10th UNESCO Africa Engineering Week and 8th Africa Engineering Conference

The Order of Engineers of Angola (OEA), in collaboration with UNESCO, the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO) and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), organized the 10th UNESCO Africa Engineering Week and the 8th Africa Engineering Conference, that took take place in Luanda, the capital of the Republic of Angola, between 9 and 13 September 2024.

From left to right: Martin Manuhwa, AEW Chair and Chair of the WFEO Committee on Engineering Capacity Building; Papias Kazawadi, FAEO President; Mustafa Shehu, WFEO President; Mário de Oliveira, Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication of Angola; Augusto Neto, OEA President; José Vieira, WFEO Past-president and Mohammed Kyari, African Union – Scientific, Technical and Research Commission

The theme was “Engineering the Future: Innovative Infrastructure Solutions for a Sustainable Africa and Swift AfCFTA Implementation”, which had the following subthemes:

Sustainability and Innovative Infrastructures;
Engineering and Acceleration of AfCFTA implementation;
Engineering Education and Capacity Building.

The event was a huge success with participation by representatives from:

the African Union – Scientific, Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC),
UNESCO,
WFEO,
FAEO and
National Engineering Institutions.

WFEO President Mustafa Shehu (center) at Panel Session

The total number of participants was over 500 engineering practitioners and over 1000 online delegates from 26 countries from Africa and worldwide.

The sessions discussed the “Innovative Infrastructure Solutions for a Sustainable Africa and a Swift AfCFTA Implementation” as well as “Engineering Education and Capacity Building“. A “Women in Engineering Conference” and “Young Engineering professionals Panel Session” also took place. The event featured comprehensive technical discussions and social interactions with primary and Junior High school students.

A keynote address was delivered by the special Guest of Honour, Honourable Minister Mario de Oliveira, Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology and Social Communication of Angola.

The Guest of Honour, African Union, WFEO, FAEO and UNESCO keynotes that were addressed recommended adoption of effective capacity building and quality engineering education for Africa.

The path forward requires commitment, collaboration, and continuous improvement for developing robust engineering capacity towards a FAEO Accord for Accreditation and an Agreement for Mobility of Professional Engineering Practitioners (Professional Engineer (FAEO), Professional Technologist (FAEO) & Professional Technician (FAEO)).

WFEO President Mustafa Shehu with Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication of Angola and Representatives of Institutions from other Countries

By implementing strong accreditation systems, aligning with international standards, and fostering regional cooperation, African nations can build world-class engineering education and best practices frameworks. This will produce graduates capable of driving innovation, sustainable development, and economic growth.

WFEO President Mustafa Shehu gave a keynote address at the Opening Session where he briefed the audience of the effort WFEO is making in promoting engineering in Africa through the Engineering Capacity Building for Africa Programme. Past President Prof. José Vieira also attended the conference and delivered a goodwill message.

The Luanda Declaration on “Engineering the Future: Innovative Infrastructure Solutions for a Sustainable Africa and Swift AfCFTA Implementation” was signed on 12 September by Mustafa Shehu, WFEO President; Martin Manuhwa, AEW Chair and Chair of the WFEO Committee on Engineering Capacity Building; Augusto Neto, OEA President and Papias Kazawadi, FAEO President.

The 10th UNESCO Africa Engineering Week and 8th Africa Engineering Conference Resolutions are available in this link.

Mustafa Shehu addressing delegates

Presidents of Engineering Organizations and Representatives of Countries from Africa and the World

7th African Women Engineers Forum 2024

Young Engineers Forum Photo Session

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