St Mary’s University 24th International Conference on Higher Education in Africa and the 4th Higher Education Forum for Africa, Asia and Latin America (HEFAALA) Symposium took place at the African Union Commission headquarters on April 15–16, 2026, under the theme “Equitable Partnerships in Higher Education: Advancing Strategies for Sustainable Development.” The event brought together distinguished scholars, policymakers, and institutional leaders from Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America, and Europe to deliberate on strategies for building fair and transformative collaborations in higher education.
The conference commenced with a series of distinguished addresses that underscored its global significance and the vital role of higher education in fostering equitable partnerships. In welcoming participants on behalf of the President and Founder of St. Mary’s University, Misganaw Solomon (PhD), Vice President for Research, Community Engagement and Communication (VPRCEC) warmly greeted attendees and emphasized the importance of equitable collaboration in higher education. He expressed gratitude to the partners; African Union Commission, the International Network for Higher Education in Africa (INHEA), Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education, and the Association of African Universities for their longstanding support.
This was followed by keynote remarks from Iyob Ayenew (PhD), Head of Higher Education Development Service at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education, who stressed the urgent need for strengthened partnerships to drive innovation and support sustainable development. He highlighted the interconnected nature of today’s world, noting that global disruptions reveal how instability in one region can have far-reaching consequences, thereby making international cooperation indispensable.
Prof. Damtew Teferra of INHEA and the University of KwaZulu-Natal further reinforced the importance of the gathering in his keynote address, while Prof. Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Italy, delivered a keynote presentation that added to the conference’s international dimension. Officially inaugurating the event, H.E. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation at the African Union Commission, emphasized the role of universities as global actors in advancing equity through collaboration.
Over two days, thirty papers and multiple debates spotlighted equitable partnerships in higher education as key to sustainable development. Day One featured Africa’s focus on autonomy, equity, and finance, Latin America’s strategies for global engagement, and Asia’s sustainable pathways, closing with sessions on AI and digital ecosystems. Day Two expanded with Asia’s insights on mobility, decolonization, and localized practices, while Europe examined funding, research networks, intellectual property, and the shift from aid to equity. Together, Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe offered distinct perspectives that converged on building fair, sustainable global academic collaboration.
The conference concluded with the presentation of the Global Compact in Equitable Partnerships by Prof. Damtew Teferra, followed by closing remarks from Ato Tedla Haile, Executive Vice President of St. Mary’s University. In his address, Ato Tedla commended the commitment of university staff, presenters, moderators, and participants, while extending gratitude to the African Union Commission and partner organizations for their support in making the event a success.
Complementing the main program, a three‑day Masterclass was held on April 13, 14, and 17, 2026, at the African Union Commission. The sessions offered practical guidance on developing competitive grant proposals, overcoming writer’s block in academic publishing, and strengthening academic and research standing through partnerships and internationalization. Bringing together emerging scholars, university administrators, and policymakers, the Masterclass fostered interactive learning and lively debate, building momentum for future collaboration and reinforcing the conference’s commitment to advancing sustainable higher education partnerships.
