Universities challenged to prepare AI-ready graduates

DAR ES SALAAM: AFRICAN universities have been challenged to prepare graduates for technology-driven labour markets as higher education leaders gather in Dar es Salaam for the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP).

Speaking ahead of the sevenday meeting at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Deputy-Vice Chancellor for Research, Professor Nelson Boniface, said universities must go beyond awarding qualifications by strengthening research, innovation and practical solutions to economic and social challenges.

“The meeting will provide an opportunity to strengthen research engagement and build capacity among universities and academics,” Prof Boniface said at a press conference yesterday.

Held under the theme Reimagining Higher Education for Africa’s Future: Leadership, Innovation and Global Partnerships, the forum will bring together representatives from 12 universities across 10 African countries and Michigan State University, which anchors the consortium.

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Prof Boniface said the discussions would focus on graduate preparedness, research collaboration and stronger partnerships capable of attracting international funding, expanding student and staff exchanges and increasing joint research projects.

He said universities from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mali, Senegal and Nigeria would share expertise and explore solutions to common education and development challenges.

“For Tanzania, the real value will be measured by what follows the meeting. Stronger academic networks can unlock research partnerships, new projects and international funding, but these opportunities will only translate into lasting gains if institutions sustain collaboration and have the capacity to deliver,” he said.

Prof Boniface said the forum would also review nearly a decade of AAP collaboration, with participating institutions assessing progress since Tanzania last hosted the annual meeting in 2017.

UDSM Director for Internationalisation, Convocation and Advancement, Dr Augustina Alexander, said artificial intelligence and employment would feature prominently through a public dialogue examining how universities can equip graduates for evolving workplaces.

She said the programme will also cover public leadership, research, innovation, gender and inclusion, alongside an innovation forum exploring how research can be transformed into enterprises, products and services.