Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, African Union Commission, has restated the resolve of the five Pan African University institutes towards actualising the AU Agenda 2063 of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by its citizens as competent players in all areas of human endeavours in the global arena.
Agbor spoke on the sidelines of the Postgraduate Convocation ceremony of the Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute, on Tuesday, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, where 50 Masters degree students of PAULESI graduated.
Expressing optimism in the ability of the graduands to face the world and do Africa proud with the boldness of eagles, she stated that the vision of the Agenda 2063 is an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by its own competent and skilled citizens.
She stressed that “The Pan African University is a decision of the African heads of governments and it was to give African solutions to African challenges. These African solutions are found in various thematics that you find in the five Pan African institutes. We have the Pan African University for Water Energy and Climate Change located in University of Clemson in Algeria to represent North Africa; the Pan African University for Science, Technology and Innovations at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology and Agriculture to represent East Africa; the Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute, including health and agriculture, where we are today for this graduation; and we have the Pan African University for Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences hosted by the University of Yaounde in Cameroon.
“There is need for us to be able to create the correct human resources that would respond to the needs of Africa. We have needs in Agriculture, health, governance and needs in science, technology and innovation. Seventy per cent of our population as Africans are youths below the age of 35 and it is, therefore, very necessary for us to annex the demographic dividends, build on it, see to the mishmash of skills so that when these young people come out of schools, they would be able to get jobs.
“The mishmash of skills are found, most often, in STEM related courses. And, that is why we say that the Pan African University Institutes should not replicate the courses that are in the universities that are hosting them because they are supposed to respond to the mishmash of skills in all areas. The unique thing about the Pan African University is that it is fully sponsored by the African Union’s heads of states and the 55 member states. That is why we must have representations from all the regions that we have: West Africa, Central Africa, North Africa, Southern Africa, East Africa and the African Diaspora. They (the Diaspora) too have the right to come to the Pan African University.”
On how the Pan African University institutes are fairing, she said, “I believe that the Pan African University has already given some satisfaction to the issues that the heads of states raised. When 80 per cent of the graduate of the university come out of the university, they either get or create jobs. Another unique thing is the entrepreneurship programme. You are not just reading your course, you are also learning how to become an entrepreneur. Not only that, you have internship where you relate with the industry.
“So far so good, we are doing well. Right now. we are in a curriculum validation workshop to review our curricular to ensure that the curricular respond with the mishmash of skills and what the industry needs out there so that when they graduate, they have jobs.”
The don admonished the graduands to believe in themselves and remain focused, saying, “I am using this opportunity to congratulate the sixth MSc. batch of PAULESI. Like we normally do, I have baptized them – they are another batch of eagles. Eagles soar.
“Eagles never fail and never lose a war. Eagles go higher and higher. On behalf of the chairperson of the African Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, whose interest on youth is very important, I congratulate you. Make sure that wherever you go, you are ambassadors of the Pan African University institutes. Make sure you wear the skills and competencies that you acquired.”
According to Agbor, the graduating students were the sixth set of MSc. scholars of the university. The university also graduated four PhD students, making it the fifth set of PhD students to finish from PAULESI.
“Today’s graduation is a special one, as 50 graduands are able to complete their studies in various fields against all odds in spite of the pandemic in this unprecedented times. The 50 students graduated from the 10 programmes offered at PAULESI. Of the 50 Masters students, there are six from Environmental Management; four each from Mineral Exploration Geoscience and Reproductive Biology. Five each from Petroleum Geoscience, Plant Breeding, Reproductive Health, Vaccine Production and Quality Control, Sport Management and Policy Development and Medicinal Plant Research and Drug Development and six from Avian Medicine.”
Expressing gratitude to the management of University of Ibadan, the host institution, Agbor disclosed that 16 of the 50 students are from Nigeria, six from Kenya, four from Cameroon, three each from Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Rwanda and Zimbabwe, two each from Malawi, Ghana, Liberia and Guinea, one each from Swaziland, Burundi, Erithrea, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Benin.
In her address to the graduands, the Director of PAULESI, Prof. Titilayo Akinlabi, said that “Remember to continue to nurture quality and exemplify excellence wherever you are. Fifty-four students graduated from the 10 programmes offered at PAULESI. Of the 50 Masters students, there are six from Environmental Management, four each from Mineral Exploration Geoscience and Reproductive Biology, five each from Petroleum Geoscience, Plant Breeding, Reproductive Health, Vaccine Production and Quality Control, Sport Management and Policy Development and Medicinal Plant Research and Drug Development, and six from Avian Medicine.
“Of the four Doctor of Philosophy candidates, there is one student each from Petroleum Geoscience, Mineral Exploration, Plant Breeding and Reproductive Health.
“Across the 54 graduating students, there are 29 females and 25 males. There is one female PhD graduand and 28 female MSc. graduands. There are three male PhD graduands and 22 male MSc. graduands.
“These graduating students have worked tirelessly to excel and achieve this feat in their career and we are so delighted with their achievements. They have also been found worthy in character and learning and PAULESI is so profound of them. For some of these graduands, it was the first time they were stepping out of the borders of their home countries while for some, it was the first time experience of being out of the reach of parental guidance and families. Bearing in mind the diverse culture and traditions across the continent, we believe that the period they have spent in Nigeria studying was worth the while as they have also seized the opportunity to enhance integration and networking with one another making them a well-rounded person.
“We believe that all their fond memories will continue even after departure to their various countries and globally. We also believe that they will continue to relate with their colleagues via the PAU Alumni association and continue to practice Ubuntu.”
