https://emiratitimes.com/ Addis Ababa: The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has hosted the QS Africa 2026 Higher Education Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 9–10, bringing together ministers, university leaders, academics, policymakers, industry representatives, and civil society organizations to discuss the future of higher education across Africa.

Held in collaboration with QS, the forum focused on strengthening international academic partnerships, advancing innovation, and preparing higher education institutions to address global challenges through research, technology, and skills development.

Opening the forum, Prof. Ahmed Ali Al Raeesi, Vice Chancellor of UAEU, highlighted the significance of the event as the university celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year. Al Raeesi said UAEU was founded under the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who regarded education as the cornerstone of national development.

Prof. Al Raeesi stressed that global issues such as climate change, food security, digital transformation, and youth employment require cross-border academic collaboration. Al Raeesi called for innovative solutions that empower young people through education and research, enabling them to become future leaders capable of driving sustainable progress.

Prof. Kindeya Gebrehiwot, State Minister and Advisor at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education, underscored the importance of partnerships in advancing higher education and national development. Gebrehiwot said universities must work closely with governments, industries, communities, and fellow academic institutions to strengthen research, innovation, and societal impact.

Gebrehiwot also described young people as the nation’s greatest asset, emphasizing the need to provide quality education, practical skills, innovation opportunities, and entrepreneurship support to prepare them for future challenges.

Throughout the two-day forum, participants explored key issues shaping Africa’s higher education landscape. Panel discussions focused on future-ready skills, talent retention, graduate employability, academic mobility, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in transforming teaching, research, and university administration.

Experts stressed the importance of aligning education systems with sustainable development goals while ensuring universities continue to produce skilled graduates capable of meeting evolving labor market demands. Discussions also highlighted the need to modernise academic curricula, strengthen digital and leadership competencies, expand research capabilities, and increase access to internships and applied learning opportunities.

Participants recommended recognising graduate employability as a key performance indicator for assessing university quality and measuring institutions’ contributions to national economic and social development.

 Artificial intelligence emerged as a central theme throughout the forum, with delegates calling for greater investment in AI as a strategic pillar for education, research, and university governance. They also emphasized the need to establish ethical frameworks for the responsible use of emerging technologies while expanding international research collaboration and academic mobility programs.

The forum concluded with a renewed commitment to integrating research and community service into universities’ core missions. Delegates highlighted the critical role of higher education institutions in addressing food security, healthcare, water resource management, climate adaptation, and the empowerment of women and youth.

Participants agreed that universities that embrace innovation, strengthen global partnerships, and collaborate across borders will be best positioned to deliver lasting social and economic impact beyond their campuses.