Prof. Makinde during a lecture at PAUISTI

Inadequate and inconsistent applied research sits at the core of the socio-economic challenges be-straddling the African continent. This is a result of overemphasis on ordinary learning at the expense of extrapolation of the learned concepts into real life by African scholars.

To reverse this trend, the renowned African Mathematician, Prof. Daniel Makinde of Cape Peninsula University of Technology (South Africa) has challenged both budding and accomplished scientists to be open minded in their approach to learning, paying attention to the needs of the continent.

“A number of research attempts in Africa crumble because of shaky foundations required for the same”, avers Prof. Makinde, who has earned numerous awards following his innovative research initiatives in the area of applied mathematics.

The visiting professor at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has equally challenged the pioneer students of Pan African University Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUISTI) to break from the past and properly ground themselves in the concepts and theories of research to effectively undertake applied research.

“African can easily compete with the rest of the world if we change our attitude and orientation to learning and life in general. We must embrace the spirit of innovation, commitment, excellence and hard work”, reckons Prof. Makinde.

The Mathematician further opined that no subject in the world is ‘useless’ adding that one only needs to cultivate interest and dedication to achieve excellence. Prof. Makinde was addressing PAUISTI students in a lecture on MagnetoHydroDynamics of Nano-Fluids over a Flat Surface, Thursday January 24, 2013 at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, where the East African hub of the continental university is domiciled.

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Part of Pioneering students of PAUISTI outside AICAD

The students drawn from thirteen African countries, continued with registration Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at the East African nod of the continental university, a move that has enlivened hopes of integrating African countries through higher education. Read more …

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Workshop participants

Prof. Calestous Juma while giving his remarks pointed out that the main aim of the workshop was to get universities in Kenya being actively involved in biotechnology research initiatives and advising the government on the best biotechnology innovations. He encouraged biotechnologists in Kenya to what their counterparts in the mobile phone industry are doing. He noted that a few countries in Africa are adopting biotechnology and gave examples of Egypt, Burkina Faso and South Africa which have embraced biotechnology and are reaping substantial benefits. However, he identified the challenges that slow down the adoption of biotechnology as inadequate funding and policy frameworks to support research in biotechnology. He reiterated that it was difficult for countries to attract international partnerships without clear policies on biotechnology

The workshop participants were drawn from academic, policy makers, research organizations. The two-day workshop culminated in a Public Lecture: Rebooting African Economies: Innovation for Economic Development by Prof. Prof. Calestous Juma, on Tuesday 14th, August, 2012 at KICC, ABERDARES BALL ROOM at 2pm.

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International students selection jury with the VC JKUAT, Prof. Mabel Imbuga (centre)

An international jury of experts held a three day meeting to select students for admission (2012/2013 academic year) into the PAU Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUISTI) hosted at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.  The meeting was opened on August 6, 2012 and was closed on August 8, 2012. The international students’ selection juries meeting were running simultaneously at PAULESI at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and at PAUIGHSS at the University of Yaounde II, Cameroon.

The experts, who were drawn from across the African continent, were meeting prior to the planned opening of three PAU Institutes in September 2012 in the following locations:

• PAU Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

• PAU Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (PAULESI) at the University of Ibadan

• PAU Institute of Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences (PAUIGHSS) at the University of Yaounde II

While addressing the experts, the Vice Chancellor JKUAT, Prof. Mabel Imbuga, commended the work the team was doing and reiterated that it was critical towards the opening of the PAU Institutes. PAU which comprises a network of existing institutions in five thematic areas is deemed critical for the development of Africa through boosting postgraduate training and promoting academic mobility across the African continent.

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The acting directors who attended the meeting were from the following PAU institutes:

• PAU Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation

• PAU Institute for Life and Earth Sciences (including Health and Agriculture)

• PAU Institute for Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences

PAU Planning meeting participants, Nairobi

The planning meeting is a scheduled monthly event in preparation for the opening of the PAU institutes later on in the year.
The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the progress made so far towards admission of the first group of students; the progress made in the development and alignment of the curricula for PAU and acquisition of necessary equipment for use in the student laboratories.

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The Chinese government has agreed to support the development of infrastructure, mainly classrooms, laboratories and hostels at the JKUAT based Pan African University, Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUISTI), an initiative of the African Union aimed at fostering relations among African states through higher training and research. The sentiments were contained in minutes signed at JKUAT, Wednesday April 25, 2012 between a high level Chinese delegation and Kenya’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology and JKUAT.

The eight member Chinese delegation drawn from Beijing Institute of Architectural Design   led by Madame Yin Youhua has been at JKUAT for the last three weeks on a fact finding mission on behalf of the Chinese government aimed at establishing requirements mainly in terms of physical facilities required for the smooth implementation of the PAUISTI. Madame Youhua called for greater collaboration between Kenya and China and promised to consult with authorities back home in China to fast track the project implementation process “as soon as possible to commence higher training in Africa”. Read more…

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It is important that all applicants read and understand the call document before filling the application form.

For more information and application forms, click here

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This application is open only for three Pan African University thematic areas :-

Governance Humanities and Social Sciences Yaounde II, Cameroon

Life and Earth Sciences, University of Ibadan in Nigeria

Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation at Jomo Kenyatta University, Juja in Kenya
It is important that all applicants read and understand the call document before filling the application form.

Call for student application (French)
Call for student application (English)
Application forms (word)
Application forms (pdf)

For more information click here

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The chairman of the African Union, His Excellency, President Theodore Obiang Mbasogo will also grace this remarkable occassion.

The Pan African University project started a couple of years ago and it is aimed at promoting intra-african mobility and exchange among African countries. It is also aimed at promoting regional and sub-regional integration across the continent.

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