Call for Expression of Interest to Organise Special Sessions, Association of African Universities’ 16th Quadrennial General Conference, 21st – 25th July 2025, Rabat, Morocco

The Organizing Committee of the 16th Quadrennial General Conference of the Association of African Universities (AAU) is pleased to invite institutions, groups, networks, projects, and various categories of organisations to express interest in organising special sessions at the General Conference of the AAU.

The General Conference, convened quadrennially, is the Association’s premier gathering, which brings together a diverse range of higher education stakeholders, including representatives of AAU member institutions, associate members, and observers. Other stakeholders participating in this conference include policy makers, development partners, students and industry representatives. As the Association’s supreme governing body, the General Conference is responsible for shaping the AAU’s strategic direction and policy framework. The conference, themed “Shaping the Future of Higher Education for Innovation and Sustainable Development in Africa,” will take place from July 21st to 25th, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco. The 16th Quadrennial General Conference will be hosted by the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), while the AAU Governing Board Meeting preceding the General Conference will be hosted by the Mohammed V University (UM5).  This excellent opportunity to organize special sessions will enable institutions to bring together their stakeholders and experts to discuss specific topics, showcase innovative projects, and facilitate networking.

Special sessions can take various formats, including panel discussions, roundtables, meetings, workshops, presentations, and debates, either during the main conference at plenary or parallel sessions, or as side events organized as pre-conference or post-conference events.

Submission Guidelines

To propose a special session, please submit a brief statement of interest or an abstract of 300 -500 words outlining the following:

1. Session title and brief description
2. Session format and duration
3. Key points or topics to be addressed at the session
4. Relevance of session to Africa’s higher education community
5. Names and affiliations of session organizers and speakers
6. Expected outcomes and takeaways

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

– Relevance to the conference theme or the overall mission of the Association of African Universities

– Originality and innovation, as well as the ability of the session to provide an interactive forum for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to engage in critical dialogue, build networks, or share their innovations and research.

– Clarity and coherence of submission

– Potential for engaging discussions and networking opportunities

Important Dates

– Proposal submission deadline: April 31, 2025

-Notification of acceptance: May 9, 2025

Submissions
Specific details required and submissions should be made via this link – https://forms.office.com/r/zu79YvR1k2

For any inquiries, please contact the conference organisers at – gencon2025@aau.org

Join Us

We encourage you to leverage this opportunity and help shape key conversations through the organisation of special sessions. Submit your proposal by the deadline and be part of this dynamic conference. We look forward to welcoming you to the Association of African Universities’ prestigious 16th General Conference 2025.

Note: To support the conference, organizers of special sessions are required to select a sponsorship package. This contribution will help ensure the overall success of the event. Access the Conference Sponsorship Package here.