As nations continue to come to terms with coping and finding solutions to the challenges that have beset them with the onslaught of COVID-19, the Alliance for African Partnership established a public dialogue series with speakers including the Vice Chancellors, researchers and other relevant staff at AAP consortium universities, as well as representatives of the public and private sector, funding partners, think tanks, and NGOs, among others. Partnering with the MSU African Studies Center, the Tanzania Partnership Program, and University World News - Africa, AAP hosted a series of six virtual dialogues throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic covering a variety of topics and themes.
University leaders from across the continent will be coming together to discuss their institutions' response to the crisis and share best practices on how to move forward. We will be joined by:
• Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University
• Ibrahima Thioub, Vice Chancellor, Cheikh Anta Diop University
• Rose Mwonya, Vice Chancellor, Egerton University
• David Norris, Vice Chancellor, University of Botswana
• Moderator: Paul Zeleza, Vice Chancellor, US International University - Africa
University leaders from across the continent will be coming together to discuss how their institutions will handle partnerships and collaboration in a post-pandemic world. We will be joined by:
• Steven Hanson, Associate Provost and Dean of International Studies and Programs, Michigan State University
• Charles Igwe, Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
• George Kanyama-Phiri, Vice Chancellor, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)
• Idrissa Traore, Vice Chancellor, University of Arts and Human Sciences of Bamako (ULSHB)
• Moderator: Paul Zeleza, Vice Chancellor, US International University - Africa
University leaders from Africa and the US will be coming together to discuss how higher education institutions are adapting to ensure that education continues and students have access to high-quality learning opportunities. They will share the strategies and approaches their institutions have taken and how they address key challenges such as infrastructure, equity, and quality. They will also discuss the long-term impact of these adaptations on students and systems of education. We will be joined by:
• Samuel Stanley, President, Michigan State University
• Tawana Kupe, Vice Chancellor, University of Pretoria
• William Anangisye, Vice Chancellor, University of Dar es Salaam
• Mpine Makoe, Director of Open Distance eLearning, University of South Africa
• Moderator: Paul Zeleza, Vice Chancellor, US International University - Africa
University leaders from the US and Africa will be coming together to discuss the extent to which COVID-19 has negatively impacted on global, continental, national and individual trends. We expect to learn about what has so far been done, what more can be done, and in what form and structure to effectively respond to these negative effects in the short, medium and long term. Reduced food and nutrition security particularly for the poor as a result of COVID-19 prompts an immediate policy response. Not to forget the opportunities COVID-19 pandemic has taught us in terms of preparedness for similar catastrophes in the future.
We will be joined by:
• Mame Samba Mbaye, Chef du Departement de Biologie Vegetale, Universite Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD)
• David Tschirley, Co-Director, Food Security Group and Director, Feed the Future Innovation Lab, Michigan State University
• Godfrey Bahiigwa, Director, Dept. of Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission
• Agnes Mwangwela, Dean and Acting Principal of Bunda Campus, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)
• Moderator: Paul Zeleza, Vice Chancellor, US International University - Africa
University leaders from the US and across the continent will be coming together to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and emotional well-being of their campus communities. In their presentations they will reflect on the challenges they face as well as the ways their institutions are responding.
• Ruthie Rono, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, US International University - Africa
• Lamine Ndiaye, Professor of Anthropology, Universite Cheikh Anta Diop
• Jonathon Novello, Health4U Consultant and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Michigan State University
• Lucky Odirile, Director, Career and Counseling Centre, University of Botswana
• Moderator: Paul Zeleza, Vice Chancellor, US International University - Africa
Since the start of the dialogue series, it is clear that African HEIs are responding with many innovations to solve problems locally. There was recognition of the need to strengthen both local and regional collaborations, while leveraging the already existing, strong international collaborations that many institutions had. In this dialogue, we will explore these opportunities for partnership and engagement as they exist and discuss how they will shift in a post-pandemic world. We will be joined by:
• Claudia Frittelli, Program Officer, Higher Education and Research in Africa, Carnegie Corporation of New York
• Innocent Chukwuma, Regional Director, West Africa, Ford Foundation
• Tibor Nagy, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, US Department of State
• Himdat Iqbal Bayusuf, Task Team Leader, African Centers of Excellence, World Bank Group
• Somachi Chris-Asoluka, Head, Policy and Partnerships, Tony Elumelu Foundation
• Carole Karuga, CEO, Kenya Private Sector Association
• Moderator: Paul Zeleza, Vice Chancellor, US International University - Africa
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