Carnegie Mellon University Africa announced today that the African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec) has signed its eighth university partner, Al Akhawayn University. The network, launched in 2022, provides a vehicle for technology-focused universities in Africa to engage in deep collaboration to drive inclusive digital growth, create technology development and job growth, and shape policy change.
Afretec Network members span the entire continent and include Carnegie Mellon University Africa, the American University in Cairo, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, University of Lagos, University of Nairobi, University of Rwanda, University of the Witwatersrand, and now, Al Akhawayn University.
“Welcoming an eighth university partner into the Afretec Network is an important milestone. We have been slow and intentional about our growth in order to build a strong foundation for the transformative impact that our members will make on the continent,” says Conrad Tucker, director of CMU-Africa and associate dean for international affairs-Africa. “The power of the Afretec Network comes from each individual partner and the collective group. In order to drive technology advancements across the continent, we need both local knowledge capacity and Africa-wide collaboration.”
The network is focused on goals in three areas:
- Producing critical, locally relevant innovations and globally competitive technology talent
- Developing a digital knowledge creation ecosystem
- Fostering a startup technology culture and ecosystem across Africa
Over the past two years, Afretec has made significant progress in its goals. The network has developed teaching and learning methodologies to prepare African engineering students with the skills and capabilities required for digital transformation. Afretec members are providing access to quality technical education through online programs and supporting high-performing students through graduate readiness programs. Afretec has awarded almost $5 million USD to research through a combination of one-year seed grants and three-year full grants. The network has also created over 150 internships and job opportunities for technology students and alumni from its member universities, fostering innovation, growth, and competitiveness in African small and medium-sized enterprises while encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset among students.
- - -
About the African Engineering and Technology Network:
The African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec) is a pan-African network made up of technology-focused universities across the continent, who will work together to drive the digital transformation of Africa. The network is led by Carnegie Mellon University Africa. Learn more by visiting www.afretec.org.
About the College of Engineering and CMU-Africa:
The College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University is a top-ranked engineering college that is known for our Advanced Collaboration culture in research and education. The College is well-known for working on problems of both scientific and practical importance. Our “maker” culture is ingrained in all that we do, leading to novel approaches and transformative results. Our acclaimed faculty have a focus on innovation management and engineering to yield transformative results that will drive the intellectual and economic vitality of our community, nation, and world.
Carnegie Mellon University Africa was established in 2011 through a partnership between Carnegie Mellon and the Government of Rwanda. CMU-Africa is the only U.S. research university offering its master’s degrees with a full-time faculty, staff, and operations in Africa. The institution is addressing the critical shortage of high-quality engineering talent required to accelerate the economic transformation of the African continent. For more information on the College of Engineering location in Africa, please visit: www.africa.engineering.cmu.edu.