AWAU Concludes 11th Annual Conference & 13th AGM.

The Association of West African Universities (AWAU) has officially closed its 11th Annual Conference and 13th Annual General Meeting in Freetown. The three-day gathering convened education leaders from across the region under the theme, "Research Culture: Bridging Innovation with Quality Assurance in West Africa."

Delivering the formal closing address, Vice President H.E. Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh challenged West African universities to reclaim their role as engines of development. He positioned higher education institutions as critical players in navigating current regional challenges, including democratic pressures, economic strains, and diminishing external development financing.

Dr. Jalloh traced higher education's trajectory across the region, acknowledging past glory as centers of excellence and critical thinking. He noted subsequent declines due to political instability and reduced state funding, yet praised institutions for maintaining academic standards through resilience.

"We stand at a critical juncture," the Vice President stated. "Universities must reposition themselves as architects of regional integration and innovation."

Dr. Jalloh outlined concrete steps for revitalizing tertiary education. Strengthening research capacity topped the agenda, followed by curriculum harmonization and enhanced quality assurance mechanisms. He called for deeper collaboration under ECOWAS frameworks, including standardized tertiary education systems and joint research priorities.

The Vice President assured stakeholders of the government's unwavering commitment to higher education as a development pillar. His remarks signalled continuity in prioritizing human capital development amid fiscal constraints affecting the region.

Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, expressed profound appreciation to the Vice President for his steadfast support. She reaffirmed education's status as a national priority under President Dr. Julius Maada Bio's leadership.

Dr. Wurie spotlighted achievements from the Free Quality School Education Programme (2018-2023) as foundational progress. She positioned human capital development centrally within the government's 2023–2028 agenda, emphasizing strengthened research capacity, quality assurance mechanisms, knowledge exchange platforms, and continental collaboration.

Secretary General of AWAU, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, commended the Vice President's substantive address, describing it as a call to action for African-centered higher education reform. He praised the address for challenging institutions to develop innovative, context-appropriate approaches to transformation.

Prof. Egbewole extended appreciation to the Minister, vice-chancellors, delegates, and stakeholders for robust participation throughout the conference proceedings. His formal declaration closed the 11th Annual AWAU Conference, marking another milestone in regional academic cooperation.

The gathering underscored collective commitment to reshaping West Africa's higher education landscape through research excellence and quality assurance, critical elements for sustainable development across the region.

Correspondent-Richard Williams

Ministry of Technical and Higher Education

Tel: +23203086143