The hybrid event was chaired by ARUA Board Chair, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University.  In his opening remarks, Prof. Nawangwe was elated that the launch was taking place and congratulated ARUA Secretary-General and all who had worked so hard to achieve this. Prof. Nawangwe indicated that the Strategic Plan has come up at a time where African universities have been labelled as less competitive and there was the need to significantly enhance the quantity and quality of research they do. Prof. Nawangwe concluded by saying that African Universities needed to double up in the research that they do, and he was optimistic that the Strategic Plan will provide the necessary direction.

Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Secretary-General of ARUA, in his presentation said that the Strategic Plan is expected to guide ARUA move towards achieving its vision which is to make African researchers and institutions globally competitive while contributing to the generation of knowledge for socio-economic transformation in Africa.  He acknowledged the cooperation the network had received from former vice-chancellors of the University of Cape Town and the University of Witwatersrand, Prof. Max Price and Prof. Adam Habib respectively; as well as current vice-chancellors who continue to support ARUA. 

Prof. Aryeetey elaborated on the four (4) areas that ARUA has been pursuing its vision and upon which the Strategic Plan has focused. The areas are (i) enhanced research, (ii) enhanced graduate support and training, (iii) institutional capability for research management, and (iv) Advocacy and Leverage. For each of these focus areas, Prof. Aryeetey showed how ARUA intends to meet these objectives, most of which centre around ARUA’s Centres of Excellence model. Some of the more specific goals in the Strategic Plan include the establishment of the African University, establishing strong links with industry and other sectors, producing good quality PhD graduates, ensuring 75 percent of faculty in member universities have at least a PhD, advocating for funding and increasing the number of Centres of Excellence.

Members of the Executive Committee of ARUA gave brief comments about the Strategic Plan. Prof. Sizwe Mabizela, Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University and Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who joined virtually indicated that they were excited about the Plan and what it meant for ARUA member universities. Prof. Mamokgethi Phakeng, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, sent in a recorded message as she was unable to join virtually. She was equally elated about the direction of the Strategic Plan.

The formal launch of the Strategic Plan was performed by Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, amid spontaneous applause from the audience. 

The vote of thanks was moved by ARUA Network Manager, Mrs Stella A. Amoa, who acknowledged the team who had worked on the document, Dr Brian Chicksen (University of Pretoria), Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Dr Emmanuel Adu-Danso and Dr Emmanuel Abbey, in addition to the staff of ARUA. Also acknowledged were partners, collaborators, stakeholders and friends of ARUA. 

The colourful ceremony had VCs and DVCs from member universities as well as representation from various ARUA partners including the Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY), Education Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities (The Guild), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Universitas 21 (U21), the University of Oslo, Africa CDC, The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) among others attending largely by zoom.  Participants attending the capacity building workshop and representatives from the University of Ghana and media organizations attended physically.

Please click here to access the Presentation Slides by Prof. Ernest Aryeetey

Please click here to access the ARUA Strategic Plan Document

Prelude documentary on the launch of the Strategic Plan

Zoom recording which captures all key speeches and entire proceedings

Photo Gallery