LAUNCH OF AfDB 45 million USD GRANT IN SUPPORT OF THE PAN-AFRICAN UNIVERSITY PROJECT OF THE AFRICAN UNION

Addis Ababa, 30 October 2013 – Dr. Martial De-Paul Ikounga, Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology (HRST) of the African Union, and Dr. Corbin Michel Guedegbe, Human Development Department of the African Development Bank (AfDB) both officiated the launching of the AFDB grant support to the Pan-African University ( PAU) on 30 October 2013 at the AUC headquarters, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The grant to the PAU estimated at 45 million USD is aimed at operationalizing for the next five years governance at central and country levels as well as academic and research activities in three of the five thematic institutes. The institutes include: the PAU institute for basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI in Kenya), PAU institute for life and earth Science (PAULESI in Nigeria) and PAU institute for governance, Humanities, and Social Science (PAUGHSS in Cameroon). The two remaining hubs in Northern Africa and Southern Africa will be initially supported in the overall project management and implementation through the PAU rectorate and support to AUC HRST.
PAU support is in line with existing institutional frameworks of the AFDB which include the ten year strategy (2013-2022) and Human Capital strategy in finalization process highlighting regional integration, skills and technology.

The launching today was witnessed by senior officials from host countries of the PAU institutes, Rectors and Directors of the PAU hosting Universities, Lead thematic Partners ( Germany with GIZ, KFW and DAAD); Sweden with SIDA ; Japan ( with JICA); India. Development partners included the European Union UNESCO, and the AFDB Ethiopian office. Academic Scientific organizations were represented by the Association of African Universities (AAU) and OSSREA. The occasion was also graced by members of the high level Panel of the PAU as well as some officials of the African Union Commission.

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