Stakeholders and experts in international higher education have stated that global education and international collaboration are vital to Africa’s sustainable development and future for work.
The stakeholders made this known on Wednesday in Lagos during the three-day maiden edition of The International Education (TINE) Africa Changemakers Conference with the theme: ‘Global education, sustainable development and the future of work for Africans’.
The director of Laprinxo Consult and conference convener, Prince Louis Adekola, stated that TINE Africa, founded last year, is a platform for people and organisations working in the international higher education sector.
Adekola said the conference is designed to bring visionary leaders, young innovators, entrepreneurs, professionals, and students to proffer relevant and sustainable solutions to Africa’s pressing challenges.
He further said the conference seeks to address what Africans want from global education, how international education institutions can support African students in the diaspora, and how global education can impact sustainable development in Africa.
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“Focused on fostering intellectual dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, the conference highlights key areas such as sustainable development, technology, education, climate action, and economic empowerment.
“It aims to inspire changemakers with the tools to drive social impact and transformation in their communities,” he said.
According to Adekola, the second day of the conference (Thursday) is mostly for industry stakeholders and organisations in the local and international higher education sector to collaborate and share ideas on bridging the gaps in serving and supporting people who need their service.
He added that the last day (Friday) is the award event for honouring people who work in the global higher education sector in Nigeria and globally.
Debola Deji-Kurunmi, founder of Immerse Coaching Company, focused her keynote speech titled ‘Preparing and thriving as an African in the global job market’ on actionable strategies for leveraging Africa’s rich diversity, resilience, and innovation to succeed locally and internationally.
Her speech stressed the importance of education and skills development, highlighting the need to combine formal education with industry-relevant digital and soft skills.
On the other hand, she addressed the challenges and barriers that hinder Africans from leveraging global opportunities, such as international scholarships, diaspora networks, and mentorships.
Deji-Kurunmi stated that with the growing population of Nigerian and African youth, they are positioned to excel in the global job market.
She emphasised that in this decade of dynamism, talent is bankable. She added that raw talent ─ well packaged, either meeting a need or activating a sense of desire or happiness ─ is rewarded significantly with financial and non-financial currencies.
Concluding her speech, she said, “Education will show you the system with which you can channel your gifts, ideas, and energy. And the power of international education makes a difference.”
The first panel session ‘Between the SDGs and Agenda 2063: African youths as catalysts for transformational development’ had executive director, YouthxYouth, Erioluwa Adeyinka; founder, Oak and Teak Foundation, Morenike Molehin; and country director, Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi, as panellists, and moderated by actor and filmmaker, Imoh Eboh.
The second panel ‘Leveraging international education in preparing Africans for the fourth Industrial Revolution’ had founder and CEO, Edward Consulting, Bimpe Femi-Oyewo; and Chevening programme and communications officer, Boma Amieyeofori as panellists, and was moderated by the regional manager, Colorado State University, Opeyemi Adetola.
The last panel ‘Building a sustainable Africa through climate education, strategic action, and collaboration efforts’ had founder, Durian Nigeria, Tony Joy; founder, Ecotutu, Babajide Oluwase; and TINE Africa convener, Louis Adekola as panellists, and was moderated by communications officer, TINE Africa, Diwura Williams.
The TINE Awards ─ given to outstanding individuals, universities, and education consulting firms ─ were in the following categories: Best Agency of the Year Award (West and Central Africa), Best Agency of the Year Award (East and Southern Africa), Agent Aggregator of the Year Award, Digitally Excellent Agency Award, Most Ingenious Agency Award, New Agency of the Year Award, Best Counsellor of the Year Award (Male), and Best Counsellor of the Year Award (Female).
Other categories of the awards were: Next Rated Counsellor of the Year Award, International Representative of the Year (Male), International Representative of the Year (Female), Next Rated International Representative of the Year Award, Best International Students Support Award, Most Impactful Overseas University Award, Most International University (Western Africa), Most International University (Eastern Africa), Most International University (Northern Africa), Most International University (Southern Africa), International School of the Year Award, and Pathway Provider of the Year Award.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE