In 2017, the AU-EU summit paved the way for the recognition of science collaborations and the need for strengthening the research and innovation capacity of African universities as key priorities in the African-European partnership. Since then, huge progress has been achieved with regard to these two objectives, with particular momentum developing since late 2019.

University of Glasgow and the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) have held a one-day virtual event on the theme, “Enhancing Knowledge Transfer and Exchange in African Higher Education and Research”. This took place on 25^th February 2021. The Symposium attracted 70 participants from University of Glasgow, ARUA, the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities and various partners from across Scotland, the UK, Africa and other regions. The event was a buildup on a similar event held in February 2020 on, “Capacity Strengthening in Africa” during which ARUA and University of Glasgow signed an MoU.

A two-day meeting of ARUA Deputy Vice Chancellors has been held at Makerere University. The meeting took place on 4-5 September 2019, and was opened by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, who welcomed the participants and exhorted them to appreciate the values and goals of the network.

The ARUA VCs met between 24 and 26 April 2019 in Kigali, Rwanda. The meeting was hosted by Prof Phil Cotton on behalf of the University of Rwanda.