Call for Applications – ACE – Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence

June 1, 2021

Call for Proposals for the Unit of Competence in Digital Education (U-CoDE) Initiative

Objectives and Action Plan

The Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) Projects in collaboration with the EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland) are launching the Call for Proposals for the Center of Competence in Digital Education (C-CoDE) Initiative (Deadline for submission of proposals 25 June 2021). This Pilot initiative aims to promote the sustainable integration of digital education in the teaching process in selected ACE Impact host universities, as a means to strengthen the quality of teaching as well as the competencies of graduates.

The participating institutions will be provided with the necessary training and coaching to transform their educational curricula by integrating modern digital education methods. As a Pilot, the initiative will launch in six (6) ACE Impact host institutions in 2021. The key element at each institution will be the creation and the development of a C-CoDE (see the attached Powerpoint for further details on the initiative).

By encouraging the use of innovative digital technologies in educational practices, the aim is to strengthen the techno-pedagogical skills of lecturers and to train them in the production of digital content and its use in university courses.

The initiative will proceed in two steps, to:

Enable the participating university to acquire the necessary skills, infrastructure, capacity and quality standards to operate a C-CoDE serving the institution. Such a Center will contribute to the design, production and dissemination of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Open Educational Resources (OER). The faculty of the institution will also be trained in the integration of ICT-enabled teaching methods.
Extend the Center’s sphere of activity to serve other African institutions (using a training-the-trainers model), for example within the broader ACE Impact project portfolio and beyond – across the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region.

AAU, as the regional facilitation unit, through its grant under ACE Impact is bearing the delivery, coaching and out-of pocket costs of the experts providing the training to the more than 200 participants from the 6 ACE Impact host institutions for the entire pilot period. EPFL, through its Center of Excellence in Africa (EXAF), is providing the content and training methodology.

For this initiative to have long-term institutional impact and to be transformative, the institutions participating in the Pilot, will commit to:

Deploy digital education capabilities in its institution (a C-CoDE) and integrate the use of the resources produced by the C-CoDE in their educational programmes
Encourage the pooling and sharing of digital educational resources – at the institution, within the ACE Impact project portfolio, and across the SSA region and beyond
Boost the development of new teaching practices by motivating and supporting the lecturers engaged in this initiative, at first within the participating institution and then more broadly.
The following additional conditions:

Appoint a C-CoDE Project Leader, an Academic Coordinator and a Technical Coordinator (see the Local Coordination Team template for a description of the profile of each of these appointees)
Appoint 1 Techno-pedagogical Engineer to serve as the point of reference for digital education projects
Appoint 2 Technicians – one specialized in multimedia acquisition and post-production, and one specialized in IT and LMS
Nominate 3 Techno-pedagogical Specialists – faculty members who will receive extensive training as part of the initiative and will support subsequent training activities on campus
Nominate 30 faculty members who will participate in the training and appoint 3 of them who will be trained to coach their peers (15% of their time)
Building space to install the C-CoDE (min. 100m²)
Financial investment of approximately $100,000 to cover travel; accommodation; multimedia and IT equipment; refurbishment and adaptation of premises to install the C-CoDE

Please note that beyond a strong commitment from the university management and a strong technical proposal, preference will be given to universities that prioritize female and junior faculty members when nominating the 30 faculty members to be trained. The performance of the related Centers within the ACE Impact Project will also be highly considered.

April 27, 2021

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION

Country: Ghana

Name of Project: Second Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence for Development Impact Project (2^nd ACE Impact)

Grant No.: D5330

Assignment Title: External Evaluation of the Development Impact of the Africa Centres of Excellence Impact Project

Reference No.: GH-AAU-GHANA-229175-CS-QCBS

The Association of African Universities has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Second Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence for Development Impact Project (2^nd ACE Impact Project) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include an independent external evaluation of the extent to which the ACEs have contributed towards development Impact as per the agreed indicators. Secondly the evaluation will make an overall independent assessment about the past performance of the project, paying particular attention to the impact of the project activities against its objectives. Finally, the consultancy will identify key lessons and propose practical recommendations for follow-up actions.

The assignment will be undertaken for a maximum period of four (4) months effective the time of signing the contract until the submission of the final report. The services are expected to commence in May 2021.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest. Click here to download it.

The Association of African Universities now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The shortlisting criteria are:

Demonstrated experience in conducting evaluations of higher education projects that span across various countries.
Broad experience with universities, international and regional research, and development projects in Africa will be a requirement.
Demonstrated practical field level support for regional / international organizations in Africa on the development and use of monitoring and reporting tools.
Experience in and knowledge of capacity development and higher education in Africa
Demonstrated and internationally recognized consultancy service delivery.
Full working knowledge of English and of French languages.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016, revised in November 2017, and in August 2018 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 and revised in November 2017, and August 2018 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest available on this link http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/178331533065871195/Procurement-Regulations.pdf

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant’s Qualification-based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e., 0900 to 1700 hours GMT.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person mail or by e-mail) by 1700 hours GMT on 07 May 2021 and specifically mentioning Consultancy Services for the External Evaluation of the Development Impact of the Africa Centres of Excellence Impact Project for the attention of:

Sylvia Mkandawire (Dr.)

Program Manager, ACE Impact

Association of African Universities

African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, East Legon, Accra, Ghana

P. O. Box AN 5744, Accra-North, Ghana

smkandawire@aau.org

https://ace.aau.org/ | https://www.aau.org /

May 8, 2020

KEEP Opens Applications for PhD, MPhil and MSc Programmes in Engineering

The College of Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) calls for applications into its PhD, MPhil and MSc Programmes in Engineering.

PhD Programme

The College, through the School of Graduate Studies, KNUST is pleased to announce the availability of limited partial funding to pursue a 3-year full time programmes in the following:
• PhD Bio-engineering
• PhD Computer Engineering
• PhD Materials Engineering
• PhD Sustainable Energy Technologies
• PhD Telecommunications Engineering
• PhD Chemical Engineering
• PhD Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply to take advantage of the funding opportunities available.

Entry Requirement
In conformity with the entry requirement of the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the successful candidate should have a minimum of:
• First or Second Class (Upper Division) in first degree
• Good Master’s degree with an average of at least 60%. Please refer to (POSTGRADUATE ADMISSIONS BROCHURE) for specific requirements related to the programme being applied for.
• Age limit is 40 years
In addition
• Candidates from non-Anglophone countries must have an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language (TOEFL or British Council, IELTS)with above average score or be available to attend a three (3) months English language course at KNUST.
• Candidates with one publication in a journal as first author have an advantage.
• Evidence of current and previous employments.

Masters Programme (MSc/MPhil)

The College of Engineering is pleased to announce that limited partially-funded scholarships are available for applicants from Ghana and West African Countries to pursue 18 months full-time MSc programme or 24 months MPhil in the following specializations:
• MPhil Computer Engineering
• MPhil Bio-engineering
• MPhil Materials Engineering
• MPhil Power Systems Engineering
• MPhil Chemical Engineering
• MPhil Renewable Energy Technologies
• MPhil Telecommunications Engineering
• MSc Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
• MSc Renewable Energy Technologies

Females are encouraged to apply to take advantage of the funding opportunities available.

Entry Requirement

In conformity with the entry requirement of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the successful candidate will should have a minimum of:
• First or Second Class (Upper Division) in first degree in a relevant field. Please refer to (POSTGRADUATE ADMISSIONS BROCHURE) for relevant degrees for admission into your programme of choice.
• Candidates from non-Anglophone countries must have an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language (TOEFL or British Council, IELTS) with above average score or be available to attend a three (3) months English language course at KNUST.

Completing Application Form
• Ghanaian Students: Candidates must purchase an e-voucher by paying the application fee of Two Hundred and Fifty Ghana Cedis (GH¢250.00) at the following banks: GCB, Consolidated Bank (CBG) or Ecobank. Upon payment of application fee, candidiates would receive an eVoucher containing an application number and pin that would grant access to the online admission portal. Candidates should then proceed to the online admission portal (https://apps.knust.edu.gh/admissions/) and begin the application process.
• International students: Access the KNUST application form via: Admission Portal (https://apps.knust.edu.gh/admissions/)and complete application form and attach all relevant documents
• Once the process has been completed, candidates MUST PRINT OUT 2 COPIES of the completed application form from the portal and submit signed copies (by post) to the School of Graduate Studies together with all relevant documents including Photocopies of Certificates, Recommendation Letters, and Transcript to the following address:
The Secretary
School of Graduate Studies
KNUST
Kumasi-Ghana

Deadline for the submission of application forms is 30th June, 2020.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a selection interview in Kumasi OR via telephone/Skype. The date of the interview will be communicated after short listing.

Application supporting documents
• Completed application form with Two passport photographs
• Detailed CV and two letters of reference (one from a supervisor at the Master’s level)
• Official transcripts and certificates for BSc and MSc degrees
• Proof of ability to communicate in English for Candidates from non-Anglophone countries
• PhD and MPhil candidates are to submit soft and hard copies of a letter of motivation (max. two pages) with the heading outlining why you want to study, what makes you well-suited to study in your chosen specialization, current occupation, how the Programme will fit into your professional vision, how your home country stands to benefit after your training.
• PhD and MPhil candidates are to submit both soft and hard copies of a short concept note (max. 3 pages) outlining the justification, objectives, methodology and expected outcomes of a research idea.

Contact
All inquiries should be sent via email keep@knust.edu.gh