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About AAU/
Présentation de l'AUA

What's New/
Dernières Nouvelles

Newsletter/
Lettre d'information 

Core Programme/
Programme majeur

Services to Members/
Services aux membres

Members/
Universités membres

Secretariat/
Secrétariat

Publications/
Publications

Contacting AAU/
Adresse de l'AUA

Useful Resources/
Autres Ressources 
sur l'Éducation 
 

5.1. Funding of the AAU programmes
 

During the year, progress was made in obtaining funds to implement the Core Programme approved by the 9^th General Conference in 1997. The main highlights in this regard are the following:

• midway towards the implementation of the Core programme (1997-2001), a little over 50% of the projected costs of the Core Programme has been secured;
• Membership fees, which have increased in the past three years as compared to prior periods, remain at about $250,000/year, which is equivalent to 50% of payment by members;
• One new agency, FINNIDA, started to contribute to the AAU funds in 1998/99;
• SAREC extended its support to Core activities this year, besides its traditional support to the Study Programme;
• IDRC, after a pause of two fiscal years, this year provided a bridging grant and opened the possibility of resuming its large support to the AAU;
• Ford Foundation is considering to almost triple its financial contribution in 1999/2001, as compared to the previous biennium. In addition, it is considering to fund a feasibility study and donate a substantial amount to an AAU Endowment Fund;
• The Dutch Development Assistance Agency, NEDA, maintained its support to the Study Programme. 

 

5.2. Membership matters
 

During the year, applications from five (5) African universities to join the AAU were approved which would bring the total number of member institutions to 151. They are:
 

- Moi University, Kenya

- Technikon South Africa

- Université de Dschang

- Université du Mali

- Université Mohamed V Souissi, Rabat
 

The approval of the application of a sixth was deferred as there were some doubts as to the status of the institution. Invitations for memberships have been prepared to be sent to all higher education institutions including private and public universities.
 

5.3. Staff Movement
 

Mr. Zoumana Bamba, former Head of the AAU information and Communication Division, left the Association in July 1999. He is currently working with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), Secretariat of Convention on Biological Diversity in Montreal (Canada), as Documentation Officer (Public Outreach).
 

Mr Yawo Assigbley, Information and Communication Specialist from Togo is currently acting as Head of the Information and Communication Division, while the process of recruitment to fill the position is underway.
 

5.4. Staff Annual Retreat
 

A retreat of professional staff, senior staff and programme assistants, engaged in administration and finances at the AAU Secretariat was held in Akosombo, Ghana, from 6^th to 8^th July 1998. The objectives of the retreat were the following:
 

• to undertake an assessment of achievements of the AAU in 1997/98;
• to highlight and identify the key goals and activities for 1998/99;
• to educate staff about strategic and annual planning of activities;
• to sensitize staff about the importance and potential of fund raising;
• to start a process of designing and implementing a strategy of marketing; and
• to gain a common understanding about issues of institutional culture and behavior.

• Balance 1997/98 and Plans 1998/99;
• Strategic Planning, Marketing and Annual Plans; and
• Institutional Culture.

The retreat, which was considered successful by the staff, closed with final conclusions and recommendations on each theme as well as on the AAU in general. One particular feature over the past 2 retreats was the invitation of the families of staff with the aim of providing an opportunity for interaction and socialization.
 

5.5. Monitoring and Evaluation of Programmes
 

A scheme for the internal monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of AAU Core Programme activities has been in operation since 1994. The internal aspect of the scheme involves the review of reports by AAU programme staff at quarterly staff meetings. This culminates in an Annual Staff Workshop, at which the programme activities of the previous year are reviewed and work plans for the following year settled. The main objectives of this system is to facilitate the effectiveness and efficiency of AAU's programmes and projects for them to meet the needs of member universities. The external aspect originally involved participation by External Consultants and a Special Adviser.
 

Following an assessment, the external aspect has been modified to reflect the build-up of experience within the AAU, the need to involve AAU member institutions more directly in the process, and concern to reduce the cost of the exercise. The essence of the modified scheme consists in the reduction in the number of External Consultants from two to one, the removal of the Special Advisor, the involvement of heads of selected member institutions who will receive quarterly reports and participate in the Staff Workshop, and the reduction of external participation in the Staff Workshop from an annual to a biennial event.