Dakar, Senegal, October 4, 2018: Under the theme: Meeting Continental Targets for Inclusive, Quality and Transformative Education and Training in the 21st Century, the African Union Commission Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology (HRST), together with the Government of the Republic of Senegal and its partners across and beyond Africa is organising the ‘Innovating Education in Africa Expo’ to showcase technical and social innovations in every area of education and training. The purpose is to establish a multisectoral platform for experience sharing on relevant innovations that address education challenges and solutions in Africa. The event is also aimed at raising the visibility of these innovative practices in order to whip up support and catalyse up-scaling and adaptation.

The event aims to provide a springboard for several innovators to meet with potential partners and gain insights that will catalyse the growth of innovations and their replication across the continent.

The main output of the event will include the formation of the Africa Education Innovators Network (AEIN) and the publication of the first edition of the Africa Education Innovators Handbook.

Chairing the opening ceremony of the event, H.E. Mahammed Dionne, Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal recognized during his remarks the efforts taken by the African Union Member States to pull together skills and knowledge to support our continent in the fields of education and innovation. He further shed light on the efforts undertaken by Senegal in education, training and innovation sector and in the Global Partnership for Education to enhance education outcomes in Africa.

H.E. Mahammed Dionne called upon African economies to upscale resources that would spur innovation in order to achieve objectives of Agenda 2063 in economic and social development. The Prime Minister underlined the importance of the innovation as it is pivotal in bridging development gaps and enhancing structural transformation for Africa.

H.E. Dionne raised some issues for participants to brainstorm during their sessions such as what education systems can support us in the context of globalization and market integration. He said that our discussions will provide part of our solutions. The Prime Minister encouraged African Union Member States to host Centers of Excellence and bring together international institutions in education to contribute to the development of Education in Africa.

He concluded by commending the initiative to convene an Expo on Innovation in Education that shall respond to Africa’s aspirations in education and training.

In her opening remarks H.E. Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor, Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, African Union Commission expressed her pleasure to be part of this inaugural innovating education expo. She voiced her appreciation at the high level representation from the Republic of Senegal as well as from other AU Member States towards the realization of the African Union vision which is “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena”. She extended her thanks to the people and Government of Senegal and expressed her gratitude towards the personal commitment of H.E. Mahammed Dionne, Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal and H.E Prof. Mary Teuw Niane, Minister of Higher Education and Research, Senegal towards innovation in education as they are important for Agenda 2063. The Commissioner also extended her thanks to the president of Senegal H.E. Macky Sall, the first coordinator of the Committee of 10 Heads of State as African Champions of Education, Science and Technology.

H.E. Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor called upon AU Member States to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and work towards inclusive education in our continent saying that “education is most important in the realization of our collective destiny”. She reiterated that the event has to identify innovative ways and replicate them and the need for investment in new innovations that Africa needs in STEM. She also applauded the high level political commitment and participation from private sector.

H.E. Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor underlined that the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA16-25) provides guidelines to put education as transformative module for Africa we want.

She concluded by saying that our collective task is to pave the future for Africa at the levels of human resources and intellectual capital.

Mr. Sanga Dimitri, Director of UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Dakar recalled that UNESCO works closely with AU Commission in the mechanisms of regional coordination of Education in Africa.

Mr. Dimitri underlined the necessity for new skills to adapt to the needs of our continent and to achieve both Agenda 2063 and the global education agenda 2030 in transformative education and training.
During this event today AU will announce its top 10 African nominees for its prestigious AU Education Innovation Prizes.

During the period from 4-6 October 2018, there will be a number of plenary sessions as well as parallel sessions that will feature presentations and discussions by prominent academics, policy makers, business actors and emerging education innovators, as well as representatives from development partner organizations. The following plenary sessions will take place:

1. Ministerial Roundtable on Higher Education, Science and Technology and TVET;
2. Ministerial Roundtable on Basic and Secondary Education;
3. Panel Discussion on Innovating to meet Objectives of The Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA16-25) and SDG4, which is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
4. Presentations by AU Member States Senior Officials on National Education Innovations;
5. Panel on Fostering the Emergence of Education Innovation Ecosystems to Enable and Scale Quality Learning Solutions; and
6. Innovators also will share their Education Innovations.

Participants of the meeting are from the African Union Commission; Member Government Ministers responsible for education, training, science and technology; Senior government officials in education, workforce development and innovation spheres; TVET, National and International agencies working in education related fields; Practitioners; Private Sector; Civil Society; Policy makers; Inventors and social innovators; Producers of school equipment; and media representatives.

For media interviews, kindly contact:
1. Mr. Gamal Ahmed A. Karrar| Communication Officer| Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

2. Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Information Division, Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission | Tel: +251(0) 911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

For further information: Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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