ACE Project Celebrates 10 Years of Excellence in African Higher Education

The African Center of Excellence (ACE) Project recently hosted a significant press briefing focused on the African Higher Education Center of Excellence program. The event, held on March 27, 2025, at the AAU Secretariat Conference Hall, brought together key stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, heads and representatives of tertiary education institutions, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders.

This press briefing featured a distinguished lineup of speakers addressing critical topics such as Curriculum Development, Pedagogy, Internationalization, Research Development, and Regulation in Tertiary Education. A highlight of the event was the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the ACE project, where leaders from various ACE Centers showcased their significant achievements over the past decade.

In his welcome address, Professor Olusola Oyewole, Secretary-General of the Association of African Universities (AAU), emphasized the AAU’s role as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration. He noted the organization’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and progressive educational environment that addresses the evolving needs of students and the nation.

Dr. Sylvia Mkandawire, Senior Program Manager for ACE Impact, provided an overview of the ACE program and its 10-year milestones. She highlighted significant innovations in the pre-tertiary education sector, particularly in curriculum development and the modernization of tertiary institutions. Dr. Mkandawire stressed the importance of integrating these innovations into the curricula of tertiary education institutions to prepare the next generation of students effectively.

Notable attendees included Professor Eric Antwi Ofosu, Director of the Regional Center for Energy and Environment and Sustainability (RCEES) at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, and Professor Felix Abagale, Director of the West Africa Center for Water Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture (WACWISA) at the University for Development Studies. Presentations were also made by Dr. Edmond Aalangdong, Deputy Director of Research Policy and Planning at the World Bank Africa Center of Excellence Project, and Dr. Felix Ansah, an alumnus of the Delta Postdoc program at the West Africa Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, who highlighted key achievements and impact stories.

Other speakers included Mawulawoe Anato-Dumelo, a PhD student at the West Africa Center for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana, and Mrs. Millicent Afriyie Adjei, Communication Lead for the ACE Impact Project at AAU, who unveiled the ACE@10 celebration plans and key activities.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Nodumo Dhlamini, Director of ICT, Knowledge Management, and Communication Services at AAU, called on the media to play a stronger role in producing data and research focused on solving Africa’s problems, envisioning a bright future for the African Higher Education Center of Excellence (ACE) programs.

By: Frank Owusu Obimpeh