Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s State Minister for Education, Kora Tushune, emphasized the need for higher education research in Africa to lead to significant societal and economic transformation.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the 23rd International Conference on Private Higher Education in Africa convened in Addis Ababa under the theme ‘The Academic Profession and Research Excellence in Africa.’ The event was organized by St. Mary University in collaboration with various local and international partners, including the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, the Association of African Universities, and the African Union Commission. The conference aimed to explore the evolving landscape of higher education and served as a critical platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.
Addressing the gathering, State Minister Kora Tushune highlighted the necessity for higher education institutions to focus their research on problem-solving and societal development. He stressed the importance of Africa’s higher education institutions working towards creating a knowledge and technology-driven society, rather than merely consuming knowledge and technology. The Ministry of Education supports this commitment and acknowledges the role of such conferences in fostering academic debate.
The state minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to overseeing and supporting Ethiopian public and private higher education institutions to enhance access, inclusion, and quality of education. The policy framework established over the past five years has allowed these institutions to operate competitively, with research and the application of findings becoming key performance indicators in public higher education institutions.
St. Mary’s University President, Wondwosen Tamrat, emphasized the role of universities as engines of innovation, stating that research agendas must align with local realities. He underscored the importance of strategic investment in research and societal impact for institutions to achieve their development goals.
Edward Makume, representing Professor Saidou Madougou of the African Union Commission’s Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, highlighted the rapid advancement of global knowledge economies. He stressed the urgent need for Africa to position itself as a leader in research and innovation, calling for increased investment in research and development to ensure robust and well-funded academic and research ecosystems aligned with continental and global development agendas.
The conference saw the participation of approximately 200 individuals, including educators, researchers, policymakers, university leaders, and partners from Africa and around the world.