The Pan African University Council held its 10^th Ordinary Session from 6 to 7 October 2025, at the Yaounde Conference Centre, Cameroon.

Chaired by Prof. Kenneth Matengu, President of the PAU Council, the Session was attended by a significant number of statutory members, including Prof. Amany El-Sharif, Vice-President of the PAU Council; Prof. Saidou Madougou, Director of the Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Department of the African Union Commission, representing Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, the newly appointed Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation; Directors of PAU Institutes; Rectors of host universities; as well as representatives of PAU staff, students, and the academia.

The Session aimed at reviewing institutional progress, approve strategic decisions regarding the functioning of PAU highest governing bodies and chart the war forward for the expansion of AU’s flagship academic institution.

Top on the agenda of this two-day meeting were the review and adoption of the 2025 Progress Report of the institution; the approval of newly appointed Senate and Council members; the presentation of the report of the 6^th Ordinary Session of the PAU Senate; and the endorsement of new partnerships and collaborations.

At the opening of deliberations, the Council extended congratulations to Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona on his election as Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of the African Union Commission. Members also commended Prof. Kenneth Matengu on his election as President of the Association of African Universities (AAU) and Chair of the Council of the Association of Commonwealth Universities Council. Likewise, Prof. Amany El-Sharif was congratulated on her re-election as Vice-President of the PAU Council and her appointment as Vice-President of the Africa School of Governance in Rwanda.

The Council welcomed new members, including Mr. Ergueibi Abdulah Moulud, representing the STC-EST Vice-Chair; Prof. Mubo Sonibare, Director of PAULESI; and Prof. Marie Mimesse Me Fame, Deputy Director of PAUGHSS.

The appointment of new Senate members for the 2026–2028 term was also approved.

Members expressed their satisfaction with the effective functioning of the PAU’s governance bodies, including the Senate, the Institutes’ Boards, and the Council itself.

Prof. Jean Koulidiati, Rector of the Pan African University, was commended for initiating the accreditation programme of the PAU with international bodies, as the Council believes this initiative will have a positive impact on the University’s global ranking.

In its concluding remarks, the Council authorized the Rector to continue negotiations with partners and to finalize pending Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to ensure their prompt implementation.

Other directives included the establishment of a Special Ad Hoc Committee composed of the PAU Council President, Vice-President, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, and the PAU Rector. The Committee’s mission will be to develop a work plan and timeline for engaging the AUC leadership on key challenges aimed at strengthening the functioning of PAU’s governing bodies and structures.

Also, the Council stressed the need to enhance visibility on PAU’s progress and Council decisions. 

Finally, members of the PAU Council expressed their gratitude to the Republic of Cameroon for hosting and facilitating the 10^th Ordinary Session and commended the Rector for the successful organization and smooth conduct of the meeting.