Press Release: Association of African Universities (AAU) set to Convene its 16th Quadrennial General Conference in Rabat Morocco

Higher Education Stakeholders to Deliberate on Shaping the Future of Higher Education for Innovation and Sustainable Development in Africa

Accra, Ghana, March 12, 2025 – The Association of African Universities (AAU), the apex organization for higher education in Africa, is set to host its 16th Quadrennial General Conference (QGC) in Rabat, Morocco, from July 21st to 25th, 2025. This flagship event is proudly hosted by two esteemed Moroccan AAU member institutions: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and Mohammed V University (UM5).

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. As the Association’s supreme governing body, the General Conference is responsible for shaping the AAU’s strategic direction and policy framework.

The AAU and its conference hosts invite a diverse range of stakeholders to participate in the Conference, including higher education leaders, such as Vice Chancellors and executive heads of institutions across Africa and beyond, and higher education administrative staff, including but not limited to: Deans, Registrars, ICT directors and officers, Internationalisation and Partnerships Officers. Invitation is also extended to the research and academic community, comprising researchers, educators, and academics. Additionally, development partners, including international organizations, and development institutions, are invited to participate, alongside policymakers, government officials, and ministers. Students and youth, including student leaders and representatives of youth organizations, are also encouraged to attend, as are private sector and industry partners, such as companies and industries interested in higher education and skills development.

Under the theme “Shaping the Future of Higher Education for Innovation and Sustainable Development in Africa,” the AAU 16th General Conference seeks to tackle the pressing challenges facing higher education in Africa. By exploring innovative solutions, it aims to create the platform for stakeholders to converge around key strategies to drive sustainable growth and development, ultimately transforming Africa’s higher education institutions to address the continent’s socio-economic challenges and realize the vision of Africa’s Agenda 2063.

The conference is guided by three core objectives: enhancing access and equity in higher education by reducing barriers to entry and improving retention rates; fostering research and innovation ecosystems by providing funding and support for innovative projects that address local and regional challenges; and integrating Sustainable Development Goals into curricula and institutional practices to ensure that education contributes to sustainable societal transformation.

The conference will delve into nine (9) sub-themes that support the main theme, exploring policy, governance, and advocacy for transforming higher education, as well as the role of artificial intelligence and technology-driven teaching in enhancing education quality. Additionally, the conference will examine curricula re-engineering and credit transfer systems, collaborative research and capacity building, and the impact of climate change on higher education.  Furthermore, discussions will focus on the important topics of entrepreneurship skills and competencies, funding infrastructural development, indigenous knowledge and environmental preservation, and the contribution of higher education to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Further information on the theme and subthemes can be obtained from the Conference Concept Note available in Arabic, English, French, and Portuguese.

Professor Olusola Oyewole, Secretary General of the Association of African Universities said “The 16th Quadrennial General Conference promises to be a dynamic and engaging event, featuring a diverse range of activities, including scientific sessions, panel discussions, special sessions coordinated by partner institutions, exhibitions, and an award/recognition session. These sessions will provide a platform for stakeholders to share innovative insights, practical solutions, and best practices”. “The Association of African Universities (AAU) invites all individuals and institutions with aligned visions and interests in advancing higher education in Africa to participate in this momentous event”, he added.

To register or obtain more information about the 16th Quadrennial General Conference, please visit the conference website – https://events.aau.org/gencon/. We look forward to your participation and contributions to shaping the future of higher education in Africa.

 About the Conference Organiser

Association of African Universities (AAU)

The Association of African Universities (AAU) | www.aau.org

The Association of African Universities is an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation created by African universities to promote cooperation among them and between them and the international academic community. It is headquartered in Accra, Ghana, has a membership of more than 450 higher education institutions, and three regional offices – the North Africa Regional Office (NARO) in Cairo, Egypt; East Africa Regional Office (EARO) in Khartoum, Sudan; and the Southern Africa Regional Office in Zimbabwe (SARO) as well as continental offices hosted in Europe, USA, Latin America among others.

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Media enquiries: Felicia Nkrumah Kuagbedzi, Senior Communications and Publications Officer, AAU, fnkrumah@aau.org; +233246425147