Fariba Soetan
Head of Policy and Research at the Association of Commonwealth Universities
Over three days in November, more than 70 university leaders, policymakers, funders, students and ambassadors from 20 Commonwealth countries gathered at the University of Nairobi for ACU Congress 2025 - a vibrant and timely conference focused on how universities can strengthen resilience, drive innovation and contribute to renewal across the Commonwealth.
Under the theme ‘Connected and resilient: Commonwealth higher education for a changing world, the event offered an honest, open space for leaders to explore shared challenges, from AI disruption to financial pressures, climate impacts to shifting labour markets, and to chart a path forward together.
As one delegate, Mark Hertlein, Head of Global Engagement, City St George’s University, UK, reflected:
'This was genuinely one of the best conferences I’ve attended. I left with a clearer understanding of our shared challenges, and a sense of how partnerships between higher education institutions, and the communities they serve, can help us respond.'
Day one: a cultural welcome to Congress at our evening reception
Congress began with an official opening reception at the Nairobi National Museum, offering delegates an introduction to Kenya’s rich cultural heritage. Guests explored the museum’s fascinating galleries while reconnecting with colleagues old and new over drinks and canapés.
The evening’s highlight was a vibrant cultural showcase by the renowned Bomas Harambee Dancers, whose performance brought energy, colour and rhythm to the opening night. It was a fitting start to Congress, blending culture, conversation and community in an historic space.
Day two: global perspectives and the power of partnership
Day two marked the formal start of the Congress programme at the University of Nairobi. Delegates began the day with a series of keynote speeches setting out the major issues shaping higher education across the Commonwealth. These were centred on the question: ‘what kind of higher education systems does the Commonwealth need to thrive in an era of rapid global change?’
Speakers included:
- Dr Arjoon Suddhoo, Deputy Secretary-General, Commonwealth Secretariat
- Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Former UN Under-Secretary-General and Deputy President of South Africa
- Professor Margaret Hutchinson, Vice-Chancellor, University of Nairobi
Their collective message was clear: higher education is central to economic resilience, social stability and opportunity across the Commonwealth.
Delegates then moved into roundtable discussions on the most pressing issues shaping higher education: AI and digital transformation, sustainability, inclusive funding, future trends and global mobility. Held under the Chatham House Rule, these closed sessions allowed for frank discussions to share insights and learnings, forge new partnerships and identify areas for collective action.
The day concluded with a reception, complete with music from University of Nairobi students and an address from Ms Ivy Mwai, Skills Advisor at Mastercard Foundation. One of the evening’s highlights was the awarding of the Symons Award to the outgoing Chair of the ACU Council, , Professor Cheryl de la Rey, Vice-Chancellor, University of Canterbury for her outstanding service to universities across the Commonwealth.
Day three: skills, employability; and 'what next for Africa?'; Indigenous knowledge; research futures; and the ACU’s leadership role
Day three brought together the major themes of the Congress, examining what truly resilient higher education looks like in practice. The day kicked off with a panel on innovation systems and the challenges universities face in collaborating with industry. Ms Ethel Cofie, Founder of Women in Tech Africa, urged institutional leaders to consider business culture and reduce barriers that prevent SMEs and startups from engaging with university researchers. Early risers even joined an ACU-led walk through Nairobi’s Karura Forest, where they could see monkeys and antelope, setting an energising tone for the day.
Delegates then explored how universities can navigate uncertainty while strengthening their societal role, with discussions focusing on:
The integration of Indigenous and community knowledge into curricula, research and partnerships
Building inclusive research ecosystems and expanding equitable South-South collaboration
Universities’ leadership in responding to global disruption and advancing national resilience
After lunch, we heard from keynote speaker Professor Barney Glover AO, Commissioner for Jobs and Skills Australia, who called on universities to rethink their approach to skills, employability and industry engagement. His reflections on Australia’s national skills framework sparked debate about how Commonwealth institutions can adapt to rapidly shifting labour markets.
The Congress concluded with a powerful closing keynote address from Dr Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, Former Education Minister of Nigeria, Vice President World Bank for Africa and Founder of Human Capital Africa. She challenged universities to drive Africa’s next era of development by investing in evidence-led policy, innovation, and the vast potential of young people across the continent.
Baljit Singh, Vice President of Research, University of Saskatchewan, Canada summed up Congress:
'I thank you very much for the hard work and care you put into the planning and running of the ACU Conference! It was highly engaging and there were ample opportunities to network and discuss various topics either arising out of the panels and talks or something on my mind. I briefed USask’s President as well on the conference and we are going to stay engaged with the ACU.'
A launchpad, not a landing point
ACU Congress 2025 showcased the ACU’s exceptional convening power, bringing together diverse voices to share solutions, shape strategy and drive collective action across borders.
The conversations in Nairobi now form the basis for an agenda led by the ACU Higher Education Taskforce, which will translate Congress insights into concrete policy recommendations ahead of the Commonwealth Education Minister’s Action Group (EMAG) 2026 and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026.
Looking ahead
ACU Congress 2025 demonstrated the strength and spirit of the Commonwealth: cooperation, curiosity and commitment to action. Delegates left with new partnerships, new ideas and a renewed sense of what universities can achieve when they work together.
Prof Dr M R Kabir, Vice Chancellor, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh, commented:
'We sincerely appreciate your efforts in organising such a well-structured and impactful event. Looking ahead, we are eager to explore further opportunities for collaboration between the ACU and Daffodil International University, particularly in areas of research, academic exchange, and joint initiatives that can strengthen regional and global partnerships.'
The ACU will continue to connect, convene and champion the sector, ensuring that the energy and ideas catalysed in Nairobi shape a resilient, innovative and equitable future for higher education across the Commonwealth.
ACU Congress outcome report
Read our longer report which explores the themes, insights and conclusions drawn from the conference in more depth, as well as how we plan to turn insight into action following ACU Congress.
We also thank our ACU Congress sponsors, Scifiniti Publishing, as well as University World News, our media partners, who covered the event.
You can view photographs from ACU Congress in our Flickr album below.
