News and Views on Africa from Africa
Last update: 1 July 2022 h. 10:44
Subscribe to our RSS feed
RSS logo

Latest news

...
Monday 4 July 2011

Africa: At Last, a Pan African University

The university comes at a time when Algerian metropolis of Algiers aims to be among world’s largest cities with excellent water management and sanitation systems.

By George Okore

ALGIERS---After initial teething problems, Pan-African University (PAU) Institute on Water and Energy Science and Climate Change is set to open in Algeria after approval from the continents’ most influential decision - making organ.

The 17th African Union Heads of State and Government Assembly in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea unanimously agreed to establish the institution the largest Mediterranean country and Africa’s second after winning bid among North African countries. The institution opens its door in September 2011 and will offer courses on water and energy sciences within the framework of its scientific cooperation with the African Union (AU).

Recently, a high level AU Commission delegation discussed with Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research how to prepare for the launch of the university. The leader of the delegation - AU Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology Professor  Jean-Pierre Ezin who is also the project steward  said  the institution will be established  on the basis of Africa-Africa cooperation to maximize scientific potential and serve the continent's development.

The General Directorate of Scientific Research and Technological Development (RSDT) Mr. Mokhtar Sellami says  water  is a perennial problem in Africa and there are very few institutions of higher learning offering advance degree courses on water and climate related issues.

The launch of the university comes at a time when African governments are struggling to provide water, energy and food for all. The university will complement the efforts of African countries towards achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which aims to reduce by half, the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015.

The university will offer courses on water diplomacy and transboundary water issues so as to build capacity in international water law and other legal mechanisms. The university comes at a time when Algerian metropolis of Algiers aims to be among world’s largest cities with excellent water management and sanitation systems.

The Pan-African University (PAU) was proposed by African Union (AU) in 2008 to to offer advanced graduate training and postgraduate research.

Contact the editor by clicking here Editor