The sixth meeting of the Pan African University Council took place on Tuesday, 25 January 2022, by videoconference.  It was chaired by the new President of the PAU Council, Professor Kenneth Matengu and it was attended by the new Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), Professor Mohammed Belhocine.  After quorum confirmation, Prof. Matengu welcomed and thanked all the participants for attending the meeting. He also welcomed the Commissioner for ESTI and expressed his willingness to work hand and hand with him and with all the members for the advancement of the PAU Agenda.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for ESTI congratulated the incoming president of the PAU Council and expressed deep appreciation to the Vice president of the PAU Council who will soon hand-over powers to the incoming Vice-President following the election during the upcoming AU executive Council meeting.

He then recalled the reasons for the creation of the Pan African University, its current status and its contribution to the development of higher education on the continent. He also drew a link between the establishment of PAU and the achievement of several global and African Union strategic agendas including the 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development goals and AU Agenda 2063. 

He laid special emphasis on the challenges faced by PAU and called the audience to reflect collectively on how best to steer PAU to achieve its objectives. Recognizing the daunting task to meet PAU challenges, he reaffirmed his commitment to “contribute to resolve these challenges and build the PAU to become the centre of excellence in higher education and research that meets the 21^st century demand”.

The meeting was also marked by the presentation of the 2021 PAU report by Dr. Mahama Ouedraogo, Director of ESTI Department. Several issues aroused from the presentation and were thoroughly discussed by the Council. They include, amongst others, the renewal of the Council members, the status of implementation of the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, already at mid-term stage, increasing advocacy with the Commission for the recruitment of administrative and academic staff at the Pan African University. During their deliberations, members of the Council expressed concern that the PAU rectorate does not have a substantive rector, a situation which is affecting the operations of the university.

Following discussions, the Council thanked the Rectorate of the Pan African University for the sound organization of the meeting though understaffed.

The meeting ended with closing remarks by the Chair.

For further information please contact:

1. Ms. Claudette Chancelle BILAMPASSI MOUTSATSI| ESTI Department, African Union Commission | Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail:BilampassiC@africa-union.org