Development institutions have emphasized, almost exclusively, the role of primary education in Africa, while underestimating the impact of higher education on sustainable development on the continent. Join us for a provocative conversation on the catalytic role of higher education in Africa, its complexities, challenges, and outcomes. Panel including: Hilary Pennington- Ford Foundation, Dr. Allan E. Goodman- Institute of International Education, Peter Materu- The World Bank, and Patrick Awuah- Ashesi University.
Thursday, March 5, 2015, 6 – 8 PM* 30 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036 Penn Club, President’s Room Please RSVP to: events@ashesi.org * Doors open at 5:30 PM for networking, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres.
Moderated by:
Former Executive Vice President of the International Finance Corporation; Trustee, Ashesi University Foundation; Senior Advisor, Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Panel discussion featuring:
Vice president of Ford Foundation’s Education, Creativity and Free Expression program; Hilary leads the foundation’s work on school reform in the United States and higher education around the world, next-generation media policy and journalism, and support for arts and culture. She also oversees the foundation’s regional programming in four offices based in Africa and the Middle East.
President and Chief Executive Officer; The Institute of International Education is the leading not-for-profit organization in the field of international educational exchange and development training. IIE conducts research on international academic mobility, is the home of the Rescue Scholar Fund, and administers the Fulbright program sponsored by the United States Department of State, as well as over 250 other corporate, government and privately-sponsored programs.
Founder and President, of Ashesi University, an African initiated, world-class, non-profit, four-year university located outside of Accra, Ghana. Patrick left a successful career at Microsoft to return home to Ghana and start Ashesi University to educate a new generation of ethical leaders and innovative thinkers with the skills and courage needed to transform their continent.
Peter Materu – The World Bank
Peter Materu is currently Practice Manager for Education in West and Central Africa in the World Bank. Prior to position, Dr. Materu was Program Leader for higher education, Cluster Leader for 16 countries in the Africa Region. He also served as task team leader of several analytical and lending operations in higher education, science and technology. Before joining the World Bank, Dr. Materu was a Professor of Engineering at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania where he also served in the positions of Director for Graduate Studies and Research; and also as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.