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ANU Africa Network
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This website was established in 2013 by David Lucas, and renovated and relaunched in 2020 as part of a project to increase awareness of Africa and African studies in the ANU and the ACT, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Another outcome of that project was a major research report, published in August 2021, African Studies at the Australian National University and in the Australian Capital Territory, analyzing the past, present and future of the study of Africa at the Australian National University and the wider Australian University sector.
The major innovation on this updated website is the creation of the ACT Africa Expert Directory which lists experts on Africa from institutions around the ACT, primarily the ANU. We will continue to curate this list, offering a key resource for media, government and non-government organizations seeking expert facts and opinions on Africa. Individuals can request to be added to the list by contacting the website managers.
Another notable addition is the expanded directory of PhD theses on Africa produced in the territory’s universities, a solid measure of the vitality of the study of Africa in the city of Canberra.
Reviewing these directories, it is revealing to note that the vast majority of research on Africa is produced by disciplinary experts (environmental scientists, economists, demographers, etc.) rather than area studies experts. This means that the study of Africa is woven into the fabric of the research culture of the ANU and the ACT’s other universities in ways that are not necessarily apparent.
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Kirsty Wissing returns to ANu and Rachael Gross continues
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Dr Kirsty Wissing, whose ANU thesis was on water in Ghana, has
returned to Canberra on a 3-year ANU-CSIRO research fellowship considering Indigenous water values and flood mitigation strategies in the Northern Rivers region in NSW.
She is housed in the School of History, Culture and Language in the Coombs Building, ANU, and at the CSIRO.
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Africa seen as an important future source of international students
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A report by The Lygon Group, commissioned by Universities Australia, suggests that by 2050, the nations of sub-Saharan Africa will be the “new China and perhaps India” – Australia’s current top two sources for international students.
“Meanwhile, the continent of Africa is projected to change in the opposite direction with a steady growth in the percentage of working-age people,” the report reads.
“Education will be key to ensuring the continent’s trajectory is to achieve the goal of ‘getting rich before it gets old’.”
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African Union to focus on Education in 2024!
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Embracing Nelson Mandela’s wisdom that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” underscores the critical role education plays in shaping Africa’s future.
As the continent experiences unprecedented growth, with its population set to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, investing in quality education becomes paramount.
The statistics from UNESCO reveal a concerning reality, with over one-fifth of children aged 6 to 11 in Sub-Saharan Africa out of school, along with one-third of youth aged 12 to 14. Additionally, nearly 60% of young people aged 15 to 17 are not enrolled in educational institutions. This situation calls for urgency to address the educational gaps and ensure every young African has access to quality learning opportunities.
Despite the education challenges on the continent, progress has been made. Namibia, Libya, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, and South Africa have witnessed notable achievements, with literacy rates reaching as high as 92%.
Over the past decade, African governments and development partners have committed unprecedented efforts to guarantee that no child is left behind in accessing education.
This year’s African Union theme, “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa,” reflects a collective commitment to shaping a future-ready African generation.
We applaud the African Union, governments, and development partners for prioritising education, acknowledging that it is a key driver for progress, innovation, and societal transformation in the 21st century.
Together, we strive towards building resilient education systems that empower every African with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
