Issue 001 - January 19, 2026
SG's Welcome Remarks
Dear Cherished Stakeholders,
I welcome you all to another year of advancing higher education in Africa. As we step into 2026, I extend my sincere greetings and reaffirm our shared commitment to the transformation of African higher education. The past year’s achievements, made possible by your steadfast collaboration, have laid a formidable foundation.
This year, we must not only advance but accelerate. We will be guided by our strategic plan (2024 -2030) which outlines our five key strategic areas - (1) A favorable higher education policy environment promoted in Africa at national, regional, and continental levels supported by evidence-based advocacy (2) The capacities of AAU Member Universities strengthened to deliver on their mandates. (3) Higher education in Africa harmonized and standardized to enhance inter-institutional collaboration, networking, and competitiveness. (4) Research Excellence and Management advanced as a mechanism of impacting Africa’s development, and (5) Innovations promoted to impact African Higher Education Systems and Africa’s Development
The challenges we face are matched only by the immense potential of our continent’s intellectual capital. I call upon each of you to join the AAU in this critical work with renewed commitment. Let us move forward with purpose and ambition to shape an academic landscape that drives Africa’s prosperity and global leadership. I look forward to our continued partnership in this vital mission
Prof. Olusola Oyewole
EVENTS
1. International Day of Education 2026 Webinar
AAU, in collaboration with Afrobarometer, invites you to a webinar themed "The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education: An African Imperative", aligned with UNESCO's global focus for 2026, to mark the International Day of Education. This webinar will highlight the critical role of African youth in shaping education systems that reflect their aspirations and drive the continent's development.
Date & Time: Friday, January 23, 2026, 11:00-13:00 GMT
2. AAU Digital Empowerment MOOCs
Launched on November 14, 2025, the first cohort of this digital empowerment MOOCs runs from February 2 to 20, 2026. The MOOCs will be delivered in a blended format, combining three-week self-paced online sessions with a day contact session with facilitators, followed by a one-week in-person practical workshop to maximize participation and impact. Registration for the online sessions is free and can be completed via the link below.
3. Webinar on AI & Higher Education
Organized in collaboration with Subula e.U, AAU invites you to a webinar titled "AI & Higher Education: Capacities, Use Cases & Institutional Strategies." As AI continues to shape the global education landscape, this webinar explores understanding AI in higher education, where universities should begin with AI integration, and the institutional opportunities and strategic pathways.
Date & Time: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 10:30 GMT
4. Call for Features - HealthAfrik
AAU, through its television platform AAU TV, invites Universities, Research Institutions, Centres of Excellence, as well as Faculty, Researchers, and Students to submit feature ideas for the upcoming season of HealthAfrik, our flagship health program. This season of HealthAfrik is dedicated to showcasing health-related research, innovation, and institutional impact emerging from African higher education and research ecosystems.
We welcome submissions in these fields:
- Health research and innovation
- Digital health and technological solutions
- Public health and community health interventions
- And any health-related areas
Enquiries: Miss Isabella Ahinakwa - itahinakwa@aau.org
5. Positioning Your University For Global Visibility 2.0
The 2nd Edition of the Positioning Your University for Global Visibility Workshop will take place from 27th – 29th January 2026 in Lusaka, Zambia. This workshop is designed to empower university leaders and higher education professionals to strengthen their institution’s global presence and competitiveness.
While registration for this edition is closed, updates on the 3rd edition will be shared in due course.
6. UM6P Executive Masters 2026 Intake
The Institute of Education & Academic Effectiveness at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) announces the Executive Master's in Governance, Administration, and Policy in Education (GAPEF). This programme is designed for education leaders, policymakers, and changemakers committed to strengthening education systems across Africa.
Enquiries: Dr. Rita Kasa via Rita.KASA@um6p.ma
7. Webinar -Transitioning Into Pedagogic Research
The Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) invites workshop participation from individuals transitioning into pedagogical research from other disciplines. The workshop will explore the interrelationship between learning, teaching, and research at a time when multidisciplinary research is becoming increasingly important across the higher education sector. It will examine the dual relationship between discipline centred research and pedagogic research, as well as the transition between these areas, with particular focus on research methodologies and publication.
Date & Time: Wednesday 18 February, 10:00 - 16:30, London
8. Call For Abstracts – British Journal Of Sociology Of Education Special Issue: Students And Politics
The special issue will explore the complex relationship between higher education and students’ political beliefs, behaviours, and engagement. Guest Editors are interested in papers exploring conceptual and normative ideas in this area that can also be linked to broader questions regarding the perceived value of higher education.
Deadline for submissions: 1 February 2026
9. UK–Africa Online Knowledge Exchange Programme Series
BIC Africa is launching a new online capacity-building programme, Fostering University Enterprise: A UK–Africa Knowledge Exchange on Incubation and Innovation, bringing together business incubators from across Sub-Saharan Africa with leading UK university innovation centres. It aims to facilitate peer learning and exchange with experienced managers from UK University Incubators, all accredited EU|BICS. Through a series of interactive sessions, participants will explore effective models, tools, and practices that support innovation, entrepreneurship, and university-industry collaboration. The programme consists of four sessions, each lasting 2.5 hours.
Dates: Tuesday, 27th of January to Friday, 30th of January 2026
FEATURED
Did you know?
The Association of African Universities will be 60 years in 2027? Mark your calendar to join our celebrations at our next Conference of Rectors, Vice Chancellors and Presidents of African Universities (COREVIP).
OPPORTUNITIES
1. Director, Higher Education Strengthening (Africa & Toronto)
The Mastercard Foundation announces an opening for the position of Director, Higher Education Strengthening (Africa & Toronto).
Application closes: January 21, 2026
2. Society for Research into Higher Education Newer Researcher Awards
Applications are now open for the Society for Research into Higher Education Newer Researcher Awards. In 2026 there will be up to three awards of £3,000 available for a research project of one year’s duration.
Application closes: March 31, 2026
Association of African Universities
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