Dr Juliet Thondhlana, UNESCO Chair in International Development and Education, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom

Based at the University of Nottingham, School of Education UK Campus, while also having a presence through its offices at the China Campus in Ningbo City and Malaysia Campus, this Chair brings together stakeholders from academic institutions, industry, government, the private sector, civil society and UN agencies to seek and contribute to sustainable solutions through research and impact work within the Global North and Global South, but with a special focus on Africa and Asia. Also coordinates the work of The Association of African Universities Europe Regional Office.

For more information on opportunities for engagement through the AAU, please visit the AAU website or contact Dr Thondhlana directly.

Dr Pia Stalder, UNESCO Chair in Responsible Global Management, Berne University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland

The climate emergency, multiple crises, the conflicts between countries and the decline of multilateralism hinder the path towards sustainable development. But global cooperation is exactly what such situations require. Education and the development of new knowledge in the field of global management play an essential role in the co-construction of a more sustainable future on a global scale. The UNESCO Chair for Higher Education, Research, and Innovation in Responsible Global Management (the UNESCO Chair in Responsible Global Management for short) – is intended to promote critical insights in this field. The Chair (as of 2024) consists of a partnership of 12 higher education and research institutions, six in Europe (Switzerland, France, Romania, Denmark) and six in Africa (Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Kenya).

For more information, please visit the Chair website: UNESCO Chair for Higher Education, Research, and Innovation in Responsible Global Management.

Chris P. Udochukwu Njoku, Technology and Education Innovation Specialist, University of Nigeria

From University of Nigeria, my research team (on ICTs in education in Africa) has begun discussions with the Chair on AI in Education (Beijing Normal University) for a week-long train-the-trainer workshop in June 2025 on use of AI and OER to enhance learning and teaching in higher education in Nigeria.

UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competences - Conference 2025

The UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competences hosted by Stellenbosch University will organise its 2nd Annual Conference in Rabat, Morocco from 29 September - 3 October 2025.

More information

Contact: Dr Darla Deardoff, UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competence based At Stellenbosch University. UNESCO-icc@su.san.ac

2025 International Conference on Emerging Trends in Networks and Computer Communications (ETNCC)

Organised by the UNESCO Chair on Secure High-performance Computing for Higher Education and Research, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in a hybrid mode from 5-7 August 2025, at NUST, Windhoek, Namibia.

More information

Contact: Professor Singh, Dharm

Call for Nominations and Applications to be part of the AAU 2025-2029 Governing Board

The Association of African Universities is calling for nominations from the members of the Association for the positions of President, Vice-Presidents and Members of the Governing Board to serve for the period 2025–2029. Duly accredited representatives of members of the Association in good standing (NOT OWING ANY MEMBERSHIP FEES) are therefore invited to submit their candidacy or make nominations for election to the office of President, Vice-President or Members of the Governing Board of the Association by completing this online form no later than 15 May 2025. 

As stipulated in the Byelaws, accredited representatives of member institutions who submit their candidacy or make nominations are to be seconded by at least five members of the Association (for the positions of President or Vice-Presidents) and at least two members of the Association (for the position of a member of the Governing Board). Representatives seconding candidates for the various positions are also to fill a separate online form no later than 15 May 2025. 

Kindly refer to the Rules and General Conditions in accordance with the AAU Byelaws as well as all other relevant information.

Shaping the Future of Data Ethics: EDI Town Hall 2025

On behalf of the Ethical Data Initiative (EDI) at the TUM Think Tank and the University of Exeter, we would like to invite you to participate in the first annual multi-stakeholder town hall meeting titled “Shaping the Future of Data Ethics: EDI Town Hall 2025.”

The event will take place on 31 March 2025, at the TUM Think Tank, Munich School of Politics and Public Policy, Richard-Wagner-Straße 1, 80333 Munich. The event and workshop will bring together EDI Affiliates, selected experts and key stakeholders to discuss the future of research and data ethics, while collaboratively shaping plans for our activities and community. The programme will include updates on ongoing EDI activities in education, policy, and research, as well as insights from leading data practitioners, global institutions, and policy networks.

Keynote speakers include, Hilary Hanahoe, Secretary General of the Research Data Alliance (RDA) and Xiao-Li Meng, Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Data Science Review and former Dean of the Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Parts of the event will be hybrid; however, in-person participation is available.

View full details

For more information and enquiries, kindly contact Kate at kathryn.bailey@ethicaldatainitiative.org

Annual Conference and Training Program

The AAU in collaboration with the University of Nottingham (UoN) is organising a maiden Annual Conference and Training Program to provide a platform for sharing best practices, discussing emerging trends, and building capacity in the financial management of higher education institutions. The financial management landscape in higher education institutions across Africa is evolving rapidly, driven by the increasing demands for transparency, accountability, and efficiency.

As key financial leaders, Bursars, Accountants, Directors of Finance, and Internal Auditors, together with Registrars, University Administrators, and other strategic leaders play a pivotal and coordinated role in ensuring the sound and sustainable financial health of their institutions. This workshop seeks to support these professionals in navigating the dynamic challenges of financial management.

Date: 28 April–2 May 2025

Venue: University of Nottingham-Nottingham, UK

Early bird registration is: US$2,700. This covers accommodation, group lunch and other conference materials for the five (5) days. All other costs (visa fees, air and land transportation, etc.) are borne by the participants

View more details and registration for participation

Call for papers - Bridging Borders, Inspiring Solutions: Internationalization for a Resilient and Inclusive Future

The International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) is delighted to announce a call for papers ahead of its 27th Annual Conference, set to take place in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape, from 26–29 August 2025. The theme for the conference is “Bridging Borders, Inspiring Solutions: Internationalization for a Resilient and Inclusive Future”.

IEASA invites academics, researchers, professionals, practitioners, educators, students, innovators, and leaders in international higher education to contribute to this conference. Diverse perspectives and insights are encouraged including informed opinions or thought pieces, research findings and reflections, best practice examples and lived experiences, and innovative plans and strategies. Contributions are invited for parallel sessions, poster sessions and workshops.

For Parallel and poster sessions, please submit your proposal online by Friday, 28 February 2025.

For Workshops, please submit your proposal online by Friday, 28 February 2025.

View more information or direct all conference-related queries to the email address: admin@ieasa.studysa.org

The Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) II programme 

The Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) II programme continues the collaboration between UNEP CTCN and the Adaptation Fund to boost innovation in climate adaptation technologies. It is focused on implementing 60 projects across developing countries, with special attention to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as despite contributing only 3.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, these countries suffer the most from climate change impacts and are particularly vulnerable due to their geographic, economic, and structural challenges. It provides grants up to US$ 250,000 to different stakeholders among others and universities for the implementation of Climate solutions.

AFCIA II aims to test, scale up, and secure financing for innovative, transformative, and locally-led climate adaptation technologies. It also seeks to address the main challenges of developing and transferring climate adaptation technologies which include financial constraints, inadequate policies and regulations, as well as limited organisational capacity.

Read more about the program and how to apply

Survey

The AAU, in collaboration with the Europe Regional Office (AAU-ERO), hosted by the University of Nottingham, UK, developed a survey that seeks to understand the research management landscape in African universities, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of research units within institutions through insights gathered from higher education and research institutions in Africa. We write to kindly request your support in filling out this survey to help establish baseline indicators to improve research administration and management in Africa.

View the survey

For further information, contact the Director of Research and Programs, AAU, Professor Frederick Ato Armah, via email at faarmah@aau.org or Dr. Agyemang Okyere Darko via aodarko@aau.org