Addis Ababa, 11th May 2018 - In preparation for the first pan African exhibition of education innovations, the Human Resources, Science and Technology Department of the African Union Commission (AUC) together with a representative from the Embassy of Senegal, held a meeting with key partners on 11th May 2018 at the AU headquarters. The meeting was called to apprise the partners of the concept and objectives of the Expo to be hosted by the Government of Senegal from 27-29 September,2018.

The Exhibition titled “Innovating Education in Africa Expo” is intended to bring together major innovators who have developed systems that facilitate enhanced access to education; improved quality of teaching and learning with commensurate improved performance and learning outcomes.

The partners involved so far, including ADEA, FAWE, EU Delegation to AU, ONE, Save the Children International, Ford Foundation, UNESCO-IICBA, USAID, GiZ and Plan International convened for the First Planning Meeting with Key Partners for the Innovating Education in Africa Expo.

The Acting Director of Human Resources, Science and Technology of the African Union Commission, Dr. Mahama Ouedraogo urged all participants to participate in finding innovations that will contribute to the realisation of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16-25). He expressed appreciation to partners for their mutual collaboration.

Dr. Beatrice Njenga, Head of Education Division of the African Union Commission stated that the Call for Submissions had been published on 9th May 2018, and the African Union Commission welcomed submissions from all over Africa. She stressed that the evaluation of submissions shall ensure balanced geographic representation across Africa, while also seeking to ensure that all education levels and formats are covered, from early childhood to tertiary levels, including TVET and Adult Education. She also emphasised the need to engage with private sector for the event as key players in the education eco-system.

Partners committed to supporting several aspects of the event, including publicising the Call for Submissions, identifying innovators, supporting awards for young innovators, and supporting outcome documents of the event such as the Education Innovators handbook. The partners mentioned the areas in which they are working with Member States, including in the areas of STEM, Women and Girls Education, TVET and Teacher Development.

It was agreed to convene the next meeting with key partners on 4th June 2018, when discussions will be centered around the event programme.

For additional information, please contact:

Mr. Nicholas Ouma, Senior Youth Advisor, Human Resource, Science and Technology, African Union Commission, E-mail: OumaN@africa-union.org

Media enquiries:

Mrs. Rahel Akalewold, Directorate of Information and Communication, AU Commission; E-mail: rahela@africa-union.org

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission
Learn more at: http://www.au.int