The Vice Chancellor of Hensard University, Toru Orua, Bayelsa State, Professor Sudhakar Kota, has been selected as a Guest Presenter at a high-level webinar organised by the Association of African Private Universities (AAPU) in commemoration of World Education Day.
The virtual event, scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. West African Time, is themed “Driving Educational Innovation and Employability through African Private Universities.”
It is expected to bring together leading academics, education policymakers, institutional managers, and other key stakeholders from across the continent.
According to the organisers, the webinar is designed to examine the growing importance of African private universities in delivering quality education, fostering innovation, and producing graduates equipped with relevant skills for today’s competitive labour market.
Discussions would also focus on how private higher education institutions can adapt to global educational trends while addressing local and regional workforce demands.
In a formal invitation extended to Professor Kota, the Secretary General of AAPU, Professor Abubakar Haruna, praised the Vice Chancellor’s contributions to higher education development.
He noted that Professor Kota’s experience and leadership would add significant value to conversations on institutional growth, innovation, and employability outcomes.
The invitation described his insights as widely respected within academic circles across Africa.
The webinar comes at a time when African economies are undergoing transformation, increasing the need for universities to align curricula with industry needs and emerging sectors.
Participants are expected to deliberate on challenges facing private universities, share best practices, and propose forward-looking strategies for sustainable educational development.
Professor Kota, known for his strong background in educational leadership and university administration, is expected to play a central role in shaping the dialogue.
His participation is anticipated to inspire educators and decision-makers, while contributing to the development of innovative models that strengthen higher education on the continent.
AAPU disclosed that the session would be held entirely online, with additional information on presentation formats and technical arrangements to be communicated to participants ahead of the event.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to promoting collaboration, research exchange, and policy dialogue among African private universities, as part of efforts to ensure they remain key drivers of educational excellence and human capital development.
As World Education Day draws near, expectations are high that the webinar will offer practical insights and policy-relevant recommendations aimed at empowering Africa’s next generation through transformative education.
