Members of the Association of African Universities (AAU) Governing Board met at the AAU Secretariat as part of their 81st meeting. Since their appointment as Board Members in 2021 , an opportunity for a joint team physical meeting at the AAU Secretariat had not emerged, and therefore the holding of this meeting in Ghana enabled them to also familiarize themselves with the ultra-modern Secretariat Building that was built by the Government of Ghana for the Association.

The AAU Board is currently chaired by Professor Saeed Bakri Osman,  the President of the Sudan International University based in Sudan. The continental Board of the Association has representatives from the 5 regions of Africa. For the first time the Board features four female Vice Chancellors namely:

1. Professor Theresia Nkuo-Akenji,  the Vice Chancellor of the University of Bamenda in Cameroon – and also one of the Vice Presidents of AAU
2. Professor Lilian Salami, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Nigeria – and also one of the Vice Presidents of AAU
3. Professor Elisabeta Olarinde Smaranda, the Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, in Nigeria and Board Member representing West Africa
4. Dr Sheela Raja Ram, the Vice Chancellor of Botho University and the alternate AAU Board Member for Southern Africa

Two members of the Board participated in the meetings virtually.

The agenda for the Board Meeting included receiving progress updates from the Secretary General and also the Board providing guidance to the key functions of the Association – programmes, projects, administration, membership, financial management and resource mobilization.

The Governing Board comprises the President of the Association, three Vice-Presidents, 11 other executive heads of member institutions elected at the General Conference to represent the five sub-regions of Africa and the Secretary-General. The Board implements the decisions of the General Conference. The Governance Board meets at least annually.
READ MORE: https://aau.org/governance/