Leadership Transition and Future Vision: 2A2E-V's 3rd General Assembly
The African Association of Veterinary Education Establishments (2A2E-V) convened its 3rd General Assembly (GA) in hybrid mode on November 27, 2024, during the Continental Conference “Towards a More Resilient Veterinary Education in Africa,” held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. The conference was organized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
The 2A2E-V General Assembly brought together 60 Deans of Veterinary Education Establishments (VEEs) from AU Member States or their representatives.
During the opening ceremony, the Director of AU-IBAR, Dr. Huyam Salih, delivered remarks through Dr. Hiver Boussini. She stated, “I look upon 2A2E-V to continue supporting the resolution of the many challenges facing the animal resources sector in Africa and to strengthen 2A2E-V through partnerships with organizations such as CIVME and AAVMC to enhance the quality of veterinary education, training, and research in Africa.”
The outgoing Chair of 2A2E-V, Prof. Dietmar Holm, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the association from 2021. Dr. Néo Mapitse, WOAH Sub-Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, highlighted the critical role of quality veterinary education as a foundation for effective veterinary services.
The General Assembly unanimously adopted several key resolutions aimed at steering the association toward a sustainable future. In his closing remarks, Prof. Dietmar Holm of the University of Pretoria summed up the collective vision by stating, “The future is ours!”
The following academics, drawn from VEEs from the 5 regions of Africa, were elected during the 3rd General Assembly to steer the activities of 2A2E-V for the next 2 years.
President:
Prof Noursaid Tligui from Hassan II Institute in Rabat, Morocco
1st Vice President:
Prof John Mande from the University of Nairobi, Kenya
2nd Vice President:
Prof Yalace Kaboret from the Insterstates School of Science and Veterinary Medicine (EISMV) in Dakar, Senegal
Secretary General:
Dr Thoko Kapalamula from LUANAR (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources) in Malawi
Treasurer:
Prof Patient Pyana Pati from the National Pedagogic University in the DRC
Member for North Africa:
Prof Mohamed Ghanem from Benha University in Egypt
Member for West Africa:
Prof Olufunke Ola-Davies from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Member for East Africa:
Prof Abdelrahim Ali from the University of West Kordofan in Sudan
Member for Southern Africa:
Dr Anna Marais from the University of Namibia
Member for Central Africa:
Dr. Nji Njayou Nigapagna from University des Monagnes in Cameroun
The incoming President of 2A2E-V, Prof. Noursaid Tligui, expressed gratitude to the outgoing President, Prof. Dietmar Holm, for his exemplary leadership and commended the outgoing members of the Executive Committee (EXCO) for their dedication. Prof. Tligui warmly welcomed the new members and emphasized the importance of collaboration among veterinary schools across Africa to uphold and promote high standards of veterinary training.
Above: The 2A2E-V outgoing president, Prof. Dietmar Holm, with the Incoming President, Prof. Noursaid Tligui
The African Association of Veterinary Education Establishments was officially launched on July 26, 2018, by the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of Egypt during its 1st General Assembly, held in Cairo, Egypt.
The creation of 2A2E-V was initiated in response to an urgent call from AU Member States in 2017 to establish a continental platform for peer learning and information exchange. This platform aimed to enhance the quality of veterinary education, training, and research, thereby improving the performance of veterinary services and contributing to the socio-economic development of Africa.
The association was founded with the following objectives:
1. To enhance collaboration among all African Veterinary Education Establishments
2. To spearhead the development of a continental quality assurance framework;
3. To harmonize veterinary curricula, research and community service by establishing reference standards;
4. To enhance dissemination of innovation and good practices;
5. To build capacity among educators in African Veterinary Education Establishments and
6. To promote quality facilities at African Veterinary Education Establishments.