TheCable

Stakeholders in African academia are set to deliberate on the need to forge a future-proof tertiary education system at the 2024 West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN) conference.

The conference is themed “Charting the course: Forging future-ready higher education and research communities”.

Organised by WACREN and hosted by the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), the conference will be held on March 7 and 8.

The conference is expected to draw a wide range of participants from across the globe. They include higher education policymakers, funders, academia, the national research and education networks (NRENs), and agencies in charge of higher education/digital transformation.

At the event to be held in Abuja, research and education networks and their communities are expected to determine a clear path to a more sustainable future and prepare to tackle emerging challenges and realities.

Boubakar Barry, CEO of WACREN, said RENs and the higher education fraternity need to bring the lessons of the past to define a sustainable future, having already been tested by a global pandemic.

“As stakeholders in advancing digital connectivity and fostering collaboration across research and education landscape, NgREN is proud to spearhead initiatives that empower academic and scientific communities in the Nigerian university system,” he said.

“Through innovation, partnership, and a commitment to excellence, we continue to shape the future of education and research in Nigeria.”

The minister of education, minister of communication, innovation, & digital economy, and the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) are expected to be in attendance.