The African Forum for Research and Technology (AFRETEC) has pledged to strengthen collaborations among universities, marking a significant step towards promoting inclusive digital transformation across the continent. This commitment emerged from a two-day workshop hosted by the University of Rwanda (UR) from March 25 to 26, supported by the Mastercard Foundation through Carnegie Mellon University-Africa.
AFRETEC, unfolding as a transformative 10-year project, aims to catalyze inclusive digital growth through higher education and collaboration. Bringing together technology-focused universities from across Africa, the initiative seeks to bolster engineering and technology capacities in education, knowledge creation, and entrepreneurship.
The workshop served as a platform for presentations from African Centers of Excellence specializing in engineering and technology, fostering dynamic exchanges of collaboration experiences through panel sessions. Dr. Pierre Bakunzibake, the AFRETEC Project Lead at UR, emphasized the importance of enthusiastic collaborations among partners, discussing actionable strategies such as organizing research conferences and leveraging networking opportunities.
In pursuit of inclusivity, Bakunzibake advocated for reaching out to universities within and beyond the region to foster broader collaboration. Plans were outlined to intensify efforts towards addressing societal challenges through impactful actions and increasing research output.
Reflecting on the workshop's outcomes, Prof. Jesang Hutchinson, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Enterprise at the University of Nairobi, stressed the significance of sharing experiences and strengthening collaborations within the research and innovation ecosystem. Assoc. Prof. Telesphore Kabera, Director of Research and Innovation at UR-CST, highlighted the potency of interdisciplinary research in tackling complex challenges, emphasizing the value brought by collaboration among universities.
Assoc. Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura, the project's research lead, elucidated AFRETEC's thematic pillars and strategic goals, underlining the pivotal role of workshops and collaborative efforts in promoting research among African universities and private institutions.
The workshop drew participation from representatives of esteemed institutions including the University of Nairobi, American University of Cairo, University of Lagos, Carnegie Mellon University-Africa, and Directors of African Centers of Excellence. Directors of Research and Consultancy from private universities in Rwanda also contributed to the enriching discourse, signalling a collective commitment to advancing collaborative research efforts across the continent.
Article by Nyokabi Wanjiku
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