Pan African University (PAU) Strengthens Peace-Building Partnerships with Hiroshima University

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November 26, 2024

Officials from the Pan African University (PAU), on 25-26 November 2024, took part in a symbolic Africa Day event hosted by the Hiroshima University. According to the organizers, the event was an opportunity to further strengthen the existing cooperation between African-Japanese academic institutions of higher learning. Led by PAU Rector Prof. Jean Koulidiati, the PAU delegation to Hiroshima included, directors from PAU's continental network of institutes who presented the AU university programs and projects.

In his address, Prof. Koulidiati emphasized PAU's success in fostering pan-African integration through its innovative approach to student mobility and multicultural learning environments. The university's entrepreneurship initiatives, particularly evident in its operational hubs in Ibadan, Nairobi, and Tlemcen, showcase its dedication to combining theoretical knowledge with practical innovation.

The institute directors equally presented their achievements, showcasing PAU's continental impact. PAUWES Director Prof. Abdellatif Zerga reported training 660 students with 35% female representation across 45 African Union member states. PAUSTI demonstrated significant research output with 843 publications and 15 patents, while PAUGHSS, represented by the Deputy Director Dr. Gabsa Lidwina, highlighted its role in promoting peace and sustainable development. PAULESI outlined its programs addressing environmental and health challenges through specialized courses.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Mitsuo Ochi, President of Hiroshima University, underlined the current global challenges, stressing on ongoing conflicts in nearly 60 countries and the existence of approximately 12,000 atomic bombs worldwide. He highlighted the universities' crucial role in developing future leaders with diverse perspectives and deep mutual understanding, particularly relevant following the G7 Hiroshima Summit's peace initiatives.

At the heart of the event, three distinguished leaders, notably Dr. Mitsuo Ochi, President of Hiroshima University, Prof. Jean Koulidiati of PAU, and Prof. Meghachou Mourad of the University of Abou Bekr Belkaid Tlemcen, signed a significant declaration reiterating their commitment to the University Presidents for Peace initiative. The declaration emphasized two key areas: the formation of partnerships to promote peace and sustainability, and the development of bilateral exchange programs for students and young researchers.

The two-day program featured tours of Hiroshima University's advanced facilities, including the Research Institute for Synchrotron Radiation Science. Participants also visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, an experience that deeply resonated with the gathering's themes of peace-building through education and international cooperation.

Hiroshima's transformation from a site of atomic devastation to a global symbol of peace and resilience provided a powerful backdrop for discussions about educational cooperation and peaceful development. The African delegation's

presence in Hiroshima underscored the universal importance of peace-building through academic collaboration and cultural exchange.

The event culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Hiroshima University and the African Union, represented by the PAU, laying the groundwork for enhanced academic exchange and joint research initiatives.

For further information, please contact:

1. Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission and Communication Adviser, AU Permanent Observer Mission to the UN | Mobile: +1 (347) 812-7195 / WhatsApp: +251911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org