Theme: Women’s Participation in Science Programmes in Africa

November 26 -29, 2019

Abuja, Nigeria

Host:  African University of Science and Technology (AUST)

The Association of African Universities (AAU) is calling for papers for its Third International Conference for Women in Leadership Positions in Higher Education (WoLPHE) taking place in Abuja, Nigeria from 26^th – 29^th November 2019.

As the apex organization and forum for consultation, exchange of information and co-operation among institutions of Higher Education in Africa, AAU has been leading the campaign on gender inclusiveness in its various initiatives and projects. The promotion of gender equality is firmly rooted in the AAU’s Strategic Plan (2016 – 2020) where reference is made to expanding gender programmes to facilitate the attainment of objectives spelt out in the African Women’s Decade (2010 -2020) Plan of Action.

The International Conference for Women in Leadership Positions in Higher Education (WoLPHE)  is one of such key platforms provided by AAU for the discussion of innovative and creative ways of empowering women, especially young women in higher education to reach their full potential and aspire to the topmost leadership positions in their chosen fields.

The maiden edition, which was held in Accra, Ghana was highly successful and brought women across national and international boundaries together to share knowledge, ideas and strategic management skills required for success in various leadership positions.

The WoLPHE second edition, held in Nairobi, Kenya attracted mostly women in academia, politics and business as well as few men who share the grand vision of women advancement in science-based careers.  In attendance were various dignitaries including the Kenyan government representation through the Cabinet Secretary, Professor Margaret Kobia, the Head of Education Division at the Human Resources, Science and Technology (HRST) Department of the African Union Commission, Dr. Beatrice Njenga, and former Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University and Director of the Centre for Innovative Leadership and Governance, Prof Olive Mugenda. The conference drew participants from higher education institutions in Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Uganda, South Africa, Mauritius, Sudan, Egypt among others. Key organisations such as the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and the Organisation for Women in science in the Developing World (OWSD) were also present.

FOCUS ON WOMEN IN STEM

As reflected by the theme, the focus of this upcoming WoLPHE conference to be held in Abuja is on the theme Women’s Participation in Science Based Programmes in Africa.

Africa’s progress is challenged by a myriad of problems ranging from lack of employment for its youth, the existence of tropical diseases, weak entrepreneurial drive and low levels of university-industry linkages, among others. It is widely accepted, that Science and Technology do have a key role to play in overcoming the continent’s developmental challenges.

However, studies have revealed that though the number of women in science and engineering is growing, men continue to outnumber women, especially at the upper levels of these professions (AAUW, 2010). With only 24% of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) occupations being filled by women, various barriers, ranging from culture, implicit bias and subtle stereotyping to willful ignorance and blatant discrimination have been identified as contributing factors (Pierce, Margo, 2013).

Africa needs to ensure that its human resource – both men and women, are fully engaged in the STEM fields in solving its developmental challenges, and thus should make significant investment into women in STEM to increase their contribution to solving the continent’s challenges. The promotion of Women in Science to contribute massively and equally to a developed Africa must therefore form an integral part of various plans and strategies aimed at achieving the African Union’s vision of ‘The Africa We Want’ by the year 2063.

CONFERENCE THEME AND SUBTHEMES

The Conference Theme is: Women’s Participation in Science Programs in Africa.

Based on the Conference theme, the AAU is calling for papers under the following subthemes:

1. a) Current Developments on Women Participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Africa.
2. b) Key Challenges Faced by Women in Science.
3. c) Gender Mainstreaming in STEM programmes in Africa.
4. c) Resource Mobilization Strategies to support STEM research
5. d) Policies, Strategies and Mechanisms to support Women in STEM.

Further information and the concept paper for this conference is accessible here –  https://blog.aau.org/call-for-participants-3rd-international-conference-for-women-in-leadership-positions-in-higher-education-wolphe/

The Conference Registration Link is also available here : https://event-mgt.aau.org/e/3WoLPHE

SPONSORSHIP

With support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), authors whose papers are accepted for presentation will be provided with a roundtrip economy ticket and accommodation to make their presentation at the conference

SUBMISSION PROCESS AND TIMELINES

Paper abstracts not exceeding two pages, must reach the AAU Secretariat not later than October 25, 2019

The abstract should indicate the scope of the research, research objectives and methods of inquiry. The paper abstracts must also include research results and conclusions, as well as a discussion of how these findings differ from previous work on the same subject.

Please submit abstracts online at: https://event-mgt.aau.org/e/3WoLPHE

Presenters of successful Abstracts will be notified by November 4, 2019 and full papers will be expected to be submitted by Friday, November 22, 2019.

Additional information about the Conference will be shared with authors whose papers will be selected. Abstracts should include name(s), institutional affiliation(s), contact details of author(s) and the paper title.

Authors of papers not selected will have the option to do a poster exhibition during the conference on condition that they fund their participation.

If you have challenges uploading your abstract, kindly contact Miss Georgina Maison at:  gdmaison@aau.org

General Contacts:

1. Joan Akua Iyoha – jaiyoha@aau.org +233-540331974 (AAU)
2. Felicia Kuagbedzi – fnkrumah@aau.org+233-246425147 (AAU)
3. Nodumo Dhlamini –  ndhlamini@aau.org(AAU)
4. Jonathan Mba – jcmba@aau.org (AAU)