AAU Communications
Call for Host Institution – Training Workshop on Facilitating University-Industry Linkages
Under the aegis of its flagship Leadership Development (LEDEV) and Management Development (MADEV) workshop series which aim to enhance the skills of university staff in the promotion of innovation and the management of change, the Association of African Universities (AAU) is proud to announce a Call for Host for its maiden Training Workshop on Facilitating University-Industry Linkages.
The workshop will be facilitated in English.
Thrust
The main thrust of the workshop is promoting university advancement through intensive participant interaction over carefully selected cases and other materials, and lead lectures by eminent Resource Persons on the following:
- Technology Uptake
- Intellectual Property Rights
- Entrepreneurship
Participation
The workshop will be open to all faculty of higher education institutions but preference will be given to persons holding the positions listed below, in universities and equivalent institutions:
- Vice-Chancellor/Rector/President or their Deputies
- Dean/Director of Institutes
- International Liaison Officers
- Public Relations Officers
- Heads of University Counselling Units
Host Institution’s Responsibilities
- Identification of a hotel with a reasonable rate and arranging accommodation (40 rooms), and meeting rooms (one plenary and two break-out rooms) to be paid for by AAU and participants;
- Provide airport pick-up and local transportation;
- Make arrangements for entry visas for participants unable to get them at their home countries;
- Suggest possible social events for inclusion in the workshop programme; and
- Provide a mini-Secretariat during the workshop: one Secretary, computer, printer and photocopier.
- Give a welcoming Reception/Cocktails for participants
- Invite media to cover the Opening Ceremony
Benefits of Hosting
- Publicity given to the Host Institution in the AAU media, and among participants during the workshop
- Registration waiver for up to 3 participants from the Host Institution
- Opportunity to spearhead the formation of a network of experts on U-I linkages among workshop participants
Letters of Intent should be addressed to:
The Secretary-General
Association of African Universities
African Universities House, Aviation Road Extension
Airport Residential Area, P.O. Box AN 5744
Accra-North, GHANA.
Tel: 233302 774495/761588 Fax: 233 302774821
E-mail: secgen@aau.org cc: ransford@aau.org
Request for Expression of Interest -Senior Executive Attachments on Technology Uptake in African Universities
Senior Executive Attachments on Technology Uptake in African Universities
| Name of Project: | Capacity Development for the Revitalisation of Education in Africa (Phase II) |
| Country/: | Ghana |
| Grant No.: | 285 |
| Expressions of Interest: | AAUCADRE/EOI/UI/19 |
Introduction
The Association of African Universities (AAU) has received a grant from the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) based in Harare, Zimbabwe to build the skills and practical experience of university faculty in technology uptake through the establishment of business incubation and science parks.
In Africa, only a few higher education institutions have established business incubators as centres to support the formation of start-up businesses (i.e. offering services such as management assistance, access to finance, legal advice, operational know-how, networking opportunities and access to new markets). Whereas business incubators may not necessarily be established by or around universities, earmarking university properties as science parks to nurture academic spin-offs and start-up companies is a positive step towards commercialising technologies stemming from university laboratories, and employing thousands of people who may be churn out of these universities as young entrepreneurs.
The slow adoption of business incubators and science parks in Africa account for the vast under-representation of the continent internationally with regards to the quantity and visibility of its parks and incubators. Currently, only 2% of the 385 members of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) worldwide are from Africa.
Objective of the Missions
The AAU intends to sponsor two-member teams from its member universities to undertake executive attachments for learning outcomes in a selected number of African universities that are promoting technology uptake in their institutions through the establishment of science parks and business incubators.
Request for Expression of Interest
The AAU CADRE II Project now invites its member universities to indicate their interest in undertaking the missions. Interested applicants should be industrial liaison officers or senior management staff from member institutions of the Association of African Universities with proven entrepreneurial and management skills and ability to promote and facilitate linkages with the productive sector.
Qualifications of Applicants
Each applicant should have a minimum of a Master’s degree, with a minimum of 5 years working experience in an entrepreneurial/management position.
Funding
The AAU will cover flight cost, accommodation and per diem in line with ACBF travel policy for a period of not less than 10 days and not more than 14 days (including weekends and travel time). Beneficiary applicants are to seek counterpart funding from their institutions as their in-kind contributions to the programme
Submission of Expression of Interest
Expressions of Interest clearly marked “Senior Executive Attachments on Technology Uptake – AAUCADRE/EOI/UI/19” can be submitted as hard copies at the address below on or before 12:00 GMT on Monday 31st August, 2015:
Applications should be sent to:
The Directorate of Research and Academic Planning, Association of African Universities, P.O. Box AN 5744, Accra – North, Ghana.
Or by email to the following addresses: jcmba@aau.org and copy: ransford@aau.org
Launching the AAU News as a weekly service
Why AAU News as a weekly service
The AAU has grown to a membership of over 320 universities and other institutions of tertiary education. The AAU faces challenges related to servicing a big network and keeping all the members satisfied. The member institutions demand better services in terms of information related to African and global higher education issues. It has become important that the AAU demonstrates the value and benefit for members that pay annual membership fees. In addition to the member institutions, the AAU also serves the needs of development partners, African governments and other higher education stakeholders. AAU needs to demonstrate that it is indeed the “Voice for Higher Education in Africa”. The AAU News seeks to rejuvenate the AAU Communication Services to the member institutions.
The AAU as a platform for outreach
The interaction between the AAU’s diverse stakeholders often occurs in silos. The current practice at the AAU Secretariat has been to send out information in ‘bits and pieces’. The majority of news and information from member universities are cascaded down to a few institutions in their country and region though some of these news could benefit from the large platform provided by AAU’s membership. AAU is a potential platform on which member institutions could be profiled – including their new programs and key milestones. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools provide an opportunity to keep the network informed, create value for the members and create a sense of belonging to the AAU network.
The AAU’s communication team has revamped the E-courier monthly news and come up with an initiative called the AAU News. The AAU News will ensure that the AAU reaches out to all of its stakeholders on a weekly basis with necessary information, opportunities, updates, current publications among others.
Purpose of the AAU News
The purpose of the AAU News is to keep the engagement among AAU member institutions vibrant.
Specific Objectives
- To keep member institutions and other stakeholders informed
- To improve the sharing of information and knowledge
- To profile AAU member Universities
Expected Outcomes
- AAU member institutions feeling connected and informed on current issues/events
- AAU member institutions recognize the value of belonging to the AAU
- The activities and programs of member institutions highlighted and celebrated
Process
Under the leadership of the Secretary General, the process will be coordinated by the AAU communications team, based at the secretariat, with input from all member universities (through their Public Relations or Designated offices) and general stakeholders of AAU.
Format and Frequency
The Electronic AAU news will be circulated in an HTML format. It will be concise and will contain reader-friendly content. It will have a very simple and innovative design. Linked to this will be AAU’s Social media platforms (twitter, Facebook, Flickr, website etc) and contact details. The AAU News will be circulated every week.
Language
The AAU news will be in English (French and Arabic will be introduced in due time).
Selection of the University in Focus
The electronic AAU News has a section called “University in Focus”. Member Universities will be profiled.
Distribution Process
Each Friday, the AAU News will be sent out to all stakeholders by the AAU Communications Unit
Feedback
All questions, comments as well as feedback on the AAU News should be directly sent to the AAU communications team (via info@aau.org). The Communications team will respond to all queries and questions.
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