Inaugural Conference

November 6-8, 2022

9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. CAT

Kigali, Rwanda

Agenda

All times in CAT

Sunday, November 6, 2022

  • 10:00 am-1:00 pm Optional Kigali City Tour, Open-air bus 
  • 6:00-9:00 pm Welcome Cocktail and Afretec Member Introductions, CMU-Africa Lobby

Monday, November 7, 2022 – Conference Day 1

  • 7:10 am Bus from Marriott Hotel to CMU-Africa
  • 8:00–08:25 am Registration and Coffee Networking
  • 8:30–10:25 am Conference Kick-Off, Keynote Address, and Panel Discussion -- Allen Robinson
    • Welcome to CMU-Africa remarks -- Allen Robinson
    • Welcome to Rwanda remarks -- Minister Valentine Uwamariya, Minister of Education for the Government of Rwanda
    • Introduction of External Keynote -- Bill Sanders
    • External Keynote: Mastercard Foundation vision and how Afretec/Center for Inclusive Digital
    • Transformation of Africa fits with strategy -- Pauline Gangla, Head of Scholars Program Eastern & Southern Africa Partner Network at the Mastercard Foundation
    • Introduction of Afretec: Purpose, vision, mission, governance -- Allen Robinson
    • Introduction of university members, introduction to panel -- Allen Robinson
    • Panel Discussion: Afretec to advance education, knowledge creation, and entrepreneurship in Africa -- Allen Robinson
      • one representative, the Network Coordinator, from each partner (2 min/question)
      • Two goals that you would like to achieve through Afretec
      • Two learnings from other collaborative activities that would benefit Afretec
    • Conference charge -- Tim Brown, Interim Director of Knowledge Creation & Education Network at CMU-Africa
    • Discussion Q&A

CROSS-CUTTING THEME – HOW CAN WE SHARE INNOVATIONS AT INDIVIDUAL UNIVERSITIES AND THEN LEVERAGE THEM ACROSS THE ENTIRE NETWORK?

  • 10:30–10:50 am Tea and Networking
  • 10:50 am–1:05 pm Entrepreneurship Pillar–How can Afretec catalyze and support entrepreneurship and job growth in Africa’s technology sectors
    • Activities organized by Afretec Network entrepreneurship team led by Nithaya Chetty, Faculty of Science at Witwatersrand University and Sunday Adebisi, Associate Professor in the Department of Business Administration at University of Lagos
  • 1:05–1:20 pm Entrepreneurship Pillar Inclusion and Impact
  • 1:20–2:20 pm Lunch and Networking
  • 2:20-4:35 pm Knowledge Creation Pillar: How can Afretec accelerate digital knowledge creation to promote technology development and job-creating innovation?
    • Activities organized by Afretec Network knowledge creation team led by Karim Seddik, Professor, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research School of Sciences and Engineering at American University of Cairo and Jane Ambuko, Associate Professor of Horticulture, Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection at University of Nairobi
  • 2:30-4:00 pm Introductory Board Meeting
    • Location - CMU-Africa Campus future IIL
    • Attendees: Afretec Board of Directors plus visiting dignitaries
    • Afterward, back to the conference to join the Knowledge Creation session or transport back to the hotel.
  • 4:35–4:50 pm Knowledge Creation Pillar Inclusion and Impact
  • 4:50-5:15 pm Recap, overview, and close of day 1, preview day 2
  • 5:20 pm Bus Departs to the Marriott Hotel
  • 6:30–9:30 pm Afretec Inaugural Launch Dinner and Signing Ceremony at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
    • Emcee: Monica Sumbi, Associate Director of Marketing and Communication at CMU-Africa 
    • Welcome -- Allen Robinson
    • Marking the occasion remarks from Carnegie Mellon University -- Bill Sanders
      Marking the occasion remarks from Mastercard Foundation -- Rica Rwigamba, Rwanda Country Head for the Mastercard Foundation
    • Formal signing from each university’s highest-ranking participant
    • Dinner
    • Slideshow from the first day
    • Traditional dance group

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 – Conference Day 2

  • 7:25–8:15 am Transportation from Marriott hotel to CMU-Africa campus
  • 8:15–8:45 am Arrival and Coffee Networking
  • 8:45–11:00 am Education Pillar: How can Afretec advance excellence in ICT Teaching and Learning to create a workforce prepared for, and driving, inclusive digital transformation of Africa?
    • Activities organized by Afretec Network teaching and learning team led by Raymond Ndikumana, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Rwanda and Doudou Fall, Universite Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar
  • 11:00–11:15 am Education Pillar Inclusion and Impact
  • 11:15–11:35 am Tea Break
  • 11:35 am–1:20 pm Team Summary and Planning Breakout
  • 1:20–2:20 pm Lunch and Networking
  • 2:20–3:30 pm Inclusion and Impact. How can Afretec increase participation by students from under-represented and marginalized communities in ICT education, knowledge creation, and entrepreneurship
    • Activities organized by Afretec Network inclusion and impact team led by Nancy Biwott, Associate Director of Diversity & Inclusion at CMU-Africa and Ruksana Osman, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at Witwatersrand University
  • 3:30–3:50 pm Team reports on Top 2 Most Impactful Activities
  • 3:50–4:10 pm Presentation of graphic harvest for three pillar areas
  • 4:10–4:40 pm Recap of conference activities. Discussion of next steps -- Tim Brown
  • 4:40–4:45 pm Conference closing -- Allen Robinson
    • Close of day 2 and close of formal conference activities – conference delegates to depart

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