Ibadan, Nigeria — The Pan African University (PAU) has opened its First International Conference at the University of Ibadan. The three-day event, which runs from November 19-21, 2024, brings together researchers and academics across Africa under the theme "Strengthening Africa's Future Through Innovative Research."

Setting the tone for this historic gathering, the Director of PAULESI (Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute) opened the conference with a welcome address highlighting the transformative power of innovative research and its potential to shape Africa's future. He emphasized PAU's role in creating high-quality continental institutions that promote training, research, and innovation within Africa to meet the continent's developmental needs.

Building on this foundation, Professor Jean Koulidiati, Rector of the Pan African University, delivered an opening speech that outlined PAU's commitment to strengthening Africa's capacity through innovative research. He detailed how PAU has been investing in human capital development and research that addresses pressing issues such as science, technology, healthcare, agricultural governance, water, energy, and climate change.

Reinforcing the importance of this initiative, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration of the University of Ibadan, representing the Vice Chancellor, emphasized that innovative research results in transformation through a better understanding of critical issues. He highlighted how the conference's agenda aligns with the African Union's science, technology, and innovation strategy, which places these fields at the epicenter of Africa's socio-economic development.

Expanding on these themes, the first keynote address was delivered by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic of the University of Ibadan, who focused on how innovative research catalyzes the African Union Agenda 2063. She emphasized that innovation in academic contexts involves exploring new perspectives and challenging existing assumptions, highlighting African researchers' demonstrated abilities to contribute meaningfully to global challenges.

Further enriching the opening ceremony, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya, delivered the second keynote address via video message, encouraging participants to network, learn from each other, and explore new grounds in research advancement.

To achieve these ambitious goals, the conference program spans four critical areas: Water, Climate Change and Environmental Management; Health Sciences, Biotechnology, Agricultural and Veterinary Research; Engineering, Mathematics and Geosciences; and Governance, Humanities and Policy Development. Over the course of the conference, more than 200 participants will engage in concurrent sessions featuring research presentations, innovation displays, and collaborative discussions.

To maximize the impact of these diverse perspectives, the conference structure promotes active knowledge exchange through plenary sessions, research presentations, and dedicated networking periods, enabling participants to share findings, build collaborations, and develop new research initiatives that address Africa's development goals.

The Pan African University, an African Union Commission initiative, advances research, knowledge sharing, and innovation across Africa. Through its five regional institutes, PAU promotes excellence in higher education and research for continental development.