National Universities Commission

One day workshop the African Centres of Excellence Project.

16th July 2013

ACE - Defined

What?

African Centres of Excellence Project.

A World Bank-supported initiative.

ACE - Defined

What?

ACE seeks to promote regional specialization among African higher education institutions that are working on particular areas, common to regional development challenges.

First Phase is targeted at West and Central African countries.

ACE - Defined

What?

Countries participating in the first call include; Burkina Faso, Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo

Beneficiaries of demand-driven regional servicesLiberiaThe Gambia

Why ACE?

Despite this strong economic growth, West and Central Africa faces significant development challenge

Countries in these regions have witnessed rapid economic growth in the last decade but significant development challenges remain; including failure to meet MDG targets especially in maternal and child health, weak governance, state fragility, nutrition, youth unemployment and climate change.

Why ACE?

There are immediate skill shortages in addressing development challenges and poverty reduction in West and Central Africa.

This skills shortage is severe;•in the growing sectors of extractive industries, energy, water, and infrastructure; and in service sectors, such as hospitality, banking, and ICT.

•in the lack of health workers with the necessary training to deliver quality healthcare, or treat infectious and chronic diseases.

Why ACE?

Agricultural investments have not been accompanied by development of related human capital in post-farm high yielding technologies, crop and animal science, as well as veterinarians and agronomists

Sustained economic growth and competitiveness for Africa requires an increase in science and technology capacity, more skilled labour and applied industry-related research to increase technology absorption, raise total factor productivity, and generate new competitive sectors.

ACE Design

ACEs will be competitively selected and charged with the responsibility to promote regional specialization among participating universities in areas that address regional challenges and strengthen the capacities of these universities to deliver quality training and applied research

ACE Priority Areas

i. Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

ii. Health Sciencesiii. Agricultural Sciences

ACE – Project Components

Two Project Components;

Component 1: Strengthen Africa Centers of Excellence

This will seek to strengthen around eight to ten competitively selected institutions to produce highly skilled graduates and applied research to help address specific regional development challenges.

ACE – Project Components

Component 1: Strengthen Africa Centers of Excellence

The selection process will entail four main standard steps: •call for proposals to institutions•submission of Center of Excellence proposals through the NUC to the regional facilitation unit (AAU); •evaluation of proposals by independent African and international experts according to pre-defined criteria,•selection of institutions by the steering committee

and a no-objection by the World Bank.

ACE – Project Components

Component 2: Enhancing Regional Capacity Building, Evaluation, Facilitation and Collaboration (by the Association of African Universities)•Component 2.1, Enhancing Regional Capacity Building and Evaluation •Component 2.2, Demand-driven Regional Education Services

Overall Project Organogam/S

 

 

   

ACE

   

   

   

   

  

 

 

ACE Steering Committee

UniversityGovernment

(NUC/National Performance

Review Committee)

Industry/Sector Partners

Academic Partner institutions

Regional Facilitation Unit (AAU)

Each participating country’s RA for universities will serve as the coordinating secretariat

NPPRC set up by the RA will be responsible for first level evaluation of proposals as well as Project implementation support and supervision at the national level

Each ACE will be responsible for strategic planning and implementation of institutional proposal, M & E and reporting. The ACE will also be responsible for all fiduciary aspects required under World Bank guidelines for financial management, procurement and environment and social safeguards.

Implementation/Management /Decision Structure

Responsible for Project implementation support and supervision at the national level

Will have representation from NUC, FME, FMoF, selected ACEs (ACE Center Leaders and Head of Institution), WB co-TTL (observer status) and RFU Regional Project Facilitator or designate (observer status)

The NPPRC

/S

 

 

   

ACE

   

   

   

      

 

ACE Institutional Organogram

Management Team (Centre Leader – Lead

Proponent)

Main Department leading the

ACE

ACE

Supporting Department to the ACE

Administration (procurement,

financial management

and monitoring and evaluation)

Africa Centre of Excellence/S

 

 

   

ACE

   

   

   

      

 

ACE – Institutional Responsibilities

Selected institutions will implement their own Centre of Excellence proposal aiming to help address a specific regional development challenges through preparation of professionals (education), applied research and associated outreach activities with partners.

Goals:•High quality training•High impact applied research•Industry partnerships•International academic partnerships•Enhanced governance and management

Important notes: One lead institution, with collaborating partners

to submit maximum of two proposals in any of the priority areas

Maximum of US$8 million per proposal, but most likely $4m will be given

Proposals must address specific regional development challenges

Emphasis is placed on regional partnerships and collaboration with the private sector as well as international linkages

More points will be allocated to Anglophone – Francophone collaboration

Important Dates:

CFP: 15th July 2013 Submission to NUC: 16th August 2013 Review by National Project Performance and

Review Committee (NPPRC): 30th August 2013 Submission to AAU: 2nd September 2013 Final decision to be taken by the World Bank

Board of Executive Directors before the end of 2013

Thank you for your attention