WBAA Participates in ASAF’s 3rd Annual Public Conference
The African Students and Alumni Forum (ASAF) held its 3rd Annual Public Conference on 6 September 2024, at the Idriss Deby Itno Amphitheater at the Abomey-Calavi University in Benin. The event focused on Africa-EU collaboration to promote quality education and brought together influential figures from the government, academia, and alumni networks to discuss impactful partnerships in higher education.
The Western Balkans Alumni Association (WBAA) was represented by Mr Milan Stojanovic, WBAA President, who participated in the “Alumni and Students Networks Perspective” panel as part of the "Africa-EU collaboration to promote quality education: Perspective from networks of EU-funded students and alumni" sub-panel. Mr Stojanovic contributed insights into the role of alumni and student networks in shaping international mobility and academic cooperation, sharing WBAA’s experiences in fostering cross-border cooperation and youth engagement in the Western Balkans.
The event opened with a welcome session featuring dignitaries such as H.E. Professor Éléonore Yayi Ladekan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Benin, and Mr Juan Luis Barbolla Casas, a representative of the European Union Delegation in Benin. The conference continued with discussions on institutional cooperation, the impact of EU-funded programmes, and initiatives to enhance youth mobility between Africa and Europe.
The panel in which Milan Stojanovic participated brought together other notable representatives, including Mr Gereon Müller-Chorus (MOSAIC), Dr Musah Abubakar (AASU), Mr Cosmas Lambini (ASAF), Mr Mohammed Ashqar (OCEAN), Ms Ilaria Ballarini (garagErasmus), and Dr Md Ashiqur Rahman (EMA). They explored the significance of alumni networks in promoting educational quality and facilitating global mobility.
WBAA's participation highlights its ongoing commitment to contributing to global dialogues on education and mobility, fostering connections that bridge regions, and advocating for the role of alumni networks in enhancing the quality of higher education. The ASAF conference stands as a key moment in reinforcing Africa-EU partnerships in educational development and showcasing the impact of collaborative efforts on future generations.
The conference concluded with a group photo and a networking dinner, allowing participants to reflect on the day's discussions and plan future initiatives aimed at improving higher education collaboration between Africa and Europe.
Milan Stojanovic, milan.stojanovic@western-balkans-alumni.eu
Serbia, Novi Sad, 07.10.2024
Edited by the Erasmus+ Support Service Team
