The 19th RUFORUM AGM Week

A Brief on the 19th RUFORUM AGM Week #RUFORUMAGM2023

Welcome to the 19th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of RUFORUM. This year, we are hosted by the West and Central Africa region, for the first time, by Cameroon under the Distinguished Patronage of His Excellency Paul Biya, Head of State and President of the Republic of Cameroon. We deeply thank the Government and people of Cameroon as well as our hosts the five RUFORUM member universities in Cameroon, that is, University of Bamenda, University of Ngaoundere, University of Dschang, University of Buea and University of Maroua, for tirelessly working to host us all. Mercibeaucoup, thank you very much.

The theme of this year’s AGM is “Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa”. This theme is informed by a number important mutually interacting factors that collectively, are affecting the growth and progress of the continent. The economic outlook for our continent in 2023 by the African Development Bank and other global apex development financial institutions was positive. However, Africa’s economic growth has since then deaccelerated, and is now projected to be lower than the previously projected rate of 4.1%. Agriculture a key sector, continues to be affected by both natural and human induced factors. However, compared to growth produced in other parts of the economy, growth in agriculture is two to three times more successful reducing poverty. Agriculture continues to face serious threats from climate. Studies by the United Nation’s Convention to Combat Desertification show that Africa accounts for all 44% of severe droughts recorded globally in the last 50 years, causing economic losses of more than USD 70 billion. In 2022,an estimated loss of US$ 8.5 billion in economic damages was experienced due to climate change. Clearly, climate change and weather variability, remains one of the grand challenges of the 21st century for Africa and the World, because it affects key livelihood and strategic areas of emerging economies. Unemployment facing Africa’s dominant demographic the youth, raises questions about education, skilling and jobs creation.

While inclusion and diversity, the underpinning for an equal society, remains challenging. The question then to academia, researchers, development practitioners and policy is, “what step must we take right now to address the challenges to our current and future generations?” Our resounding response as RUFORUM is in line with what Malcolm X said many years ago, “education
and research for development are the passports to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” This AGM is therefore organized around four thematic areas that capture key actions needed to engage students, academics, scientists, policy makers, finance institutions, development practitioners, private sector, public and quasi-public institutions and other education ecosystem actors in generating solutions for our contemporary development challenges.

This year’s AGM will consist of different convenings. These include pre-AGM events, side events, the Business Meeting, capacity building and mentoring sessions, scientific conference, poster sessions and exhibitions by member universities and other partners. Additionally high-level policy dialogues with Ministers, Senior Government Leaders and Development Partners will be held. Find more details in the attachment below

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