Yaoundé, Cameroon 11-12 March 2019: Following the first General Assembly of the Pan African University Alumni Association (PAUAA) that was held from 12-13 December 2017, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which resulted in the adoption of the Statute of the PAUAA and the election of the Bureau, a meeting of both the PAU Rectorate and PAU Alumni Executive Bureau was held at the PAU Rectorate Headquarters in Yaoundé Cameroon on 11-12 March 2019 whose aim was to stimulate the Executive Bureau of the Association to be more functional and effective. More specifically, the main objective of the meeting was to develop and validate an action plan with concrete activities and to work towards addressing the concerns of PAUAA Alumni.

The two-day meeting was attended by the PAU Rectorate staff, Directors of PAU Institutes and members of the PAU Alumni Executive Bureau including; the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer, the Assistant Secretary General , the Finance Secretary, the Communication Officer, the Public Relations Officer, all representing the five geographic regions of the African Union.

The meeting was chaired by Prof. Callistus Ogol, Coordinator of the Pan African Virtual and E-University, on behalf of Prof. Kassa Belay, PAU interim. Rector, who welcomed the participants and indicated that the alumni association will serve to ensure traceability of graduates, identify types of support PAU can provide, provide support for purposes of internship programs and allow the creation of networks with potential employers.

The meeting consisted of a series of presentations on key topics including:
- Presentation of experience to operationalize and finance an alumni;
- Status report about PAUAA;
- How to ensure the operationalization of the PAU alumni?
- Presentation of the 2019-2020 Alumni Action Plan, PAUAA Logo and letter heads;
- Discussions and adoption of Action Plan, PAUAA Logo and letter heads;
- Wayforward

Several recommendations were made following the presentations and included among others:
- The need for PAUAA dues to be included in the letter of student admission into any PAU institute;
- Subscription of USD 50 $ as one time annual subscription by every member while contributions be made in form of donations in compliance with the PAUAA Constitution;
- Need for financial assistance from the PAU for PAUAA to ensure effective take off;
- Need for the Institutes to involve PAUAA members in PAU activities including graduation ceremonies to foster stronger collaboration with Students;
- The need for the President of the PAUAA to become a member of the PAU Council;

Following intensive and enriching discussions, the PAUAA Action plan was approved subject to amendments.

The closing remarks were delivered by Prof. Mathiew Abatan (PAULESI Director) who on behalf of the interim Rector thanked the participants for the efforts deployed towards making this initiative a success. This meeting proved to be relevant because it established the foundation for effective operationalization of the Association. The current PAUAA Bureau is the pioneer of the association and as such the PAU counts on them to lay down a solid foundation before the end of their mandate.

For further information please contact:
Chancelle Bilampassi Moutsatsi
E-mail: BilampassiC@africa-union.org

Further media inquiries should be directed to:
Mrs Wynne Musabayana | Deputy Head of Communication and Information Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int | Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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