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An opportunity to lead AAU |
STATEMENT ON LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AT THE AAU SECRETARIAT
The Executive Board of the Association of African Universities wishes to inform members and other key stakeholders of the Association that a leadership transition is underway at AAU. Professor Akilagpa Sawyer’s tenure of office as Secretary-General ends in mid-2008. In view of this, the Executive Board has taken the decision to advertise the post of Secretary-General.
It will be recalled that Professor Sawyerr served as Director of Research at the Secretariat of the Association from August 1993. The Executive Board resolved to request Professor Sawyerr to take up the position of Secretary-General in July 2003 following an assessment of the condition of the Association at the time. A strong intervention was needed to reverse a serious loss of momentum in the Association’s programme work; a consequent decline in the quality of service provision to its members; a crisis of legitimacy with key partners on the continent; and, the erosion of its international visibility, and of the confidence of donor partners. Professor Sawyerr was mandated to restructure the Secretariat and to implement a programme to revitalise the Association.
Since then, the Executive Board has developed a more focused strategy for the AAU within which the Secretary-General has achieved a more streamlined secretariat, with more robust systems of financial and human resources management. In turn, this has resulted in vigorous project development and fundraising, and has increased outreach to members, and deepened the Association’s interaction with major constituencies and stakeholder across Africa and internationally. Though the process of reform and improvement is still on-going, the Board is fully satisfied that the strengthening of the Secretariat and its systems, the financial stability and the restoration of external credibility over the last four years, have re-established the capacity of the Association to meet its expanded mandate in the new environment for African higher education.
Against this background, the Board, at its last meeting in June 2007, acceded to the request of Professor Sawyerr to leave the service of the Association next year, as soon as a successor is appointed. The Board expressed its appreciation to Professor Sawyerr for the commitment, energy and focus with which he brought and steered vital changes at the Secretariat. In this, the AAU benefited greatly from the vast experience, high esteem, and integrity Professor Sawyerr brought to his tenure as Secretary-General. He will leave AAU a healthier and stronger organisation.
The process for the appointment of a new Secretary-General has started. The Board expects to be able to announce, before the end of the year, the appointment of a person fully capable of maintaining the momentum of improvement and effectiveness in the work of the Association.
In conclusion, the Board wishes to express its appreciation to members of the Association, donor partners, and other stakeholders who have kept faith with the Association, and to assure all that the Association is now in a position to continue to fulfil its enormous mandate to African higher education and continental development in meeting its formidable challenges ahead.
PROFESSOR NJABULO S. NDEBELE
President, Association of African Universities
September 2007 |
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