Strengthening cooperation on higher education between Africa and Europe

Obreal welcomed Dr Jean Koulidiati, representative of the Pan African University (PAU), to Barcelona as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen interregional cooperation in higher education between Africa and Europe.

The visit, held on Thursday, 14 November 2024, provided an opportunity to advance dialogue on shared priorities in higher education development, research, and regional integration. It also contributed to reinforcing collaborative initiatives aimed at supporting higher education systems across Africa through international partnerships.

During his stay in Barcelona, Dr Koulidiati held meetings with academic and institutional partners, including IL3 – Universitat de Barcelona, focusing on potential avenues for cooperation in capacity building, curriculum development and interregional academic exchange.

Supporting cooperation on higher education and regional integration

The visit served as a key moment for consolidating collaboration between the Pan African University, a flagship continental institution established by the African Union, and Obreal. PAU plays a strategic role in advancing excellence in higher education, research and innovation across Africa, with a strong focus on regional and continental integration. Obreal, in turn, supports interregional cooperation by facilitating knowledge production, institutional strengthening and policy dialogue in higher education systems worldwide.

As part of this exchange, both institutions worked on a 2024–2025 Roadmap for Collaboration, which outlines joint activities aimed at enhancing the quality, accessibility and international dimension of higher education in Africa.

The roadmap identifies four main areas of cooperation: the development of a master’s curriculum on regional and continental integration in higher education, based on HAQAA materials; the creation of MOOCs and micro-credentials in English and French; the delivery of joint certificates for interregional online courses; and the organisation of the First Continental Conference on Higher Education and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

These initiatives reflect a shared commitment to promoting academic cooperation, strengthening institutional capacities and fostering dialogue between regions. They also illustrate how international exchanges hosted in Catalonia can contribute to broader global efforts to support education and regional integration.

Through visits such as this, Obreal contributes to facilitating interregional dialogue and cooperation in higher education, supporting the exchange of knowledge and the development of collaborative initiatives between Europe, Africa and other regions.