AUST President Launches 2026 CPD Short Courses Brochure
The President of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu,FAS has reaffirmed the university’s commitment to innovation-driven education, practical research, and global partnerships.
Prof. Onwualu made this assertion while unveiling the university's 2026 CPD short courses brochure.
He reflected on AUST’s formative years, noting that the university was established with a continental vision—serving Africa beyond national boundaries.
Onwualu recalled that AUST began as a postgraduate-focused institution and has since produced graduates with exceptional outcomes, including near-total employability, with many alumni excelling in professional and academic roles across Africa and internationally.
He explained that the university deliberately evolved from a purely post graduate academic institution to one with stronger grassroots and societal impact. This transition led to the establishment of AUST Inspire, the university-based Innovation Park designed to translate research outputs from laboratories into market-ready products and practical solutions. Prof. Onwualu acknowledged the support of development partners such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank, whose interventions have strengthened applied sciences, engineering, and innovation at AUST.
The AUST President reaffirmed the university’s focus on emerging and “enabling” technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), nanotechnology, and digital systems. He noted that AI research now cuts across critical sectors such as health, water resources, transportation, and environmental management, citing examples of AUST researchers whose work has attracted international fellowships and global collaboration opportunities. He announced the creation of a specialized Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, aimed at building advanced skills, developing AI-driven projects, and addressing real-life societal challenges.
Highlighting the importance of partnerships, the President stressed that AUST continues to collaborate with professional bodies, institutes, NGOs, and private-sector organizations to deliver CPD programs that blend academic rigor with industry experience. These partnerships, he said, ensure that training remains practical, relevant, and responsive to workforce and national development needs.
The event also reviewed strategies to promote the university’s short courses, CPD offerings, and postgraduate programs while expanding recruitment beyond Nigeria. Discussions focused on key messaging around affordability, value, and AUST’s diverse international faculty and student population, with target markets identified in regions such as Zanzibar and Japan. Participants were encouraged to serve as grassroots ambassadors by distributing flyers and promoting programs within their networks, while acknowledging the need to strengthen digital outreach and paid marketing.
The CPD Coordinator, Dr. Prisca Onuoha, presented a detailed overview of the 2026 CPD program using a visual chart, outlining courses, timelines, and delivery strategies for the year. Partners and collaborators offered feedback and recommendations, including the need for more professional marketing capacity, renewed engagement with government and institutional partners—particularly in the health sector—and the adoption of a Learning Management System (LMS) to host course content and expand access.