INVITATION TO MEDIA
What: Press Conference on the upcoming inauguration of the Pan African University (PAU) Council
When: Tuesday, 23 June 2015 at 2:30pm
Where: Media Briefing Room 1, AUC Conference Center
Who: H.E Dr. Martial De Paul Ikounga, the Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology
Why: To share vital information on the role of the PAU Council, and on the implementation of the Pan African University as an AU flagship.
Background
The January 2015 Summit of the African Union elected the President and Vice President of the PAU Council, and directed the AUC to constitute the broader membership of the Council. The inaugural meeting of the PAU Council will be held on Thursday, 25 June 2015, at the AU Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa. The Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, H.E Erastus Mwencha, will deliver the inaugural address on behalf of the Chairperson.
ThePAU governing Council is a provision of the PAU Statute, which was adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in 2010.It is the highest governing body of the University, with a membership of 28 officials drawn from a broad spectrum of stakeholders. These include representatives of the AU Commission, Member States, Regional Economic Communities, the University Rectorate, staff, students, host universities, partners, academia, the private sector, the African diaspora and civil society.
The PAU governing Council has the primary duty of issuing all PAU rules and regulations, as well as approving the University’s strategic and operational plans, agreements, programs and budgets.The Council is also mandated toperform important oversight roles on academic activities, university management and administration, in addition to representing and furthering the general interests of the University.
The Pan African University project is the culmination of the efforts of the African Union to contribute to the revitalization of higher education and research in Africa, by nurturing quality and exemplifying excellence. The strategic objective of the PAU is the development of institutions of excellence in key areas of Science, Technology, Innovation, Humanities, Social Sciences and Governance, which would constitute the bedrock of an African pool of world-class higher education and research. This would usher in a new generation of African leaders with capacity to optimally harness available human and material resources towards a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa.

For further information and media contact:

Mr. Adiatou Fatty,
Pan African University
Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology
FattyA@africa-union.org; Tel: 0912661953

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke,
Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC
molalett@africa-union.org; Tel: 0911630631