Date:  5^th February – 8th February 2024 | Workshop Duration: 4 Days  | Venue: Kigali, Rwanda

Participants: Registrars, Enrollment Managers, Academic Advisors, Staff of the Registry, Examination Managers, Project Managers and Officers, Staff Responsible for Resource Development, Partnership & Policy Managers, and Planning Officers

Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/r/hmxXWK6u8h

Introduction

From time immemorial, a university has always been seen as a collegial organisation, governed and managed by a community of scholars. However, in the last few decades, the collegial governance and management system was dismantled in part because of forces of globalisation and the need for universities to become publicly accountable, not just to their governing bodies and internal stakeholders, but to broader society and donor agencies. This trend has revolutionized not only the operations of the University of the past but has also recreated a new university governance and management model. Universities are important institutions in the 21^st century and are essential to the way that training and education are provided.

They play a crucial role in practice, policy, and public discourse in addition to offering knowledge, information, and evidence. The higher education environment is dynamic and for the last 20 years, global university rankings have been a major and growing factor in higher education around the world. There is still more work to be done, even though rankings may have encouraged some universities to raise their standards. To support quality and improvement in all universities, promote sector-wide planning pertinent to national and regional contexts, accommodate a more diverse ecosystem of differentiated universities, and uphold and strengthen universities’ mandates to serve the global common good, academics and university leaders must comprehend and contextualize university rankings. For universities, funding for postsecondary education is a constant challenge.

Examining the mobilization of financial resources for higher education systems is necessary, with an emphasis on two fundamental issues that must be addressed by all systems: what proportion of financial resources should be increased for higher education, and where will these funds originate? In addition, to be able to respond to societal needs, Africa’s higher education landscape requires visionary leadership, effective governance, sustainable resource mobilization, and seamless digital integration. Registrars are pivotal to maintaining the smooth functioning of the universities and play a key role in the above functions. Registrars typically serve as key administrative officers, overseeing various aspects related to student affairs, academic records, and institutional governance. Their responsibilities are diverse and essential for maintaining order and efficiency within the university. Their work schedule, roles, and responsibilities contribute significantly to the overall success and reputation of the institution. However, given the increasing complexity of the environment of HEIs, leading and managing such institutions requires unique and transformational leadership, management, and digital competencies, which some university managers are lacking. It is against this backdrop that the Association of African Universities (AAU) is organizing a capacity-building workshop for university registrars and administrators in universities.

General objective

The workshop aims to bring together key stakeholders, including academic leaders, registrars, and administrators, to deliberate on and concretise strategies for enhancing leadership, governance, resource mobilization, and digital transformation in Higher Education Institutions. This workshop seeks to empower participants with the knowledge and tools needed to lead transformative change in their respective institutions, fostering a collaborative and innovative higher education landscape in Africa.

Specific Objectives

1. Provide participants with a deep understanding of the key elements—leadership, governance, resource mobilization, and digital transformation—that shape the trajectory of HEIs in Africa.
2. Showcase successful models and best practices from institutions that have successfully navigated challenges and achieved transformative growth.
3. Equip participants with practical skills and strategies to lead and implement positive change within their respective institutions.
4. Engage participants on the importance, merits, and demerits of university ranking systems and context-specific application of ranking metrics and indicators
5. Facilitate networking opportunities for participants to engage in meaningful discussions, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations and partnerships.

Expected outcomes

The expected outcomes include:

1. Enhanced understanding of effective leadership, governance, resource mobilization, and digital transformation in the context of African HEIs.
2. Identification of actionable strategies and best practices for immediate implementation.
3. Networking opportunities for potential collaborations and partnerships.
4. Development of a collective commitment to drive positive change in African higher education.

Course Fee:

$950 per participant(excluding hotel accommodation)

 

Methodology

The workshop has adopted a strategic methodology that will include effective approaches, such as the use of case studies, focused group discussions, experiential learning (case studies from universities in various regions in Africa), presentations, and sharing of ideas, knowledge, and skills.  The participants will have the opportunity to engage in dialogues with peers on the various challenges at their universities and map out strategies to overcome them.

Summary of the Course Content

1. Leadership in Higher Education

1. • Define the characteristics of effective and transformational leadership in the context of HEIs.
   • Discuss the importance of fostering leadership skills among academic and administrative staff.
   • Develop Leadership Skills for HEI Professionals
   • Case Studies: Successful Leadership Models in the contexts of universities in Africa

 

2. Governance in Higher Education

1. • Analyze the role of governance structures in ensuring accountability, transparency, and efficient decision-making.
   • Explore models of governance that align with the unique challenges and opportunities faced by African HEIs.
   • Best Practices Showcase: Governance Models from Successful HEIs

 

3. Resource mobilisation

1. • Examine the current state of resource mobilization in African HEIs.
   • Understand Resource Mobilization Systems, the Donor Environment, Donor Characteristics and Expectations
   • Key Observations and Elements in Formulating Convincing Proposals for Resource Mobilization
   • Strategic Models for Sustainable Resource Mobilization
   • Discuss strategies for diversifying funding sources, including public-private-philanthropic partnerships, alumni engagement, and international collaborations.

 

4. Digital transformation

1. • Assess the current level of digitalization in African HEIs and identify gaps.
   • Explore the role of e-learning, online platforms, and data analytics in improving the overall quality of education.
   • Critical steps needed to digitally transform HEIs in Africa
   • The confluence of Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity
   • Case Studies: Successful Integration of Technology in Education

About the Organization

The Association of African Universities (AAU) is an international non-governmental organisation set up by the universities in Africa to promote cooperation among them and between them and the international academic community. With over 400 members across the African continent, AAU is the largest and most comprehensive organization representing Universities and Higher Education bodies in Africa. It is also the apex organization and forum for consultation, exchange of information, and cooperation among institutions of higher education in Africa, and represents the voice of higher education in Africa on regional and international bodies ,and supports networking by institutions of higher education in teaching, research, information exchange, and dissemination. The AAU, with headquarters in Accra, Ghana, was founded in 1967, following recommendations made at an earlier conference organized by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Antananarivo, Madagascar in September 1962 for the formation of such an apex organization. The mission of the AAU is to raise the quality of higher education in Africa and strengthen its contribution to African development by fostering collaboration among its member institutions.

Contact:  mejuru@aau.org | +233552062716

BANK DETAILS FOR PAYMENTS

INTERNATIONAL BANK TRANSFER (ALL OTHER COUNTRIES)

Account Name: Association of African Universities

Bank Name: Standard Chartered Bank, High Street Branch, Accra, Ghana

Acc N#: 8700202448801

Swift Code: SCBLGHAC

 

ONLINE PAYMENT DETAILS

https://pay.aau.org/cbw-kigali-2024

 

GHANA CEDI ACCOUNT (GHANA ONLY)

Account Name: Association of African Universities

Name of Bank: Standard Chartered Bank, High Street Branch, Accra Acc N#: 0100100581500

Swift Code: SCBLGHAC

 

GHANA DOLLAR ACCOUNT (GHANA ONLY)

Account Name: Association of African Universities

Name of Bank: Standard Chartered Bank, High Street Branch, Accra Acc N#: 870-150-244-8800

Swift Code: SCBLGHAC