African Union University, International - AUU International was founded on the premise that geography and circumstance should be no barrier to tertiary education. The University is not affiliated with the African Union. Our Pan-African research and global affiliations with world leading institutions inspired the name, AUU International. The University is committed to fostering knowledge, innovation, and sustainable development. With a rich heritage and a forward-looking vision, AUU stands as a beacon of educational excellence, research, and community engagement across the African continent. African Union University offers the chance for researchers or students who enjoy conducting research to join us as well as the chance for others to learn about some of the research conducted by African Union University. We always provide alternatives to assist our researchers to benefit from the research that we conduct as the research center in Africa.

AUU International's  Academic Courses as well as its Professional Courses are accredited by the Global Academy of Finance and Management (GAFM) Board of Standards.  This accreditation supports AUU's  vision for 2025 and beyond by ensuring that AUU Graduates receive an academic certificate recognised internationally, and a professional certificate at the same time with two years GAFM Professional membership. Our teaching techniques will infuse practical training tailored towards the general aspects of the postgraduate programme and specific practice areas to ensure the graduates have the requisite Skills and knowledge to be academic graduates and become Certified. For example, a graduate of project management will get an academic degree in that field and a Certification on Project management. This will make our graduates stand out.

The traditional method of teaching combined with practical and robust case studies will be adopted to achieve academic excellence. This is the current approach being used by world class Universities. Our teaching modus operandi comes with practical case studies and weekly online class assignments and engagements. For online courses, we ensure practical exercises are given weekly to keep the engagement going with class discussions for students. This will help amplify their understanding and skills in the specific field of study. Graduates will usually pay a fortune just to get advanced training from a Certified and Accredited Training Centre. But with the AUU postgraduate programme, graduates can get Certified Professional Certificates with two years GAFM membership because our graduate degrees are accredited by GAFM Board of Standards and this makes our graduates qualified to receive direct membership and Certifications at a very low cost.

Professor Ehi Eric Esoimeme Esq., Director of Academics and International Relations and Vice Chancellor, AUU International

The AUU Strategic Plan 2024-2025, “Together, we can do this”, was approved by the Academic Board in June 2024. The plan articulates a vision and purpose for AUU, and outlines six (6) strategic priorities. The AUU Teaching and Learning Plan 2024-2025 and the AUU Research Plan 2024-2025 underpin the strategic plan. These documents provide greater detail on the outcomes to be achieved and the strategies that will be pursued in relation to the core business of the University. As such, these documents are described as the University’s “core strategies”.

Vision:

Our vision is ambitious yet aspirational: AUU aspires to be one of the leading continental universities in research and community development. Our goal is to stand at the forefront of institutions that drive progress, address societal challenges, and foster unity and progress. By 2025, we will be the university of choice for students and researchers who desire to transform their lives and help to build resilient communities.

Our Mission

At AUU, our mission is to produce graduates who are not only academically competent but also passionately dedicated to engaging in innovative and impactful research. By nurturing a culture of critical thinking and problem-solving, we strive to contribute significantly to sustainable development and positive change.

Purpose:

Our role is to develop individual aspirations, potential and capability and to enhance the future of our communities through quality research, fostering innovation and delivering a formative educational experience. Our heart is our virtual campus embedded in research. The magnitude of our research and student participation is global. We will connect with our students for life. We will build enduring, global partnerships with industry, professions, business and government.

Our Faculties

AUU is committed to advancing and supporting the work of academics through its research and education programs delivered through its faculties:

I. Faculty of Social Science

Delve into the complexities of human society and behaviour with our diverse programs in History, Sociology, Conflict, Peace and Security, Social Media, Anthropology, Geography, Archaeology, Photography & Journalism, Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Criminal Justice and Law, Artificial Intelligence and Law.

II. Faculty of Business Administration:

Elevate your business acumen with programs in Accounting, Marketing, Hospitality Management, Analysis, Environmental Management, Public Administration, and Film Directing.

III. Faculty of Education

Prepare yourself for a rewarding career in education with our comprehensive programs in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Adult Education, and specialized subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Sport Coaching.

IV. Faculty of Information Technology
Stay at the forefront of technological advancements with programs in Geology, Computer Science, Information Technology, Website Designing, Cyber Security, Automotive Technology, Software Engineering, and Media.

V. Faculty of Theological Studies

Explore the rich tapestry of theological studies with programs in Church History, Christian Leadership, and Biblical Law.

VI. Faculty of Naturopathy

Embrace the healing power of nature with our faculty of Naturopathy. Dive into programs that focus on Naturopathy, Herbology, and Nutrition, and learn how to promote holistic well-being and natural remedies.

Our Strategic Priorities:

1.             Delivery of Excellent Research with High Impact

2.             Delivery of an Outstanding Student Experience

3.             Diversify and Grow Income

4.             Digital Dominance

5.             Improve Operational Resilience

6.              Create a Bold and Innovative Culture of research - A research programme at African Union University gives you the opportunity to investigate a specific topic in real depth amongst field-leading researchers with first-class facilities. Completing a research programme will demonstrate a high level of skill and a deep understanding of your subject.

Research programmes involve the in-depth study of a specified field over an extensive period. The results of this research are written in the form of a thesis or dissertation, demonstrating your original contribution of knowledge or practice to your chosen discipline. Opportunities for supervised research are available in all our academic schools.

A PhD will typically take three years full-time, and an MPhil one year. The majority of our research programmes can also be studied part-time.

We encourage you to explore opportunities in academic schools outside your original degree subject as you may find that many of them offer research areas that link with your area of interest.

These programmes provide advanced research training and specialist knowledge before you embark on your specific research project.

Professor Paul Allieu Kamara, Registrar and Pro Vice-Chancellor, AUU International

Implementing the AUU Model across our largest student cohorts and courses will entail a multi-year program of investment, a large component of which is programmed for the 2024-2025 planning period. In September 2024, we will consolidate the success of the Academic Concierge and roll this service out across some of our largest programs. For many prospective students, their initial experience with AUU will involve a conversation with an Academic Concierge who will provide personalised guidance and advice to tailor a personalised program of study to meet the student’s needs taking into account existing education and experience. Further work will be undertaken during this period to refine the service, and establish it as business as usual by 2026.

In 2025, we will commence the redesign of flexible curriculum and assessment that will enable a more flexible academic calendar with the ultimate objective of achieving continuous enrolment and assessment. In 2025, our offerings will include multiple entry points, and flexibly paced initial units, to enable students to commence their degrees at any point in the year. In 2025, as we commence widespread implementation for the AUU Model, our programs will incorporate different options for undertaking units, which vary in pace and intensity allowing students to stop and start between units while remaining engaged with the University. This will be complemented by nested exit awards developed for each program.

In 2025, we will focus intensively on redesigning the curriculum of some of our largest courses, at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. We will also introduce a streamed system of enrolment options across our most popular degrees to ensure that our students commence study in their chosen field at the most appropriate level – having regard to their individual circumstances and capacities. These decisions will be made with the student at the time of enrolment with the support of the Concierge enrolment model. This builds on the scaffolding already in place with our Bespoke courses. All students who apply to study at AUU will be offered a place, and a pathway to meet their unique learning, personal and career development objectives.

Some of the initiatives we will undertake within this program of work include:

I.     Academic Concierge: Starting in 2025, the broader introduction of the Academic Concierge support model, which was developed under the Bespoke project, will provide personalised triage services to guide students through the course selection and enrolment process. This change will trigger changes to the AUU paradigms regarding our student support workforce.

This is a deliberate opportunity to question existing structures and rethink the workforce we need into the future, their skills and career trajectories, and the culture of these teams.

II.        Learning Environment Renewal: During 2025 an extensive consultation process will be conducted with the AUU community to consider the requirements for our virtual learning environments into the future and procure the systems that will form this environment. Into 2026 any required implementations and transitions will be undertaken. The new technologies will significantly enhance AUU’s teaching to include immersive multimedia/virtual reality; and ePortfolio systems that records authentic learning.

III.      Curriculum Incubator: Over the 2024-2025 period, the curriculum incubator will play a central role in redeveloping our curricula in line with the AUU Model. We will target some of our largest enrolment courses such as the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. The Incubator will also continue to undertake work towards specific commercial short course offerings including AUU Boost Courses. These courses produced as part of the curriculum incubator are designed to facilitate rapid and innovative course development by sitting beyond the regular structures of Faculties.

IV.      Learning Analytics: In 2025, we will commence the implementation of dynamic learning analytics at AUU. This will enable our staff and students to access data and insights that support evidence-informed engagement with, and design of, learning, teaching and engagement activities. This project will support the implementation of measures to enhance our ambitious retention program, learning environment renewal and Madgwick Campus.

V.         Online student engagement and support: Commencing online students are identified as a cohort requiring additional support and engagement to improve their success in higher education. From 2025 we will reintroduce the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) for online students with all fee income allocated to providing additional engagement, support and related amenities for our online students.

VI.      From 2025, we will focus on enhancing our partnerships with commercial organisations and third party providers. We will also consolidate our relationship with Erythras International University (EIU) to ensure that offerings between AUU and EIU have clearer pathways, and are interlinked to provide a wider range of options for potential students. By developing entry Diplomas for each faculty, students with non-traditional pathways of education can be offered a place at AUU, subject to completing appropriate enabling studies within the Diploma. The Diplomas will also be used to recognise prior learning and/or professional experience where applicable.

VII.      Building on the findings of recent sector wide report on the student experience, we will put in place an institution wide approach to improve our retention rate by 3% each year from 2024-2025. The implementation of the AUU model and the personalised engagement and support we provide will support this target. Our curriculum design will be informed by research indicating the designs and assessment practices that promote student success.

VIII.        AUU Retention Strategy: In 2025, we will develop a coordinated retention strategy, with local and central implementation that leverages both the AUU Model curriculum reforms and other analytics-driven student intervention strategies to maximise success and retention.

The Value of Partnerships

Research

Our strategy towards achieving research excellence is mature, with key initiatives outlined in the Research Plan well underway. In 2024 and beyond, our research will continue to build upon our existing strengths while nurturing areas of emerging strength. We will continue to develop new research talent through allocation of postdoctoral fellowships to ensure a sustainable research workforce. We will also invest in areas of emerging strength through strategic allocation of Higher Degree Research (HDR) stipends and postdoctoral fellowships in support of strong research outcomes, with a specific focus on research that will impact the everyday lives of our regional communities and industries to support their capacity to sustain healthy livelihoods.

People and Culture

Our people and our culture are key enablers for our organisation. The scope and scale of the organisational changes required to realise our strategic priorities will require significant investment. While initiatives commenced through this program in 2024 will continue, a major new focus will be on developing a plan and capability to achieve the organisational changes essential to achieve other strategic priorities.

Some of the initiatives we will undertake within this program of work include:

Workforce Planning: Development of our 2025 vision, in particular the AUU model, will entail major changes to our future workforce structure, composition and capability. These changes will entail significant lead times and require detailed planning to meet the urgency of change without creating undue disruption. In 2024, we will commence a planning exercise that will create a clear and detailed plan to achieve an organisation with the capabilities to deliver on the promise of the AUU model and other elements of our 2025 vision.

Professor Ehi Eric Esoimeme Esq., Director of Academics and International Relations and Chairperson of AUU International Academic Board