The African Union (AU) has embarked on a fund-raising drive for the establishment of the Pan African University.

The Continental body hosted a fund-raising luncheon to propel forward the recently launched Pan-African University (PAU). The Fund-raising luncheon held on the side lines of the recently concluded African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, brought together several donors and partners including the Private Sector and some representatives of AU Member States.

The luncheon was organized by the Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology (HRST) of the African Union Commission (AUC), in the presence of the some Commissioners and high officials of the AU Commission.

Chairing the event, Professor Jean-Pierre Ezin, the Commissioner of Human Resource Science and Technology underlined the importance and relevance of the Pan-African University, noting that most African countries face the challenge of establishing high quality institutions in order to restore Africa’s image in terms of education.

According to a statement issued by the Directorate if Information and Communication at the African Union Commission, Professor Ezin, the Pan-African University will contribute in building the capacity of future researchers in Africa to help enhance the development of the continent.

Addressing participants at the fund-raising luncheon, the Director of the Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology (HRST) Vera Ngosi, highlighted that the Pan African University will help Africa to meet its collective goals such as the Millennium Development Goals.

She said science, technology and innovation are the basis for socio-economic development of the Continent.

Meanwhile Mrs Hewan Teka Legesse, a Philanthropists who assisted in the organisation of the fund raising for the promotion of the Pan African University encouraged  partners to support the  AU department of Human Resources, Science and Technology in their efforts to raise the needed fund to enable an effective implementation of the Pan African University project.

The Head of the Education Division of HRST Dr. Beatrice Njenga presented the structure of the Pan African University (PAU) saying that it is a thematic network of higher institutions of research.

Dr. Njenga added that the distinguishing factor of the University is that, it nurtures quality and exemplify excellence through its peculiar curriculum.

she listed the five thematic areas of the PAU as Space Sciences based in Southern Africa), Water and Energy Sciences in North Africa, Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation in Eastern Africa,  Earth and Life Sciences in West Africa, and Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences in Central Africa.

Pledging his country’s commitment to support the AU efforts for this project, the Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea in Addis Ababa Dr. Ruben Maye Nsue Mangue, said his country is interested in fishery and will provide the needed infrastructure to host a branch in this area if the AU is interested.

Dr. Mangue further donated an envelope of undisclosed amount which he said will be deducted from his salary as his own personal contribution to the Pan African University PAU project.

He said it is a pride for young African students to be educated in the continent rather than going abroad for their studies.

The representative of the African Capacity Building Fund (ACBF) also made promises amongst others donors and partners, to support the PAU project.