December 11, 2022 (ARTA, Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) held the Second Meeting of the Board of IGAD Council of Higher Education (Universities Forum) to review progresses in the implementation of the planned activities for 2022; and to adopt the action plan for 2023 as well as agree on theme and agenda for the Second IGAD Universities Forum expected to be held in June 2023.
On the behalf of IGAD Executive Secretary, Madam Fathia Alwan, Director for Health and Social Development Division, underlined that education is at the core of IGAD programmes.
She further, underlined that Higher Education in particular is one of the critical tools of skills and competencies development, regional integration and people to people interaction.
In addition, the Director also expressed her commitment to support strengthening of the network of IGAD universities. She also emphasised that IGAD will continue to sustain the common platform and facilitate exchanges.
“We want to listen to you and to guide us in the process. We will also make necessary efforts to pool resources together though success in this could take time. “She noted.
The meeting brought together Vice Chancellors/Presidents/Rectors of universities, one each from Djibouti University, Addis Ababa University, Jigjiga University, Somali National University, University of Nairobi, Juba University, Khartoum University, Ahfad University and Makerere University.
The key outcomes of the meeting are:
- reporting of the activities carried the IGAD Education Programme;
- clear directives of the activities and plans for the next two years; and
- agreement on the theme and Agenda for the Second Conference of IGAD Universities Forum.
The IGAD Universities Forum, which was held at Jigjiga University in April 2021 established the IGAD Council of Higher Education with an advisory Board consisting of Djibouti University, Addis Ababa University, University of Nairobi, Somali National University, University of Juba, University of Khartoum and Maker ere university.
The first meeting of the Board was held in Sudan at the University of Khartoum and the University of Khartoum is the current Chair of the Board.
It is to be remembered that the Djibouti Declaration on education adopted in 2017 urged IGAD to create a network of universities in the IGAD region to advice on quality and relevance of higher education.
