The Association of African Universities (AAU) is an international non-governmental organisation set up by universities in Africa to promote cooperation among themselves and with the international academic community.

Founded with an initial membership of 34 public universities on November 12, 1967 in Rabat, Morocco, the AAU’s membership has grown to over 320. The Association’s membership is diverse and truly continental, drawn from all parts of the continent, and from all the major language and educational traditions. This gives the AAU a unique capacity to coordinate activities among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Africa, as well as to help fashion a common vision for African higher education.
The core mandate of the AAU is to  raise the quality of higher education in Africa and strengthen its contribution to Africa’s development by fostering collaboration among member institutions; providing support to their core functions of teaching, learning, research and community engagement; and facilitating critical reflection on, and consensus-building around, issues affecting higher education and the development of Africa.

The AAU is governed by a General Conference comprising representatives of  member institutions and is convened once in every four years. A Conference of Rectors, Vice-Chancellors and Presidents (COREVIP) meets every two years to review issues of common concern to HEIs in Africa. A Secretariat, based in Accra, Ghana, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Association under the general supervision of a Secretary General who reports to the Governing Board of the AAU.

 

Welcome to the Association of African Universities

The Association of African Universities (AAU) is an international non-governmental organisation set up by universities in Africa to promote cooperation among themselves and with the international academic community.
The AAU is governed by a General Conference comprising representatives of  member institutions and is convened once in every four years. A Conference of Rectors, Vice-Chancellors and Presidents (COREVIP) meets every two years to review issues of common concern to HEIs in Africa. A Secretariat, based in Accra, Ghana, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Association under the general supervision of a Secretary General who reports to the Governing Board of the AAU.

 

What we stand for

Mission

To enhance the quality and relevance of higher education in Africa and strengthen its contribution to African development by:

  1. Supporting the core functions of higher education institutions (HEIs);
  2. Facilitating and fostering collaboration of African HEIs; and
  3. Providing a platform for discussions on emerging issues

Vision
To be the advocate for higher education in Africa, with the capacity to assist its member organizations in meeting national and continental needs

Objectives

  1. To promote cooperation among higher education institutions in Africa
  2. Collect, classify and disseminate information on higher education and research, particularly in Africa
  3. Facilitate cooperation between its members and the international academic world
  4. Study and publicize and advocate the educational and related needs of African higher education institutions
  5. Facilitate the exchange of information and experience among members of the academic community, and promote best practices.

Our Strategic Goals

  1. Promote and facilitate networking, collaboration and experience sharing in teaching, learning and research;
  2. Improve leadership, institutional management and the policy environment of African higher education;
  3. Empower AAU members to address developmental challenges and become an effective voice in national, continental and global bodies
  4. Facilitate mutually beneficial interaction between member institutions and the external academic and other communities;
  5. Provide effective representation of the African higher education community in regional and international affairs;
  6. Improve the governance and organizational framework of the Association;
  7. Raise efficiency and effectiveness of the Secretariat;
  8. Provide the Secretariat with a secure and adequate resource base for the pursuit of the Association’s goals