African Students Day 2024

Speakers

Stakeholder

Participants

Connect, learn, and act

We believe young people from the African diaspora in Europe and particularly in Germany are the bridge to enable equitable and authentic partnerships between Europe and Africa. By engaging with their home continent, they will create sustainable and significant impact back home. The African Students Day is about giving the African diaspora youth visibility and creating the necessary network to empower and encourage them to engage with Africa.

The very first African Students Day took place in May 2024

at RWTH Aachen University. We brought together more than 120 members of the African diaspora, including students, trainees, and young professionals from Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Following an energizing welcome address by our moderator Liz Shoo, an inspiring keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Gael Pentang set the tone for the event and provided all participants with the necessary mindset to actively engage in the subsequent discussions as the program unfolded. In addition, the German public broadcaster WDR covered the event and produced a TV report. You can watch it here: Our African Students Day 2024 on German television.

Saturday, May 4, 2024

from 10 am to 6 pm

RWTH Aachen University

Templergraben 55, 52062 Aachen

With moderator Liz Shoo

An accomplished journalist, moderator and TV presenter with more than a decade of experience. After working at the Deutsche Welle for over 12 years, she currently works as a journalist and presenter at the German public broadcasting institution WDR

Curious about what awaits you?

Our Panels are packed with exciting topics and real highlights. The Speakers? Engaged, inspiring, and ready to share their experiences with you.

Program

An inspiring keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Gael Pentang, lecturing Prof. at Niederrhein Hochschule & Co-Founder of The SEEDS Leadership Entrepreneurship Program. Authentic African dishes, lovingly prepared and creatively presented—a culinary journey rich in diversity and culture. During the networking session, like-minded individuals with a shared vision came together, enabling meaningful exchange and the formation of new connections.

Keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Gael Pentang

Lecturing Prof. at Niederrhein Hochschule & Co-Founder of The SEEDS Leadership Entrepreneurship Program

African cuisine

The taste of Africa—lovingly prepared and creatively presented.

Networking

Inspiring and connecting—this is where like-minded people with a shared vision came together.

Program Details

Registration at 9:45 am
Official start with a welcome and opening remarks, 10:00–10:05, by Contimi Kenfack and Johanna Oladeji from 3 E’s 4 Africa
Opening moderation, 10:05–10:15, by Liz Shoo from Deutsche Welle and WDR
Keynote address, 10:20–10:50, by Prof. Dr. Gael Pentang (teaching professor at Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences and co-founder of the SEEDS Leadership Entrepreneurship Program)
Panel discussion I: Mobility of African students and the education system in Africa, 10:50–12:20
Short break and networking, 12:20–12:50
Panel discussion II: The role of African students as part of the diaspora in shaping impact on their home continent, 12:50–13:50
Closing remarks, 13:50–13:55, by Johanna Oladeji from 3 E’s 4 Africa
African finger-food buffet and networking, 13:55–15:00

Speakers and panel discussions

Panel Discussion I: African Students Mobility & The Education System in Africa

With Africa being the continent with the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, this panel discussion was centered around the migration of African students around the world. Issues such as the general increase in the number of sub-Saharan African students leaving their home countries to study in other countries as well as the low inter-regional student mobility rate in sub-Saharan Africa were discussed. The panel also touched on positive examples such as Seychelles which has the best educational System according to the world ranking and on how other African countries could learn from it.

Podium I Speaker

Prof. Dr. Gael Pentang

Professor of Cybersecurity at Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, co-founder of the SEEDS Leadership Entrepreneurship Program

Dr. Boniface Mabanza

Philosopher, Literary Academic and Theologian, Coordinator at Kirchlichen Arbeitsstelle Südliches Afrika

Dr. Rahab Njeri

Historian, academic activist, and anti-racism consultant at the University of Cologne

Virginie Kamche

Founder of Afrika Netzwerk Bremen e.V., 2019 Bremen Diversity Award Winner & 2023 Woman of the Year in Bremen

Podium II Speaker

Julie Ngoya Tshidibu

Public Speaker, Founder & Podcast Host Afrikanah

Naomi Akua Duelli

President of the Africa Association at the University of St. Gallen

Contimi Kenfack

Founder and Chair of 3 E’s 4 Africa e.V., Student of the Year 2024, Germany

Leah Watetu Mbugua

Board Member of the TU Delft African Students Association

Panel Discussion II: The role of African Students as part of the Diaspora in creating impact on their Home Continent

The African Union has made it clear that it has a strong intent to involve and engage the diaspora in the continent’s development agenda. In this panel discussion we have invited young students throughout Europe with leadership positions at organizations who actively contribute in creating impact for Africans and for the diaspora. These young leaders have purposefully created the time to act and contribute within the African Diaspora community. With this panel, we wanted to provide them a platform to inspire and motivate other participants to do the same but also to simply share their experiences.

How the ASD supports the SDGs

Ready to connect, learn, and act?

Whether you are a student, intern, or young professional of African descent in Europe, this day is for you. Don’t miss the conversations, connections, and sense of community.