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.

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Uganda President Yoweri Museveni and the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon are among the world leaders who have left Addis Ababa, Ethiopia after attending the 18th African Union summit.

Others who have left Ethiopiaare Benin’s President Thomas Boni Yayi, and Libyan interim Prime Minister Abderrahim el-Keib. Over 40 heads of states attended the summit.

The summit kicked off with the selection of Benin’s President  Thomas Boni Yayi as the African Union chairman for the year running.  The chief guests at the summit were from China and UN.

Beijing also donated $200-million to African Union headquarters. Giving remarks on the donation, Museveni thanked china for promoting mutual interests inAfrica.

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 The talks between Museveni and Burns highlighted the strength of the bilateral partnership between US and Uganda on a wide range of  issues, including regional security and good governance and respect for human rights.

Burns is on a four nation Africa tour. The talks have also focused on the state of human rights violation in Uganda. Recently US warnedUganda government to stop violation of human rights particularly torture of opposition politicians and their supporters. For example Uganda police late last year confined FDC party leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, to his Kasangati home under colonial-era ‘preventive arrest’ legislation. Burns has told Museveni that he should ensure that his government protects the rights of allUgandacitizens, including minority groups.

Burns and his team from Uganda will visit Ghana, South Africa and also attend an African Union summit in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia.

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A statement from the US State Department says that Burns is expected in Ethiopia to attend the 18^th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on January 29 and 30.

The Deputy Secretary will also meet with Prime Minister Meles and other senior officials to emphasize the strategic importance of that country to countering violent extremism in the greater Horn of Africa region, as well as meet with several regional and international leaders on the margins of the AU summit.

Prior to the summit, the delegation will travel to Ghana, Uganda, and South Sudan.  In Ghana, Deputy Secretary Burns is scheduled to meet with President Mills to reinforce the U.S. commitment to building strong ties with one of Africa’s leading democracies.

The visit will highlight the United States’ continued commitment to presidential initiatives such as the Partnership for Growth and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.  Deputy Secretary Burns will also meet with alumni of U.S. exchange programs.

In South Sudan, the Deputy Secretary will meet with Vice President Machar and other senior officials to encourage expeditious resolution to outstanding post-Comprehensive Peace Agreement issues. Deputy Secretary Burns will also encourage the Government of South Sudan’s efforts to promote reconciliation and break the cycle of inter-ethnic violence.

In Uganda, Burns’ discussions with President Museveni and other members of Uganda’s civil society will highlight the strength of the bilateral partnership on a rage of issues, including regional security and on helping Uganda strengthen its commitment to good governance and respect for human rights.

He will also visit a medical clinic that is advancing integrated health service delivery, a key part of the U.S Global Health Initiative.

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In the past decade, many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have experienced historically rapid economic growth and notable social change, yet poverty, hunger, and malnutrition remain widespread problems. With a large proportion of the population living in rural areas and working in agriculture, the solution to these problems largely lies in increasing agricultural productivity. To achieve this African Heads of State and Government committed to “allocate at least ten percent of the national budgetary resources to agriculture and rural development policy implementation within five years” as part of the 2003 Maputo Declaration to accelerate six percent annual agricultural growth.  However, many countries have not put their commitment into practice.

As a first step, African countries need to gear their efforts to increase investment in agriculture.  But it is not sufficient, and right priorities and sequencing are equally important.Agricultural productivity can be achieved in many ways including spreading knowledge of improved practices to smallholders, increasing the use of high-quality seeds and fertilizer, properly irrigating land, developing strong institutions, linking producers to markets, and appropriately addressing disease and conflict. Urgent actions—especially improving capacity and farmer support systems—are needed among all competing tasks.

Research-based evidence is required to tailor these methods to specific needs. But then this evidence must be communicated to users. FARA’s executive director Monty Jones said, “We must go beyond just research to increase productivity. Strengthening extension services and infrastructure, and implementing policies that support agricultural productivity and increase rural incomes will reduce hunger and poverty.”

According to Josué Dioné, director of UNECA’s Food Security and Sustainable Development Division, “Increasing agricultural productivity in Africa calls for broader policy and strategic frameworks that encompass the whole agriculture value chain, including agribusiness and agro-industrial sectors as well as farming.” Sustainably meeting food demands in the future—despite a growing population and diminishing natural resources—will require a greater emphasis on productivity growth.

“Increasing agricultural productivity is not a panacea to all problems, but it can make a significant positive contribution to resolve issues of food insecurity in Africa,” said Shenggen Fan, IFPRI director general.

In order for agricultural productivity to improve the lives of the poor, it needs a supportive environment, particularly increased access to markets.

Markets in particular pose a major challenge to poor people in rural areas. “Improving rural infrastructure to facilitate trade of goods—both at the country level, and across borders—would serve as an opportunity to improve food security in Africa,” said Abebe Haile-Gebriel, director of the AUC’s Rural Economy and Agriculture Division.

Experts at the conference will also examine issues related to:

• science, technology, and innovation in agriculture;
• rural services and access to inputs;
• markets, trade, and regional integration and value chains;
• investments, institutions, and policies for supporting agriculture;
• agriculture, nutrition, and health linkages;
• agriculture and climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• capacity development for agriculture through education and training; and
• the nexus of agriculture and the rural nonfarm sector in growth and poverty reduction

“Innovations in investment, institutions, technology, strategy, and partnerships will enhance productivity and greatly enhance food and nutrition security in Africa,” said Fan.

For more information on the conference: http://addis2011.ifpri.info.

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