Malawi has today started hosting an annual meeting of the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) which is a consortium between the United States of America’s Michigan State University (MSU) and various African universities aimed at placing universities at the centre of sustainable development on the continent.
The meeting was officially opened by the Secretary for Higher Education Dr. Levis Eneya at a ceremony that took place at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in Lilongwe. LUANAR is a member of the AAP.
In his remarks, Eneya described the AAP as a model global academic partnership that is facilitating the contribution of universities to development on the continent.
“Universities should not be ivory towers. They should be key players in economic development and job creation,” he said.
On his part, MSU Vice Provost and Dean of International Studies and Programmes Dr. Titus Awokusa said his university believes in global engagement as a way of making a real difference in various countries where it works.
He said the AAP has successfully collaborated with various African universities since 1960 during which it has implemented various projects in areas such as research and exchange programmes for faculty staff and students.
LUANAR Vice Chancellor Prof. Emanuel Kaunda said the AAP has now become a symbol of academic leadership in Africa as it has significantly advanced research and higher learning on the continent. “As LUANAR, we are proud to be part of the AAP network,” he said.
