On 20 August 2025, the United Nations University (UNU) and the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Tokyo will co-host “Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education in Africa: Advancing Innovation for Sustainable Progress", a thematic side event of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).
This event will feature a panel discussion examining the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping higher education across Africa, with a particular focus on how emerging technologies can support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The event will highlight the vital roles of education leaders and policymakers in ensuring that AI technologies are equitably and effectively deployed.
The panel discussion will feature prominent government officials and academic experts exploring innovative strategies to harness AI for advancing education and sustainable development across Africa. The discussion will address key topics such as the opportunities and challenges of AI in African higher education systems, strategies to promote equitable access to AI-driven learning tools, and policy recommendations to align AI integration with national and global development priorities.
Panellists will include:
- Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of UNU and Under-Secretary-General of the UN
- Professor Atsufumi Yokoi, UNESCO Chair in Research and Education for Sustainable Development, Okayama University
- Additional experts and officials at the Ministerial level (to be confirmed)
Please note that this event will be in English with simultaneous interpretation in Japanese. Advance registration (by 13 August at 15:00) is required.
