What is the Ubuntu program?
The AABS Ubuntu program (AUP) is an initiative that aims to increase AABS efforts in promoting quality business education in Africa. It encourages cross-cultural experiential learning opportunities for students and professors.
AUP works to provide students, staff and professors with the opportunity to experience an academic, professional and cultural immersion in a sister African Business school or university . It will give participants the opportunity to study, teach or conduct research for set periods of time at an AABS sister Business school.
Participants would benefit from exposure to a culturally diverse faculty structure, with an opportunity to exchange ideas and share best practices.
The ultimate goal is to celebrate our continent diversity in all fields and engage our network in a pan-african initiative that aims to bring together our forces as actors of the educational ecosystem in Africa.
Ubuntu presents a unique opportunity for a continental mobility program that will pool our network forces, create a stronger engagement within the AABS family and open doors for new ways of intracontinental collaboration.
In order to be accessible to everyone, the program involves the following communities:
- Student
This program will enable mobility opportunities for students. It can range from multiple weeks to year-long exchanges or even a full college program.
- Academic
The purpose of this program is to match faculty members from AABS member institutions who will collaborate. Each professor will be expected to travel to the partner institution for a set period during which the professor will teach a class, meet with other faculty members in order to discuss future potential projects, research leads, give an open lecture to the community, etc.
- Non academic
This program aims to provide greater professional and personal development for AABS colleagues performing administrative functions. Staff will benefit from spending time at another AABS members Business schools where there is significant opportunity to share with and to learn from counterparts.
The program will expose students to international faculty members, promote international curricula, promote joint teaching programs, integrate intercultural activities with students from Business schools in different countries, open doors to possibilities for future collaborations.
Who can join?
Students, professors and staff from our network can join the ubuntu program.
Benefits
- International learning and knowledge and understanding of an array of different cultural and community perspectives.
- Awareness and adoption of alternative, multi-faceted approaches to learning.
- Analytical and problem solving skills.
- Enhanced interest in African issues as well as a broader general knowledge.
- Self-development
- Maturity due to the confrontation with challenges outside a familiar support network and comfort zone.
Eligibility
To participate in AUP, Business schools must fulfil the criteria below:
- Be a member of the AABS network
- Appoint an Ubuntu coordinator
- Sign the Memorandum of Understanding along with the sister institution
- All academic related questions such as transfer of credits or visiting professors compensation is to be negotiated directly between the schools involved.