EU-Africa Summit: Universities call for emphasis on higher education and research

The seventh European Union-African Union Summit takes place on 24-25 November in Luanda, Angola. As such, the AAU-EUA joint statement highlights that exchange and cooperation in higher education and research must be a pillar of the two regions’ strategic partnership.

Therefore the African Union and the European Union need to join forces to create the higher education and research capacities that Africa requires to develop its societies and economies, and to engage in mutually beneficial partnerships with Europe.

To this end, the two associations make three recommendations:

1. Recognise the transversal importance of university cooperation and continue to invest in it
2. Enable interregional exchange and cooperation to develop higher education and research systems
3. Focus on values-based partnerships

Welcoming the joint statement, Olusola Bandele Oyewole, AAU Secretary General, noted that:

“Higher education and research are crucial for enabling Africa’s growth and development, and for a mutually beneficial partnership with Europe. The African Union, European Union and national governments must include universities in their plans, and agree on more investment in research and education capacity building and collaboration.”

On behalf of EUA, Secretary General Amanda Crowfoot added that:

“Higher education and research collaboration are central to values-based innovation, and to economic and social development. This is indisputable. Africa-Europe higher education and research collaboration has experienced major growth in recent years, but given its potential, much more can be achieved.”

Download the joint statement