Call for Exhibitions: Academia-Public-Private Partnership Forum and Exhibitions 2016

Posted in Press Release

CALL FOR EXIBITIONS

Background

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the East African Business Council (EABC) and the East African Development Bank (EADB) are jointly organizing the Academia-Public-Private Partnership Forum and Exhibitions 2016, which will be held under the theme “Quality Education, Research and Innovation as Drivers of New Economies in the EAC”. The Forum, which will be hosted by the Aga Khan University, an IUCEA member university, is expected to demonstrate some of the practical outputs emanating from research and innovation in the region, in the form of innovative products and services to drive the new economies, focusing on ICT, tourism, agro-industry, financial services, and oil and gas. Other discussions will focus on the establishment of centres of excellence in East Africa, including the Eastern and Southern Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence (ACE II) project (supported by the World Bank), East Africa’s Centres of Excellence for Skills and Tertiary Education in Biomedical Sciences (supported by African Development Bank), and the proposed centres of excellence in humanities and social sciences (supported by IUCEA). Finally, there will be a session on the implications of the declaration of East Africa as a Common Higher education Area.

Running parallel with the Forum will be exhibitions, that are intended to enable the academia, the public and the private sectors to display the practical aspects of their operations, products, services and achievements as a way of enhancing linkages between the academia, the public and the private sectors in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship development in the region.

Call for Participation in the Exhibitions

Higher education institutions, private sector institutions, and public institutions are hereby invited to participate in the Exhibitions. Participation in the Exhibitions will be an excellent opportunity to showcase institutional profiles, services, and products to various stakeholders, including the academia, the private sector, and the general public. The exhibitions will also provide the opportunity for the exhibitors to interact with the best and most ambitious talents in the private sector and academia, for the eventual productive engagement between these complimentary systems.

Dates and Venue for the Exhibitions

The 2016 Forum and Exhibitions will be held on October 20-21 2016 at the Diamond Jubilee Hall, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The decision to host the Forum at the university is to encourage participation of academic and non-academic staff, students and the general public.

Participants Expected to Attend the Exhibitions

a) Those who will already be participating in the Forum, namely:

• The private sector fraternity in East Africa and beyond - business leaders and employers (manufacturers, bankers, transporters, telecommunication providers, venture capitalists); SMEs; etc.
• The academic and research fraternity in East Africa and beyond – education managers and administrators, including vice-chancellors, rectors, principals, provosts, registrars, deans, directors, and professors from higher education/research institutions across East Africa
• Policy makers and government officials in East Africa
• The media

b) Others expected to attend the exhibitions (to sample available opportunities) will include:

• Students, i.e. current and prospective Alumni
• Prospective candidates for higher education institutions
• Leaders of higher education placement agencies
• Parents
• Invited groups and the general public
• Potential buyers and customers of products and services

Provisions to Exhibitors

a) 3 m x 3 m exhibition stand with name, lighting, power and internet points at the exhibition section next to the venue of the Forum (Additional stands will be available on request but at a cost of USD 200)

b) Exhibition furniture, including one table and two chairs

c) One page profile in the official forum catalogue (each exhibitor to submit)

d) Visit by the Guest of Honor

e) Visit by more than 500 persons including Forum participants and the general public

f) Media coverage

Registration Fee for Participation

Each participating IUCEA member higher education institutions and members of the EABC and EADB will be provided with one free booth. If there is an institution that requires more space for exhibition, kindly let the organizers know in advance (this will cost US$ 200 per extra exhibition booth/stand). Maximum 2 participants per institution will be supported with teas and lunch.

Participation for non-members of IUCEA, EABC and EADB will be charged at US$ 500 per exhibition booth/stand.

Deadline for submission of intention to participate in the Exhibitions

Those intending to participate in the Exhibitions should register at www.iucea.org/forum by 30th September, 2016.

ECOWAS, TMEA Delegations visit EAC Secretariat in Arusha

Posted in Press Release

The officials from the Departments of Trade, Customs and Infrastructure of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) led by Transport Facilitation  and Policy Expert, Mr. Appiah Christian  and Trademark East Africa led by Director General, David Stanton  today paid a working visit to the EAC Headquarters and held discussions with the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko and other EAC Senior officials.

The purpose of their visit was to gain insight on major developments realized as well as challenges experienced within the EAC especially on areas of Trade and Customs, Investment, and infrastructure  as well as sharing  experience of the same from ECOWAS.

In his welcoming remarks, the Secretary General hailed the good relationship  between EAC and ECOWAS  as well as the increasing opportunities for  inter-regional trade brought about by the establishment of regional economic communities (RECs) in Africa.

Amb. Mfumukeko, emphasised the increasing collaboration between the EAC and ECOWAS. He said the EAC was keen on what ECOWAS has attained in the area of financial integration and movements of people.

Noting the establishment of a tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) between the East African Community (EAC), South African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Secretary General said he looked forward to the FTA linking up with ECOWAS and other RECs to form an African Continental FTA (CFTA).

Accompanying the Secretary General, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Dr Enos Bukuku, briefed the ECOWAS delegation on the major developments taking place in the integration process, notably the operationalization of the EAC Customs Union especially on the Single Customs Territory and status of implementation of the  infrastructure projects going on in the region.

Dr Bukuku informed the delegation that the EAC region was undertaking ambitious regional infrastructure development programme in roads, railways, telecommunications and civil aviation. He hailed the Trademark East Africa for their support to some of the projects particularly One Stop Border Post (OSPB) and the Establishment of Single Customs Territory.

The EAC official informed the delegation that EAC is a people-centered community and the involvement of the private sector, women and youth entrepreneurs, as well as ordinary citizens of East Africa in the integration agenda is critical.

On his part, the leader of delegation from ECOWAS, Mr. Appiah Christian, thanked his host for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to them and commended the EAC Secretariat for the enormous work done that has led to important milestones in the integration process.

Speaking on the ECOWAS administrative structure, Mr Appiah informed the EAC team that in January 2007, the Secretariat of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with its headquarters in Abuja was transformed into a Commission headed by a President, assisted by a Vice President and Commissioners.

By becoming a Commission with enhanced powers and Commissioners in charge of smaller and clearly defined sectors, the ECOWAS Secretariat has more impact and become more visible in Member States, asserted Mr. Appiah Christian.

He elaborated a number of projects and programmes under ECOWAS Vision 2020 which focus on making EACOWAS more closer to the people than ever before.

The Director General of Trademark East Africa, Mr. David Stanton said that Trademark was very happy with the  relationship with EAC.  ‘’I am looking forward to a strong partnership in the development of the regional bloc and facilitating more regional bloc study visits in future”.