On February 22, 2018, Ibadan, Nigeria, the Pan African University for Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), organized the official graduation ceremony of its 3rd batch.

Enhanced by the presence of Her Excellency Pr. Sarah Anyang Agbor, Commissioner of the African Union in charge of Human Resources, Science and Technology (HRST) and Mrs. Essien Usendiah, Director Inspector and Monitoring, representing the National Universities Commission of Nigeria, this graduation ceremony was attended by many parents of students, representatives of local authorities, the Director of the Department of Education Human Resources, Science and Technology of the African Union Commission (AUC), the Rectorate of the Pan African University (PAU) as well as the presence of the Directors of other PAU institutes, including PAUSTI of Kenya and PAUGHSS of Cameroon.

The major events which marked this graduation ceremony were its opening by officials, the graduation ceremony for the graduates and award ceremony for the best Masters projects.

In her address, Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, on behalf of AUC Chairperson, His Excellency Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, thanked the Government of Nigeria, the University of Ibadan and the thematic partners for the considerable support they provide to secure young Africans training through PAU. She later expressed her joy at being in Ibadan, the city where she graduated with a Ph.D. Speaking to the graduates, she informed them that graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter in life, a new beginning where their success depends on the choices they make. These choices will certainly not be easy but through their resolve to thrive on their skills they will be able to transform Africa. She also stressed that their graduation should mark a new chapter in their relationship with PAU, as there are other opportunities the AU Commission has created for the young generation of Africans to tap including the African Union Youth Volunteers program. Finally, the Commissioner congratulated the academic and administrative staff of PAULESI for this achievement, which is in line with the African Union Agenda 2063, which aims at Africa's objectives for inclusive and sustainable development for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under Pan-Africanism and Africa Renaissance.

The second highlight of this ceremony was the graduation ceremony for the students. To this end, 50 Masters Degrees (33 Men and 17 Women) in Life and Earth Sciences were awarded to the graduates who completed their training in the following specialties:

- Plant breeding: 13 graduates, including 07 men and 06 women;

- Environmental management: 10 graduates including 07 men and 03 women;

- Oil Geosciences: 08 graduates including 06 Men and 2 Women;

- Mining Exploration: 06 graduates including 05 Men and 01 Woman;

- Reproductive and health sciences: 13 graduates, including 08 men and 05 women

This graduation ceremony was also an opportunity for PAULESI to hand over the first PAU Ph.Ds to two of its best students, Mr. MOLLA MIKIAS Biazen and Mr. AMARE Zerihum, both from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. They defended their doctoral theses within the required three-year period.

Finally, this ceremony was crowned by the award ceremony to the best 3 Masters research works conducted by::

- Mr. Zate Zewdneh Zana, Ethiopia, Plant Breeding Specialist;

- Ms. Anene Ogochukwu Nancy from Nigeria, geo-petroleum sciences specialty;

- Miss Abisola Olatubosun Yetunde from Nigeria, specialization Environmental Management.

For more informations, contact: Dr. Gilles Ogandaga Ndiaye, Senior Academic and Student Affairs Officer, OgandagaG@africa-union.org