Agence universitaire de la Francophonie – institutional support 2022 to 2025

This grant represents Canada’s long-term institutional support to the University Agency of La Francophonie (AUF). The AUF uses these funds and those of other donors to carry out its mandate which consists of supporting cooperation and solidarity among academic institutions that operate in French. Guided by its Strategy 2021 to 2025 the AUF contributes actively to the development of higher education and research in French. It supports academic and research institutions to improve the quality of training research and university governance; to foster graduates’ entry into the labour market and their employability; and to strengthen their involvement in the economic social and cultural development of societies. Project activities include: (1) strengthening the institutional and scientific capacity of universities in the global South; (2) fostering the emergence of centres of excellence in the global South; (3) improving the mobility of students teachers and researchers; and (4) fostering dialogue between all members of the academic community.

The expected outcomes as expressed by the AUF in its Strategy 2021 to 2025 include: (1) provided support to academic higher education and research institutions to promote their digital transformation and strengthen their governance; (2) increased employability labour market integration and entrepreneurship among young students academics and researchers; (3) strengthened networking and international cooperation within academic and research communities; (4) promoted and trained trainers and educational innovation better; and (5) leveraged French-language scientific research.