AUST and RSIF Hold Workshop on Preventing Sexual Harassment and Strengthening Grievance Redress Mechanisms

African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in collaboration with The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) Abuja, on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, held a refresher workshop aimed at building awareness and strengthening institutional mechanisms for addressing sexual harassment within higher education spaces.

The half-day workshop, themed “Strengthening a Culture of Safety and Accountability in Higher Education Institutions,” brought together RSIF/AUST scholars, faculty members, administrative staff and stakeholders to deepen understanding of sexual harassment, reporting procedures, survivor support, and grievance redress systems.

Delivering the opening remarks, the President of AUST, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, welcomed participants and emphasized the need for continuous awareness and capacity building to address misconduct within learning environments. He noted that issues of harassment often arise from human interactions and called for clarity, boundary setting and institutional courage, adding that harassment can occur at all levels and must be addressed decisively.

Prof. Onwualu highlighted the importance of speaking out, stressing that when one person reports a case, others are encouraged to do the same. He urged the university community not to suffer in silence, but to utilize available reporting channels, ensuring that policies are not only documented but also actively implemented.

Sessions included presentations on understanding sexual harassment, practical grievance redress mechanisms, confidentiality and referral pathways led by AUST safeguarding trainers and subject experts including Mrs. Favour Nwogu and Dr. Dickson Udebhulu.

A panel discussion featuring students, faculty, student services, security and the gender desk provided diverse institutional perspectives and recommendations, moderated by Mr. Bonface Nyagah of RSIF.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Onwualu urged participants to apply the knowledge gained and contribute to building a safer and respectful academic environment for all members of the community, while appreciating the RSIF delegation from Kenya for their continued collaboration.

The workshop is part of RSIF’s commitment to enhancing safeguarding practices across partner institutions, improving reporting procedures, strengthening survivor support, and promoting inclusive, accountable and harassment-free higher education spaces across Africa.