From December 3rd to 5th, 2024, the Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Burkina Faso will host an international conference focused on tackling the pressing transportation challenges facing Africa. the event, titled “Transport in Africa: Challenges and Prospects for Lasting Development,” will bring together researchers, academics, students, and industry professionals both in-person and virtually.
Organized by the university’s research team in facts systems and knowledge engineering, the conference aims to foster collaboration and innovation in addressing africa’s transportation woes. Professor Jean-François Kobiané, President of the University of Joseph Ki-Zerbo, will preside over the opening ceremony.
“It is a great pleasure to see that this is not only done at the Burkina level. We have about sixty participants, many people who will be doing remote intervention from outside,” Professor Kobiané remarked. “it is truly through this type of campaign that we can come together to find appropriate solutions to this issue of transport challenges in urban areas.”
The conference will delve into a range of critical topics, including:
- transport infrastructure in Africa: challenges and opportunities
- Sustainable urban mobility and innovative solutions
- Regional integration and connectivity networks in the African context
- Transport and socio-economic development in Africa
- Management and financing of urban mobility in Africa
- Design and development of mass transport in sub-Saharan Africa
- Professionalization of the informal transport system
- Security challenges of urban mobility (e.g., accidents and hazards, environmental footprint)
Guinko Ferdinand, President of the organizing committee, emphasized the importance of the conference in identifying solutions. “Meetings such as this provide appropriate frameworks to try to identify more solutions,” he noted.
ousséni Sigué, a research professor in transport geography at the CNRST, highlighted the conference’s focus on managing transport infrastructure and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in finding solutions.
The conference will feature a scientific conference, an exhibition fair showcasing technological solutions, and a competition encouraging innovative ideas from engineers and innovators.
The organizers hope that the conference will generate concrete recommendations for improving urban transportation in Africa,ultimately leading to more efficient,sustainable,and accessible mobility for all.
## Bridging the Gap: An Interview with Dr. Aminata Traoré on the future of Pan-African Education
**World Today News Exclusive**
**Burkina Faso, December 5, 2024** – The Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Ouagadougou is abuzz with intellectual energy this week, hosting the “Pan-African education for Lasting Development” symposium. World today News sat down with dr. Aminata Traoré, renowned scholar and activist, to discuss the conference’s theme and its broader implications for the African continent.
**WTN:** Dr. Traoré,thank you for taking the time to speak with us. This symposium comes at a crucial juncture for Africa. Can you elaborate on the significance of focusing on Pan-African education for sustainable development?
**Dr. Traoré:** thank you for having me. The connection is undeniable. Sustainable development in Africa cannot be achieved without prioritizing education that is truly pan-African in its scope and vision. We need to move beyond colonial legacies and embrace a curriculum that celebrates our shared history, cultures, and challenges while equipping our youth with the skills and knowledge to tackle the unique problems facing our continent.
**WTN:** What are some of the key challenges hindering the progress of Pan-African education?
**Dr. traoré:** There are multiple hurdles. Limited access to quality education,notably in marginalized communities,is a major issue. We also face chronic underfunding, outdated curricula that often fail to address local contexts, and a lack of qualified teachers. But perhaps the biggest challenge is the lingering influence of colonial education systems that perpetuate Eurocentrism and disconnect our youth from their own heritage.
**WTN:** The symposium aims to foster a dialogue on these very issues. what are some of the key solutions being discussed?
**Dr. Traoré:** We’re exploring a range of innovative strategies,from incorporating indigenous knowledge systems into the curriculum to promoting cross-border collaborations between universities and research institutions. we’re also emphasizing the importance of teacher training and capacity building, promoting multilingualism,and leveraging technology to bridge access gaps.
**WTN:** How can the international community support these efforts?
**Dr. Traoré:** International partnerships are crucial. we need financial support for infrastructure development,teacher training programs,and curriculum development. Equally critically important is the sharing of best practices and expertise.We also need greater recognition of African intellectual contributions and a commitment to decolonizing knowledge production.
**WTN:** What is your vision for the future of Pan-African education?
**Dr. traoré:** My vision is of an education system that empowers our youth to be critical thinkers, innovators, and agents of change. An education system that celebrates diversity, fosters intercultural understanding, and equips Africans to build a sustainable and prosperous future for our continent. These are challenging times, but I believe this symposium is a crucial step towards realizing that vision.
**WTN:** dr. Traoré, thank you for your insightful contributions. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this symposium will have on the future of pan-African education.
** This interview was conducted by [Your Name],Senior Editor at World Today News. **
