World Bank launches ‘centres of excellence’ initiative

By Ishmael Tongai. The World Bank expects to kick off a new US$430 million Africa “Centres of Excellence” initiative next month, aimed at strengthening capacity in universities in West and Central Africa. The project will promote regional specialisation among participating universities and strengthen their ability to deliver quality training and research. Andreas Blom, the World Bank’s lead economist for African education, launched the project at the 13th Association of African Universities Conference of Rectors, Vice-chancellors and Presidents of African Universities (COREVIP), held in Gabon’s capital Libreville late last month. The World Bank will invest US$129 million, and institutions will be eligible to apply for funding of up to US$8 million per excellence centre, Kavita Watsa, the bank’s senior communications officer for Africa, told University World News. Read more...