The representatives of the Salesian University Institutes of Lomé (Togo), Maputo (Mozambique) and Luanda (Angola) took part in the event, serving an average of 1,500 students each, to whom not only a professional future is offered, but also quality of life.

The event opened with the welcome of Fr Víctor Sequeira, Provincial of Angola, followed by the words of Sister Amelia Gonçalves, Director of the Luanda Institute. Fr Marcelo Farfán, Coordinator General of the IUS, offered his message that enriched the meeting with a general overview; Dr Alberto Kapitango held the inaugural conference on the theme: "The challenges of Higher Education in Africa."

Immediately after this presentation, the representatives of the various Institutes illustrated the current state of each university, giving an account of progress, difficulties and challenges. The meeting, in particular, focused on the re-elaboration of the common program for African institutions, which highlighted several priorities. The reflection on the option for the most disadvantaged, the need for formative itineraries for personnel, the elaboration of the University Pastoral Project and the promotion of academic micro-networks were the concrete requests that emerged.

During the three-day meeting, the Coordinator of the IUS in Africa was also elected, namely Fr Dieudonné Otekpo, Director of the Don Bosco Institute of Lomé; finally, it was proposed to hold the next meeting in Maputo from 24 to 26 October 2022.

"It is essential to invest in higher education, increase research spending, develop strong academic ties with the African diaspora and improve the planning and implementation of higher education programs at institutional, national and continental level," were the conclusions affirmed by the Summit on Higher Education held previously in Dakar, Senegal, in February 2019.

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