OBREAL has had the honor of hosting Mohammed Belhocine, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation of the African Union (AU) at its headquarters in Barcelona. During his visit, OBREAL facilitated valuable connections between the Commissioner and key Catalan institutions and governmental bodies, strengthening collaboration and relations between Africa and Europe in the fields of education and beyond.
The visit marked an important step toward furthering interregional partnerships. Commissioner Belhocine met with prominent Catalan leaders, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Catalonia, the Minister of Education of Catalonia, the Rector of the University of Barcelona, and key representatives from influential organizations such as the Port of Barcelona and Foment del Treball. These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing and future collaborations that aim to strengthen Africa-Europe relations in higher education, science, and innovation.
A Shared Vision for Education and Innovation
Belhocine’s visit also aligned with the AU’s focus on advancing education and scientific cooperation across the continent and beyond. His meetings emphasized the importance of deepening ties and leveraging educational systems to support economic development, social progress, and sustainable partnerships. The visit highlighted how the African Union and European institutions can collaborate to address mutual challenges and create meaningful impacts in education and development.
During the visit, discussions centered on the shared goals of both regions, including expanding access to higher education, fostering research partnerships, and finding innovative solutions to common challenges. The dialogue further reinforced the need for ongoing collaboration and the value of such partnerships in driving tangible outcomes in education, research, and social progress.
Looking Toward a Collaborative Future
As we continue to strengthen our role in connecting stakeholders from diverse regions, OBREAL remains committed to advancing the collaboration between Africa and Europe, ensuring that initiatives such as these contribute to the sustainable growth and empowerment of future generations.
This visit serves as a testament to the shared vision for interregional cooperation in the realms of education and innovation. OBREAL is proud to have played a part in facilitating this important exchange and looks forward to future collaborations with the African Union and other international partners.
