry of Tanzania upon completion of the registration process. This invitation letter will support delegates in obtaining a visa on arrival in Zanzibar, Tanzania, where applicable.
Participants are advised to verify the visa requirements applicable to their nationality and apply for their visas through the official Tanzania Immigration Department website or the online Tanzania eVisa portal. Tanzania Immigration Department Visa Information or the online visa application portal: Tanzania eVisa Portal.

RECOMMENDED HOTELS

HOTEL
COST PER NIGHT
CONTACTS FOR BOOKING

Golden Tulip Zanzibar (Workshop Venue)

150 USD
rez@goldentulipzanzibarairport.com

27 Cafe Zanzibar Airport Hotel

65 USD
airporthotel27cafe@gmail.com

Golden Palm Boutique Zanzibar

95 USD
reservations@goldenpalmzanzibar.com

Wellworth Zanzibar Beach Resort

135 USD
crm@wellworthgroup.com

CONTACT DETAILS – elaari@aau.org and copy membership@aau.org or WhatsApp +233-244498868.
LANGUAGE:
The main training language is English.

STUDY TOUR

University of Dares salam
Zanzibar University

A BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE AAU
The Association of African Universities (AAU) founded in 1967 with an initial membership of 34 universities, currently has over 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 how 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. In pursuit of its mandate, AAU coordinates and facilitates one of the World Bank’s biggest Education Projects; the Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project. The AAU also serves as the Coordinator for the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA), among other high-profile projects and initiatives. The AAU frequently identifies areas where member institutions require capacity building through its training programmes that are tailor-made to address such needs.

REFERENCES
Blokland, P. & Reniers, G. (2020). Exploring the Interrelations Between Safety and Security.
Chaudhry, S., Tandon, A., Shinde, S., & Bhattacharya, A. (2024). Student psychological well-being in higher education: The role of internal team environment, institutional, friends and family support and academic engagement. PloS one, 19(1), e0297508. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0297508
Cybersecurity Education Recommendations. (2022). Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice.
Dlamini, N. & Olarewaju, O.A. (2021). An Investigation into Campus Safety and Security. Proceedings of the 11th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Singapore, March 7-11, 2021
Edwards, F.L. & Goodrich, D.C. (2021). Emergency Management, Safety, and Security. In: Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance. Springer.
Gallagher Content Team. (Blog, Tuesday 9, 2024). How to Improve Campus Security for a Secure Learning Environment. In: Safety and Security Management. Springer.
Lebitse, P. (2019). Sowetan Live. [Online] Available: https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/amp/opinion/columnists/2019-02-12-alarming-that-safety-on campus-remains-elusive/ Accessed on: 28 June, 2026.
Manyathela, C. (2018). Eyewitness News. [Online] Available at: https://ewn.co.za/2019/07/11/saps-considered-most-corrupt-institution-in-sa-survey. Accessed on: 28 June, 2026.
Mkhize, S., Cinini, S.F. & Ngcece, S. (2022). University campuses and types of crime: A case study of the University of KwaZulu-Natal/Howard campus in the city of Durban-South Africa, Cogent Social Sciences, 8:1, 2110199, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2022.21101
Moghayedi, A., Michell, K., Le Jeune, K., & Massyn, M. (2024). Assessing the influence of technological innovations and community-based facilities management on the safety and security of universities. A case study of an open campus. Facilities, 42(3-4), 223-244.

Taylor & Francis - AAU webinar on Post-Publication Impact & Visibility Session 4
2026-07-09 15:00 - 2026-07-12 17:00 | Virtual
Taylor & Francis – AAU webinar on Post-Publication Impact & Visibility. Kindly find the details below.

Session 4: Post-publication Impact & Visibility: From Publication to Reach

Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/7817790860533/WN_owDeemG0S72rtVVW0Tf1yg
Date & Time: 9 July 2026 | 3:00 PM IST | 11:30 AM SAST
Platform: Zoom (Live + Q&A)

Speakers:
* Dr Padmakumar K, Professor & Head of Communication Management, Manipal Institute of Communication, MAHE, India
* Jing Zhu, Associate Director, Community Development, Taylor & Francis
* Bethany Farr, Director of Performance Marketing, Taylor & Francis

About the session:
Your research journey doesn’t end when your article is published.

This session focuses on practical ways to help researchers increase the visibility, reach, and impact of their published work by communicating research effectively to both academic and wider audiences.

What we’ll cover:
* Visibility essentials: optimising keywords, abstracts, and ORCID profiles
* Communicating research beyond academia and increasing research visibility
* Social media storytelling: making research accessible through threads and short posts

Register to join us live and discover practical ways to extend the reach and impact of your research.

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.

AAU-Crossref Webinar Episode 1
2026-07-15 11:00 - 15:00 | Association of African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, Accra, 233, Ghana
This first of a three-part AAU-Crossref webinar series is designed to support African universities to strengthen their research infrastructure, improve scholarly publishing practices, and maximize the benefits of Crossref services.
Titled *Enhancing visibility and trust in African scholarly publishing through robust metadata*, Webinar 1 will demonstrate how universities and journals can use Crossref DOIs and metadata registration to increase global visibility and accessibility. It will also showcase success stories of African institutions leveraging Crossref.
Register via: https://shorturl.at/hVsTK
Date: 15th July 2026
Time: 11:00 GMT (kindly convert to your local time)

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.

AAU African Students’ Leadership Summit 2026
2026-08-17 08:00 - 2026-08-19 17:00 | Cairo, Egypt, Al-Azhar University, Egypt
We are pleased to officially invite you and members of your institution/organisation to participate in the maiden edition of the AAU African Students’ Leadership Summit 2026, scheduled to take place from 17th – 19th August 2026 in Cairo, Egypt, hosted by Al-Azhar University, host institution of the AAU North Africa Regional Office.
The Summit will be held under the theme:
“Shaping the Next Generation of African Transformation: Leadership, Innovation, and Agenda 2063 in Action.”

Participation Fees:

USD 300 – AAU Member Institutions
USD 350 – Non-AAU Member Institutions

The AAU African Students’ Leadership Summit is a high-level continental convening designed to equip Africa’s emerging student leaders with the leadership capacity, strategic thinking, innovation mindset, and continental networks required to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s transformation agenda.
Organised by the Association of African Universities (AAU) — the apex body for higher education in Africa representing nearly 500 universities across the continent, the Summit directly responds to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2026–2035), both of which emphasise youth empowerment, leadership development, and active participation in shaping Africa’s future.
The Summit recognises that leadership within higher education exists across different levels and responsibilities. As such, participation is open to:

Undergraduate student leaders and aspiring student leaders
Graduate (Master’s) students and project coordinators
PhD candidates, postdoctoral representatives, and research leaders
Learners in professional and specialised programmes
Young innovators, researchers, and changemakers across Africa

Participants who actively engage in the Summit will receive Certificates of Participation in recognition of their leadership training and contribution.
We strongly encourage institutions and organisations to sponsor delegations comprising undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional-course participants as part of strengthening Africa’s future leadership pipeline.
Registration is currently open via the link below:
https://workshops.aau.org/students-leadershipsummit-2026
For further inquiries or clarification, kindly contact:
📞 +233 552639759 📧 jddotsey@aau.org
+233 243752815 / jkornor@aau.org
We would be honoured to welcome you to Cairo for this landmark continental gathering and look forward to your participation in shaping the next generation of African transformation leaders.

2026 Annual Conference of the China-Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism
2026-09-19 - 2026-09-20 | Beijing, China
Invitation to Participate in the 2026 Annual Conference of the China-Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism
Theme: Forging a New Paradigm for China-Africa Higher Education Cooperation
Date: 19–20 September 2026
Location: Beijing, China

Kindly send an email to cayeboah@aau.org for registration and more details.

Deadline: 30th June 2026

Academic Leadership Summit (ALS) – 2026
2026-10-05 08:00 - 2026-10-09 17:00 | Association of African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, Accra, 233, Ghana
Academic Leadership Summit (ALS) – 2026
Theme: Designing, Developing, and Delivering High-Impact Online Learning in African Universities

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

The Association of African Universities (AAU) recognizes the critical and accelerating need for African higher education institutions to strengthen their capacity for online education. Although many universities on the continent have established policies and platforms, they continue to encounter distinct challenges, including infrastructure limitations, varying levels of digital proficiency, and resource constraints. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive, contextually relevant support to ensure the effective design, development, and delivery of high-quality online learning experiences that meet the evolving needs of African students and institutions.
In response, the Academic Leadership Summit (ALS) – 2026 will convene as a five-day, intensive, hands-on workshop from 5–9 October 2026 at the AAU Secretariat in Accra, Ghana. The programme is strategically designed for faculty, instructional designers, IT professionals, and academic leaders from African universities. Through a carefully structured, immersive experience, participants will build a robust online course ecosystem—from curriculum design to implementation and management—tailored to the realities and opportunities within Africa’s higher education landscape.
Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/QN0RusjAFN

Invitation to Participate in the Fourth Interregional Dialogue on Education and Development 2026
2026-12-13 00:00 - 2026-12-17 00:00
The Fourth Interregional Dialogue on Education and Development, co-organized by the Association of African Universities (AAU) alongside the African Union Commission (AUC), Obreal, the Association of Arab Universities (AArU), and the CELAC Pro Tempore Presidency (Uruguay), will take place from 13–17 December 2026 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, bringing together governments, universities, regional organizations, research institutions, and development partners from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, the Arab World, and beyond.

This year’s Dialogue marks a new phase of the Interregional Dialogue Process, moving from dialogue to action by transforming shared ideas into concrete cooperation, governance mechanisms, pilot initiatives, and measurable outcomes.
Discussions will focus on three key action tracks:

Green and Digital Transitions with Territorial Impact – advancing sustainable development through digital transformation, innovation, and climate-responsive solutions.
Interregional Knowledge Connectivity – strengthening research collaboration, academic exchange, innovation ecosystems, and knowledge-sharing across regions.
Inclusion, Social Cohesion, and Expanded Interregional Architecture – promoting equitable access to education, inclusive development, and stronger interregional governance and cooperation.

The Dialogue reinforces the vital role of higher education, research, innovation, and international partnerships in addressing today’s global challenges. Learn more and register: Fourth Interregional Dialogue on Education and Development
AAU’s Commitment
The Association of African Universities remains committed to positioning African higher education institutions as key contributors to global knowledge production and sustainable development. Through our partnership in this Dialogue, we seek to amplify Africa’s voice, foster meaningful collaborations, and create new opportunities for our member institutions to influence international higher education policy and practice.
We strongly encourage all AAU member universities, researchers, faculty members, and higher education leaders to take advantage of this unique platform to exchange ideas, build strategic partnerships, and contribute to shaping innovative solutions for our shared future.
We look forward to your active participation in Addis Ababa as we work together to strengthen interregional cooperation and advance higher education’s contribution to sustainable development.
For more information and registration details, please visit the following links:
Register today: https://dialogues.obreal.org/interregional-dialogue-2026/register/
Read more: https://dialogues.obreal.org/interregional-dialogue-2026/
Together, let us transform dialogue into action and partnerships into impact.
