Advancing African-Centred Health Professions Education

Country
Ethiopia
Pillar
Health Ecosystems

Addis Ababa University convenes scholars, policymakers, and global partners to strengthen African-led research, collaboration, and innovation in health professions education.

The African Health Collaborative at the Addis Ababa University (AHC–AAU), through its African Hub for Innovation and Critical Scholarship in Health Professions Education (Hub) hosted its 2026 Annual Conference. The two-day event, held at the Haile Grand Hotel, brought together more than 80 academics, policymakers, scholars, and international partners. Participants examined the internationalization of higher education and the role of indigenous knowledge while working toward an African-led research agenda to strengthen scholarship across the continent.

Dr. Dawit Wondimagegn, the Principal Investigator for the AHC at AAU, opened the conference by celebrating the Hub’s vision. He emphasized its role in supporting scholars as they advance African-centred research and build robust networks necessary to address priorities in health professions education.

Dr. Dawit Wondimagegn, Principal Investigator for the African Health Collaborative at the Addis Ababa University

Through keynote addresses, research presentations, and panel discussions, speakers and scholars explored how medical education accreditation has developed in Ethiopia. They discussed how Western models have influenced health professions education in Africa, the importance of teaching responsible research practices in training institutions, the balance between global standards and national accountability, and how indigenous knowledge can help shape the future of higher education.

A central theme was the aspiration to move toward a “glocal” approach—one where African Higher Education Institutions lead by bridging international standards with local realities and priorities.

To turn these aspirations into action, seven breakout groups collaborated on research frameworks focusing on: 

  1. The Internationalization of Higher Education within the African Context. 
  2. The Vital Role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Health Education. 

Participants turned their ideas into a shared research plan. They formed groups to refine them into a final scientific product and a shared roadmap for collaboration among AHC partner institutions.   

The 2026 Annual Conference was an important step forward for the Hub. It reaffirmed AHC’s commitment to supporting scholars who can interrogate global trends, research that remains relevant to local contexts, and help shape research agendas centred on Africa.

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