On 28 May 2025, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) hosted the COPAFEU Africa Day celebration virtually via Microsoft Teams. The event, which drew participants from COPAFEU partner universities in Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Africa, and Nigeria, as well as Hanken University in Finland, served as a reminder of the critical role intra-African and South-North collaboration plays in addressing the continent’s educational and developmental priorities.
The programme was officially opened by Professor Joseph Kioko, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at CPUT. In his opening remarks, Prof Kioko highlighted the significance of the COPAFEU collaborative project to educational and socio-economic transformation and advancement in Africa
The opening presentation was delivered by Dr Yewondwossen (Wonde) Tesfaye Gemechu from Hanken University in Finland, who reflected on “How COPAFEU Breaks the North-South Cycle and Levels the Platform for South-North Knowledge Transfer.” Dr Gemechu introduced COPAFEU and underscored how COPAFEU challenges traditional paradigms of academic exchange by promoting reciprocal learning and equitable partnerships between African and European institutions but also, ensuring cocreation by students through the Enhanced Service Learning modality.
This was followed by a thought-provoking joint presentation on “The Historical Roots of Service Learning in the Context of Sub-Saharan African Employment, Growth, and Jobs Challenges and Opportunities.” Dr Marinda Avenant of the University of the Free State, South Africa delivered the presentation that she developed jointly with Dr Yilfashewa Seyoum from Haramaya University, Ethiopia. The presentation traced the historical roots of traditional service learning and argued for the adoption of Enhanced Service Learning approaches to address pressing socioeconomic issues facing the continent.
A compelling panel discussion brought together academics from COPAFEU partner universities to deliberate on the theme: “The Role of Intra-Continental Higher Education Collaborative Projects like COPAFEU in Addressing Issues such as Sustainable Growth, Jobs, and the Knowledge Gap: Challenges and Opportunities.” The panellists provided insightful perspectives on the challenges faced by African countries, the challenges and opportunities associated with participation in projects such as COPAFEU and the potential of academic collaboration to unlock innovation, boost job creation, and bridge educational disparities across the continent.
A highlight of the event was a student-led panel discussion titled “Educating the African Student for 21st Century Challenges.” Students from various COPAFEU partner institutions shared their experiences and aspirations, offering powerful testimonies of how participation in the COPAFEU project has broadened their understanding of the world and empowered them to become change agents in their communities.
Throughout the programme, pre-recorded videos showcasing the diverse COPAFEU partner universities were interspersed between sessions. These video segments offered viewers a glimpse into the unique identities, cultures, academic programmes and contributions of the participating institutions, further reinforcing the spirit of unity and collaboration.
The 2025 COPAFEU Africa Day celebration was not only a celebration of African identity and solidarity but also a reaffirmation of the transformative power of collaborative higher education projects like COPAFEU in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for the continent. As the continent continues to face complex challenges, initiatives like COPAFEU provide a crucial platform for academic institutions, staff, and students to co-create innovative solutions and chart a path forward.
