Distinguished Africa Lecture 2026

Distinguished Africa Lecture 2026

Thursday 11th June 2026, 16:15-17:30

Guest speaker: Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana

Title: ‘Whose Language Counts? African Voices, Knowledge Systems and the Future of AI’.

The lecture will explore the topic through Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo’s dual perspective as both a linguist and a university leader. It will examine how African languages and knowledge systems can shape a fair and inclusive AI future, highlighting the importance of linguistic diversity and culturally grounded approaches to technological development. The session will showcase initiatives currently underway across the continent, particularly pioneering work at the University of Ghana, and present a positive, forward‑looking narrative of African innovation. It will also invite global partnerships to help co‑create multilingual, culturally informed AI systems.

Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana

Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo is the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana and a Professor of Linguistics. With close to two and a half decades of service in academia and university administration, she is widely recognised for her innovation, resourcefulness, and inclusive leadership. Her vision is anchored in two core principles: harnessing technology as an enabler and advancing human welfare across all operations of the University.

Appointed Vice-Chancellor in October 2021, after serving briefly as Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amfo previously held several key academic and administrative roles, including Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Founding Dean of the School of Languages, and Head of the Department of Linguistics. She has played a significant role in the governance of the University through service on numerous statutory, strategic, and advisory boards and committees. She currently chairs the Academic Board, Business and Executive Committee, and the Appointments and Promotions Board, among others.

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Africa Lecture Panel Discussion

Thursday 11th June 2026, 14:00- 15:30

Preceding the Distinguished Africa Lecture, we will be hosting our annual Africa Panel Discussion. This year, the conversation will centre on the theme:

“Towards Impactful and Equitable Partnerships between Universities in the Global North and South: Issues, Challenges and Actions.”

Academic cooperation between universities in the global North and South has pursued an upward trend in recent years, as exemplified by collaborations and partnerships at both bilateral and multilateral levels (such as the Guild-ARUA – Africa-Europe CoREs,etc). Discussions have focused on how to build, assess, and sustain partnerships that are fair, inclusive, and impact-driven, emphasizing evidence, accountability, and mutual benefit in international collaboration. Exchanges between key stakeholders on either side of the North-South divide have highlighted the need for robust frameworks that ensure partnerships deliver tangible results while advancing equity, trust, and long-term shared value. There is consensus on the need for a rethinking of traditional collaboration models and for advancing approaches grounded in shared value, mutual respect, and measurable impact. This could imply moving beyond transactional models ofpartnership and project deliverytowards more inclusive, trust-based relationships that strengthen institutional partnershipsand frameworks for collaboration that support training, capacity-building and shared ownership of outcomes, as well as priorities for developing data sharing and research infrastructure interoperability,thatcollectively through joint research addressing common global development challenges such as climate change, global pandemics,economic inequality, peace and security, etc. It is expected that the discussion would cover issues pertaining to:equitable and mutually beneficialresearch and education partnerships between universities in the global North and South, from the perspectives of priorities for transnational education (TNE) policy and action, institutional capabilities, funding, talent mobility, as well as approaches for navigating geopolitical contexts shaping collaboration and partnership.

Host: Prof Michael Scott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), University of Warwick

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Africa Partnerships Team

We connect Warwick with African universities through our Africa Partnerships Strategy. Led by Academic Directors for Africa, Professor Franklyn Lisk and Professor Dan Branch, the strategy addresses global challenges and supports the development of the region’s research and education leaders.

Supporting the Academic Directors for Africa, Prof Lisk and Prof Dan Branch, the Partnerships Team are here to help facilitate partnership development across Africa.

Corrina Greenwood

International Partnerships Manager

International Strategy and Relations

corrina.greenwood@warwick.ac.uk

Laura Townsend

International Partnerships Officer

International Strategy and Relations

L.Townsend@warwick.ac.uk