AAU Workshops – Page 6 – ACE – Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence

October 17, 2018

(New Dates) Strengthening the delivery of post-graduate Education in African Universities

Workshop on Innovations in Teaching and Learning

Strengthening the delivery of post-graduate Education in African Universities

Hosted by AquaFish ACE LUANAR & AAU

~~19-23 November 2018~~, Lilongwe, Malawi

NEW DATES: 4-8 FEBRUARY 2019

Registration Link: https://www.research.net/r/AquaFish

Background

Teaching if done properly results in “quality” academic outputs, that is, the graduates and research. The indicators of quality graduates include ability to conduct research, possessing critical thinking skills, ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder engagements, having entrepreneurial skills, ability to make presentations, exhibiting good written and verbal communication skills, having confidence, displaying life-long learning skills and having the ability to synthesize key information, among several other indicators. African Higher Education institutions continue to be challenged to produce graduates that can solve problems and contribute to the development of their countries. This therefore implies that universities must review how they teach and reflect on how their students learn effectively.

Examples of Innovative teaching and learning methods

Confucius, a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher is quoted as having said “I hear and I forget. I see and I believe. I do and I understand”. This statement links very well with the concept of being innovative in teaching. Clearly innovative methods of teaching and learning require a total mindset change in terms of the roles of the professors and the learners. The innovative methods also allow the learning to be two-way. These new ways facilitate practical exposure for students, experiential learning and role-based learning. The new learning solutions and methods thus become student centered with the objective of producing that “quality graduate”. Some examples of innovative teaching and learning methods include:

Flipped Classroom
Role-based learning
Internships in relevant industries and corporate organizations
Problem Solving linked to real Community Engagements
Twinning programs to promote cross-learning
Regional seminars to facilitate sharing of expertise
Case based learning for fields such as medicine and health
Problem based learning
Group work assignments
Field Visits
Technology-assisted learning (mobile, learning management systems, multimedia technologies, etc)

Excellence in Education and Research Capacity and Development Impact

The Disbursement Linked Indicator 2 (DLI 2) under the Africa Centers of Excellence project places emphasis on “excellence in education and research capacity and development impact”. The sub-indicators further expound on “improved teaching and learning environment as per approved proposal”. The DLI document states that the “implementation plan for each ACE will clearly describe 4 annual main milestones for improving of teaching and learning environment based upon the specific activities to be undertaken by the ACE”. Besides `the creation of conducive physical learning environments through constructing classrooms and equipping of laboratories it is important for the ACEs to articulate how else they are strengthening their teaching delivery methods so that they produce quality graduates.

About the proposed workshop

The Association of African Universities and AquaFish ACE hosted by Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources will deliver a five-day workshop on ‘Innovations in Teaching and Learning’ to spark discussions and understanding how AquaFish ACE is implementing innovative teaching methods and what else they could be doing to improve in this area. The key objectives of the workshop will be to:

Discuss key concepts and case studies on innovative teaching and learning methods
Deliberate on the challenges and opportunities associated with supervising graduate students
Exploring the use of technology to improve teaching delivery methods in African Universities
Participate in learning visits to institutions in Lilongwe that have begun implementing innovative methods of teaching and learning

Draft Program

DAY	PROPOSED ACTIVITIES
DAY 1	A broad presentation that lays the ground on key concepts around innovative teaching and learning methods and practices Hold a brainstorming session in small groups: to discuss why teaching methods need to be reviewed and what to change? This is meant to help in identifying major deficiencies in current higher education delivery by African Universities. This will also discuss the question of “are students graduating from the African Universities adequately trained to respond to the needs of the society?” to discuss the ‘How’ question and share ideas – and suggest proposals to correct the identified deficiencies. Role play the practical implementation of Experiential Learning
DAY 2	Challenges and Opportunities associated with Supervising Graduate Students in African Universities – (what is quality supervision, students’ expectations, supervisor expectations) Importance of the student-supervisor relationship and the various factors that influence it. Strategies to overcome the challenges of a range of supervisory contexts Developing resources for effective research supervision practices
DAY 3	A presentation on how selected universities in Africa are exploring with technology to improve their teaching delivery methods – e.g. mobile learning, use of learning management systems, etc Foundational Theories: Review of Relevant Concepts Principles of E-learning Course Design & Development Experiential Learning Visit to an institution in Lilongwe that has done well in implementing e-learning
DAY 4	Hands On Sessions : Course / Learning Management Systems
DAY 5	Experiential Learning Visit to an institution in Lilongwe that has done well in implementing e-learning

How To Register

Registration Link: https://www.research.net/r/AquaFish

What are the deadlines?
• Early round registration deadline: 31 December, 2018
• Regular registration deadline: 21 January, 2019
• Late registration: Dependent on space

Workshop Fees– include Workshop Tuition, Workshop Materials, Refreshments and Certificates

USD 500 for staff from AAU Member Institutions
USD 600 for staff from non-AAU Member Institutions
Participants from Malawi must consult the AquaFish ACE for details on their participation Fees (Email: jkangombe@luanar.ac.mw)

Contact Details

Association of African Universities: Miss Edith LAARI: elaari@aau.org

AquaFish ACE: Professor Jeremiah KANG’OMBE: jkangombe@luanar.ac.mw

Download the Workshop flyer: AquaFish-Continental Flyer

July 4, 2018

Certificate Workshop: Data Ethics and Skills for Reproduction of Research Findings Using Stata

AAU invites you to its Research Transparency and Reproducibility Training workshop titled Data Ethics and Skills for Reproduction of Research Findings Using Stata in Accra – Ghana, 7^th – 10^th August, 2018.

The Workshop Concept Note can be Downloaded From Here

The four days training workshop aims at empowering the next generation of African researchers with the appropriate skills and ethics to conduct transparent and reproducible research.

Participants will be introduced to the data landscape of Africa; emerging issues with raw data; best practices for data and code management; and using STATA to validate, analysis and replicate variables.

The core objectives of the workshop is to;

Sensitize participant on various academic research misconducts (ethical issues) as well as the lack of sharing and openness in research.
Expose participants to best practices for research Reproducibility, Replicability and Reanalysis (Pre-registration, Pre-Analysis Plan, Data sharing and the construction of a reproducible and transparent workflow).
Equip participants with the requisite competence in data and code management using STATA as a tool.
Provide participants with the necessary introductory toolset to enable them to carry out efficient data analysis in STATA.

Target Audience

This workshop is invaluable to researchers, academics, postgraduate students, policy makers and staff of statistical institutions (working in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Health, Medicine, Social and Political Sciences, Business Studies, Marketing and Management, Economics and Statistics) wishing to use Stata for applied statistical analysis, and data management.

Prerequisites

Familiarity with computers and a working knowledge of English is required. The workshop does not require any specialized knowledge in programming.
To maximize the usefulness of this course, we strongly recommend that participants bring their own laptops with them, to enable them to actively participate in the practical sessions.

Date and Venue

The workshop will take place on: 7^th – 10^th August, 2018 at the AAU secretariat, Accra – Ghana.

Fees and Registration

Students*: $ 200
AAU Member Institutions: $ 350
Non-member Institutions, Non-Profit/Public, Research Centres: $ 400

*To be eligible for student prices, participants must provide proof of their full-time student status for the current academic year.

Course fees cover: course materials (handouts, Stata do files and datasets to be used during the workshop), a temporary licence of Stata valid for 30 days from the beginning of the course, lunch and coffee breaks.

Participants will be responsible for their own accommodation and travel-related costs, such as flights.

Registration Process

Individuals interested in attending the training workshop, must complete an online registration forms https://www.research.net/r/YJYHS69 by – 30^th July, 2018.

The number of participants is limited to 30. Places, will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. The course will be officially confirmed, when at least 15 individuals are enrolled.

Principal Facilitator:

Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim – Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC)

Useful Texts:

Annim, S. K. (2018). Reproducibility of statistical data, academic publications and policy implications: Evidence from Ghana. Data in Brief, 18, 1298–1312
The Best Practices for Data and Code Management Manual, Innovations for Poverty Action.
A Gentle Introduction to Stata, 5th Ed. Stata Press 2016, (Alan Acock)

Contact Information:

Registration, logistics (accommodation reservation) and visas: Samuel Nyarko Agyapong – sagyapong@aau.org; CC: Ms Nodumo Dhlamini – ndhlamini@aau.org.

Further details regarding our payment procedure can be found at: https://blog.aau.org/our-bank-details/

April 23, 2018

Coding Skills for Everyone

TITLE OF THE WORKSHOP – Coding Skills for Everyone

AIM
Introduce participants to the world of computing and programming. Participants will be taught what is meant by programming, and be able to solve basic problems using an interactive system which helps them to learn how to code.

OBJECTIVES

Improve participant’s digital literacy
Discuss the growth of technology over the last decades
Impart knowledge on the benefits of learning Computer Science
Impart knowledge on the benefits that coding has in any career field
Educate participants on career options available when one learns how to code
Discuss how most computer applications work.
Equip participants with problem solving skills so they can introduce social change effectively.

TARGET AUDIENCE

High school students
People 13 years and older

DATES

Wednesday 15th – Thursday 16th August, 2018

VENUE
Association of African Universities Secretariat,
Trinity Avenue, East Legon
Accra, Ghana

REGISTRATION FEES
GHS 100

FACILITATORS
Ms Georgina Diana Maison
Mr Frank Asefuah

REGISTRATION LINK
https://www.research.net/r/MBMWTPN

November 8, 2017

Maiden Joint ACE I and ACE II Project Workshop

The joint ACE I and ACE II project workshop was officially opened on the 7^th November 2017 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana, by the Honourable Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Minister of Education, Republic of Ghana).

Mr Henry Kerali (World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia) also graced the occasion and emphasized the World Bank’s commitment to African Higher Education.

Other dignitaries present included Professor Etienne Ehouan Ehile (AAU Secretary General), Mr Badara A. Joof (Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology from The Gambia), Mr Andreas Blom (Regional Team Lead, World Bank), Ms Xiaoyan Liang (Lead, Education Specialist, World Bank, ACE II), Dr. Eugene Mutimura (Project Coordinator ACE II, Inter-University Council for East Africa) and Prof Jonathan Mba (Project Coordinator ACE I, Association of African Universities).

The workshop brings together (for the first time) all the 46 Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence for project review and learning from each other’s experiences. The ACE I Project involves 22 Universities from West and Central Africa, and the Regional Facilitating Unit is the Association of African Universities. The ACE II Project involves 24 Universities from East and Southern Africa and its Regional Facilitating Unit is the Inter-University Council for East Africa.

Over 350 participants from the following 22 countries are participating in this meeting – Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, China, Cote d’Ivoire, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, United States of America, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Please view the pictures from day one of the Joint ACE I / ACE II Workshop: https://www.flickr.com/photos/134073620@N02/sets/72157666026020169
Please download the presentations delivered during the plenary session for day one of the Joint ACE I / ACE II Workshop: https://ace.aau.org/workshop-presentations/
You can read more information about the ACE I Project from this link: https://ace.aau.org/
You can read more information about the ACE II Project from this link: https://ace2.iucea.org/

The joint ACE I and ACE II project workshop will end on the 9^th of November 2017

November 7, 2017March 1, 2022

Maiden Joint ACE I and ACE II Project Workshop

Mr Henry Kerali (World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia) also graced the occasion and emphasized the World Bank’s commitment to African Higher Education.

Please view the pictures from day one of the Joint ACE I / ACE II Workshop: https://www.flickr.com/photos/134073620@N02/sets/72157666026020169
Please download the presentations delivered during the plenary session for day one of the Joint ACE I / ACE II Workshop: https://ace.aau.org/workshop-presentations/
You can read more information about the ACE I Project from this link: https://ace.aau.org/
You can read more information about the ACE II Project from this link: https://ace2.iucea.org/

The joint ACE I and ACE II project workshop will end on the 9^th of November 2017

October 31, 2017

Joint ACE I & ACE II Project Workshop of the World Bank Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project| Accra, Ghana| November 7-10, 2017

The Association of African Universities (AAU), and the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), will host the 1^st Joint ACE I & ACE II Project Workshop of the World Bank Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence Project.

This is scheduled to take place at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana, from 7^th – 9^th November, 2017. The Meetings of the Project Steering Committee (ACE I) and the Regional Steering Committee (ACE II) will take place on Friday, 10^th November, 2017 after the Joint Project Workshop.

This is an important workshop where ACE I and ACE II members will learn and share experiences with each other, and network for mutual benefit mainly on verification of Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs), disbursement process, international accreditation and overall ACE project activities.

ACE I is made up of countries in West and Central Africa (Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and The Gambia) whiles ACE II is made up of countries in Eastern and Southern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia).

The Association of African Universities (AAU) is the ACE I Regional Facilitation Unit (RFU) and the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), is the regulatory body for the ACEs in Ghana.

October 28, 2017March 1, 2022

Joint ACE I & ACE II Project Workshop of the World Bank Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project| Accra, Ghana| November 7-10, 2017

The Association of African Universities (AAU) is the ACE I Regional Facilitation Unit (RFU) and the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), is the regulatory body for the ACEs in Ghana.