Events

1. Background

Technological innovation, demographic shifts, and geopolitical shifts are changing global labor market trends. Universities have an increasingly vital role to play in responding to these changes by training a workforce with the knowledge and skills relevant to industry and society.

The African Union’s Agenda 2063 emphasizes the critical role of education and skills development in achieving “The Africa We Want.” This was later codified into continental frameworks, such as the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16-25) and the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa ( STISA -2034), to highlight the need for higher education institutions to evolve and meet the demands of the future of work.

The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif), a flagship initiative of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET), is strategically positioned to address these policy priorities. Committed to strengthening research and innovation capacity in Africa through doctoral training and partnerships, Rsif works closely with its African Host Universities (AHUs) to advance this transformative agenda.

Mozambique is making progress in aligning higher education outcomes with the needs of the labor market and industry through participation in PASET Rsif , with the support of the MozSkills Project (Enhancement for Skills Development), financed by the World Bank. PASET Rsif has awarded 302 doctoral scholarships to date, including 40 funded by the Government of Mozambique (32 for nationals), in addition to 64 research and innovation scholarships, 14 of which were allocated to Mozambican researchers.

Recognizing the crucial role of higher education, research and innovation in the country’s socio-economic transformation, Rsif / icipe , in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Culture of Mozambique, will host the 2nd Annual Implementers’ Forum for project partners supported by Rsif and MozSkills .

2. Objectives

The specific objectives of the forum are:

a. Discuss strategic policy options that strengthen higher education and skills development.

b. Reflect on Mozambique’s investment in higher education, research, and innovation through the Improvement for Skills Development (MozSkills) and Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) programs in Mozambique, and how they arecontributing to the development of the country’s scientific and innovation capacity.

c. Discuss ways to improve the quality and impact of doctoral training and post-doctoral support on Mozambique’s development agenda.

3. Expected results

This forum is expected to:

a. Strengthen stakeholders’ understanding of strategic approaches to higher education and skills development in Mozambique.

b. Promote alignment between higher education policies and national development plans to foster a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy in Mozambique.

c. Present the contribution of initiatives funded by the Government of Mozambique under the MozSkills project as sustainable, government-led models for building scientific and innovation capacity.

4. Participants

The forum will bring together approximately 100 participants from higher education institutions, research organizations, industry, development partners, regional experts, and representatives from the World Bank and PASET. Rsif . This diversity of participants will foster dialogue on how to strengthen the country’s innovation capacity and skills for development.

5. Provisional program

See program in English or Portuguese.