Agence universitaire de la Francophonie - Institutional Support 2015-2017

This grant constitutes Canada’s long-term institutional support to the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF). The AUF uses these funds and those of other donors to fulfil its mandate. The AUF’s mandate is to support and promote cooperation among member academic institutions. It encourages the emergence of new skills in support of development by promoting the quality and diversity of models of training research and governance within its member institutions. The AUF also promotes the role of universities in the world and provides a French-language forum for bringing together people and knowledge. Among other things Canada’s support for the AUF’s new programming helps to build the capacities of member institutions; favour better access to quality higher education for students in developing countries; and support teaching professional training and research in disciplines such as environment economics and management tropical medicine primary education and governance.

The expected outcomes as stated by the AUF include: (1) increased provision by French-language universities in developing countries of professional training suited to the needs of students professionals and research professors in developing countries; (2) improved teaching and research by research professors at universities in developing countries; (3) increased legitimacy and social scientific and technological relevance of French-language research findings; (4) improved governance of universities in developing countries; and (5) greater role for the AUF and its networks in dealing with public authorities and key international stakeholders.