African Regional Conference of Vice-Chancellors and Deans of Science, Engineering and Technology

From 5 to 7 November 2013 will be held the fifth session of this Regional Conference in Botswana. Organized by the African Network of Scientific and Technological Institutions (ANSTI) and the University of Botswana, this conference expects to have at least 150 participants who are leaders of leading institutions responsible for teaching, research and development, and technology deployment in the region.

The aim of this conference is to provide the forum for university leaders, policy makers, academics, development partners and banks, international scientific and engineering networks and private sector to deliberate on why, what and how to forge ahead in providing solutions to incipient challenges and opportunities the new wave of economic resurgence of Africa presents under the theme: Enhancing capacity in science, technology and engineering in response to emerging industrial and socio-economic needs of Africa: The role of universities and research institutions.
The first of these forums was held in 2005 in Accra, Ghana. Leaders of the universities and development partners discussed the state of Science and &Technology (S&T) institutions in the region and produced an action plan contained in a document “Revitalizing science and technology training institutions- The way forward.”

These forums have become a consultative platform to identify strategic issues in the promotion of science, technology and innovation to enhance the sustainable development of the region and increase Africa’s global economic competitiveness.