The Pan African University took part in the recently concluded China-Africa-UNESCO High-Level Dialogue on Cooperation in Education and Cultural Heritage Protection, held in Beijing from September 5th to 8th, 2024. The Vice Rector of the Pan African University, representing the institution, joined global leaders and scholars to discuss key areas of collaboration in education and cultural heritage protection.

Organized by Beijing Normal University (BNU), in partnership with the Ministry of Education of China, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, and UNESCO, the event was a central feature of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The dialogue aimed to bolster triangular cooperation among China, Africa, and UNESCO in preparation for achieving development goals leading to 2030.

A notable moment at the event was the participation of the Vice Rector in a thematic discussion on “Teacher Capacity Building and Improving the Quality of Basic Education”, where academic leaders from both China and Africa shared innovative strategies for improving educational outcomes across regions. The focus of the session was on fostering stronger partnerships in education, teacher training, and educational reform between the two regions.

Another significant highlight was the launch of the next phase of the China-Africa Deans of Education Forum, a platform dedicated to building sustainable networks between Schools of Education at major universities across Africa and China. This forum represents a unique South-South learning initiative, designed to facilitate the exchange of educational practices and ideas between these two regions.

During the event, the Vice Rector also had the honor of joining Prof. Yu Jihong, President of Beijing Normal University, in unveiling the plaque for the newly established China-Africa Teacher Education Centre (CATEC). This initiative, led by BNU, focuses on enhancing teacher education and capacity-building efforts in both China and Africa. The unveiling ceremony was witnessed by dignitaries including Ministers of Education from several African and Chinese nations, UNESCO representatives, and top university officials.

The China-Africa-UNESCO High-Level Dialogue was designed to foster collaboration in key areas, including:

• Enhancing Cooperation in education and cultural heritage protection.
• Facilitating Policy Dialogues to promote strategic alignment and mutual understanding.
• Developing Action Plans for sustainable cooperation among China, Africa, and UNESCO.

With the theme “Jointly Promoting Education Development and Cultural Heritage Protection in Africa”, the event gathered participants from across the globe, including government officials, policymakers, educators, and experts in cultural heritage protection. The discussions set the stage for concrete actions and partnerships aimed at advancing education and cultural heritage preservation, in line with global development goals.

Expected Outcomes of the Dialogue:

• Strengthened tripartite cooperation between China, Africa, and UNESCO.
• Enhanced policy exchange and collaboration to address educational and cultural challenges.
• Development of long-term strategies to advance education and heritage preservation in Africa.

The Vice Rector noted that the Pan African University’s participation in this high-level forum reinforced the institution’s commitment to advancing education in Africa through global cooperation. The continued partnership with Chinese institutions and the creation of platforms such as CATEC will help shape the future of education in both Africa and China, with long-lasting impacts on teacher education and quality learning across the continent.

This dialogue reaffirms the importance of shared efforts to promote inclusive, high-quality education and cultural heritage protection, setting the groundwork for stronger partnerships and more resilient educational systems in Africa.