Marrakesh conference raises us$ 21 million for African Virtual University

The International conference convened here on April 28-29 to raise funds for the African Virtual University (AVU) collected US$ 21 million out of the US$ 76 million necessary for the implementation of AVU's action program, said here on Tuesday the University's Chancellor Sheik Modibo Diarra.

Diarra, who disclosed the figure at a joint press conference with Morocco's Higher Education minister Khakid Alioua, and AVU's Board of Trustees' Chairwoman and World Bank representative Mamphela Ramphele, said that AVU has adopted a medium term ambitious strategy that requires US$ 6 to 7 million to equip training centres and reinforce curricula related to computer, mechanic and electric engineering and implement public health programs.

While voicing optimism as to AVU's ability to collect other financial resources, Diarra also announced that the Canadian International Development Agency (ACDI) has recently promised to contribute US $ 12 million and that similar moves will be undertaken during G8 summit, scheduled next June in Evian, France.