The inaugural Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence (CoRE) conference, held from September 29 to October 2, 2024, at Stellenbosch University, marked a major milestone in strengthening research ties between African and European institutions. Bringing together over 250 academics from 49 institutions across 27 countries, the event focused on fostering international collaboration to address shared global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and sustainable development.
Launched just over a year ago by the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities and the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), the CoRE initiative aims to correct long-standing imbalances in Africa-Europe research partnerships. It encourages the co-creation of knowledge, resource-sharing, and equal participation in innovative projects. Since their establishment in June 2023, the first 17 CoREs have played a pivotal role in this mission, laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration between institutions on both continents.
In his opening remarks, Stellenbosch University Rector, Professor Wim de Villiers, stressed the importance of equitable partnerships in tackling global issues. He highlighted that the CoREs provide a balanced platform for African and European institutions to collaborate and contribute to global research solutions.
A key moment during the conference was a panel discussion featuring the heads of major African and European university alliances. Professors Sizwe Mabizela, Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University and ARUA Board Chair, and Anders Hagfeld, Chair of the Guild, both commended the progress of CoRE partnerships. They emphasized the growing research capacity in Africa and underscored the initiative’s potential to reverse the brain drain by providing local research opportunities.
“By offering access to state-of-the-art facilities and fostering co-created research, the CoREs are developing Africa’s research capacity and retaining talent,” remarked Professor John Gyapong, ARUA Secretary-General, during his address. He further noted that these partnerships are crucial for addressing Africa’s most urgent developmental challenges.
The conference served as a platform for participants to assess the CoREs' achievements, share experiences, and map out future goals. Professor Jan Palmowski, Secretary-General of the Guild, highlighted the importance of ensuring that the CoREs’ work continues to meet the initiative’s objectives of advancing high-impact, collaborative research across disciplines.
Looking ahead, the CoREs plan to strengthen ties with policymakers on both continents to align research outputs with development priorities and foster innovation-led economic growth. With strong foundations established during the conference, the core initiative is poised to expand its influence, driving further collaboration between African and European institutions in the coming years.
Article by RB Correspodent
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