Let’s step up investment in research for accelerated growth
The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has charged African countries to step up their investment in research, especially in areas aligned with the continent’s development.
He said they must also scale up advanced training programmes to meet the evolving demands of their respective economies.
"Furthermore, we need to expand our innovative ecosystems to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and creativity to further accelerate our progress, drive economic growth, improve livelihoods and enhance our global competitiveness.
"The continent is counting on all of us as policymakers, university leaders, centre leaders, development partners and stakeholders of African higher education to implement strategies and roadmaps," Dr Apaak said.
The deputy minister, who was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE) @10 conference in Accra on Wednesday, further said that the ACE model would continue to be at the forefront of research, innovation and knowledge generation to facilitate the continent’s transformation.
The three-day programme was attended by the Ministers of Education and Finance,
Vice-Chancellors, researchers and development partners, among others, from across the continent.
Continuity
Dr Apaak said all ACE programmes must continue into the next decade to unlock talent, transfer knowledge and empower the African and global economy with African talent, research, knowledge transfers and enterprise.
"Let us harness the momentum generated during this conference to drive meaningful change to propel Africa's development.
"Together, we can create a brighter future for Africa's higher education sector and by extension, the continent's economic and social development,” he said.
The deputy minister further extended appreciation to governments and the various stakeholders for the programme's success.
"We also acknowledge the tireless efforts of the implementing partners, including the Vice-Chancellors, the centre leaders and teams from the various universities who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to supporting and enabling the transformation of postgraduate educational initiatives under the ACE programme.
“Together, let us sustain the bright flaming torches of the 80 Centres of Excellence in Africa and Djibouti, and in the next decade, let us strive for even more vibrant centres," he said.
Dr Apaak described the programme's contribution to strengthening postgraduate education and driving real-world impact in critical fields such as health, STEM, and culture as remarkable.
"The session on Women in STEM and Leadership energised the audience and really accelerated the conversation on breaking the barriers confronting women in their bid to play their part in development.
"The session with Vice-Chancellors also reaffirmed the need to ensure financial sustainability of ACE centres, even as that phase of the World Bank support comes to an end," he emphasised.
Commitment
The Secretary of the Association of African Universities (AAU), Prof. Olusola Oyewole, said apart from reflecting on the impact and achievements of ACE, participants had also reaffirmed their collective commitment to sustain and scale up progress made so far.
