College for Advancement of Academics (CAA) · Founding Ceremony & Inaugural Lecture
Reimagining the African Academic
“Reclaiming Knowledge, Advancing Excellence and Building Africa's Future”
The formal public inauguration of the College for Advancement of Academics, held on the commemoration of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. Featuring the landmark Inaugural Lecture by distinguished scholar Prof. Toyin Falola.
Date
Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Nyerere Commemoration
Time
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM WAT
11:00 GMT · 14:00 EAT
Format
Virtual Pan-African
Interactive Broadcast
Registration
Complimentary Access
Open to All Academics
Direct, barrier-free access via secure cloud form (Forma) · Zero-friction signup · Takes under 60 seconds
The African Academic as Public Intellectual
“Between the Ivory Tower and the Village Square”
To be delivered by Professor Toyin Falola, whose distinguished scholarship and longstanding contributions to African intellectual history, knowledge production, and higher education provide an especially fitting intellectual foundation for the public beginning of CAA.
Prof. Toyin Falola
Distinguished Professor, Intellectual Historian, and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters & African Academy of Sciences.
Reserve Your Spot for the Founding Ceremony
To eliminate barriers across international mobile connections, corporate firewalls, and diverse devices, registration is hosted on a secure, high-speed cloud form (Forma). Simply complete your details in under 60 seconds to receive immediate broadcast confirmation.
Registration Summary
Official Schedule
Programme of Events
Wednesday, 14 October 2026 · 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m. (WAT)
Opening and Welcome
Moment of Reflection: Honouring Mwalimu Julius Nyerere & the Founding of CAA
Welcome Address & Introduction to the College for Advancement of Academics
Presentation of CAA: Vision, Mission, and Continental Institutional Framework
Goodwill & Founding Remarks
Inaugural Lecture: The African Academic as Public Intellectual — Between the Ivory Tower and the Village Square
Continental Reflections and Responses
CAA Founders’ Day / Nyerere Day Statement, Closing & Appreciation
Continental Broadcast Times
Join Across Pan-African Time Zones
WAT (West Africa Time / UTC+1)
Cities: Lagos, Abuja, Luanda, Kinshasa, Yaoundé
GMT / UTC
Cities: Accra, Dakar, Freetown, Monrovia, London
CAT / SAST (UTC+2)
Cities: Kigali, Johannesburg, Harare, Cairo, Gaborone
EAT (East Africa Time / UTC+3)
Cities: Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Kampala
Founding Framework
Significance of the Founding Ceremony
Founding Transition
Marking CAA’s transition from conceptual and preparatory planning into active continental institutional life, establishing a lasting professional platform.
Julius Nyerere Commemoration
Convening on 14 October to honour Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s enduring legacy of education, African self-reliance, and intellectual sovereignty.
The Public Intellectual
Reflecting with Prof. Toyin Falola on the responsibilities of African scholars between the ivory tower and the pressing developmental realities of society.
Institutional Framework
Unveiling CAA’s specialised schools and centres, governance models, verified CPD pathways, and continental partnerships across 54 nations.
Message from the Founders' Team
“CAA is founded on the conviction that the strength of African higher education depends not only on institutions, infrastructure and policies, but fundamentally on the quality, confidence, integrity, professional development and collective advancement of the academic profession.”
Prof. Ahmed Adedeji, PhD, MPM, FAAPM, FAIPH, FCAA
Chair, Founders Team, College for Advancement of Academics · Chair, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Rwanda
Ceremony Logistics
Frequently Asked Questions
Is registration for the Founding Ceremony complimentary?
Yes. Participation is open and free of charge to university leaders, academics, researchers, educational regulators, and stakeholders across Africa and the global diaspora.
Why is the registration hosted externally on Forma rather than embedded?
To ensure barrier-free access across varying mobile browsers, institutional networks, and low-bandwidth connections without iframe loading or cookie friction, registration is hosted on a secure, high-speed portal. It takes under 60 seconds.
Why is the Founding Ceremony held on 14 October?
The ceremony deliberately coincides with the commemoration of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, whose life and vision symbolize African self-reliance, education, and human development. It inaugurates CAA Founders’ Day / Nyerere Day as an annual occasion.
How do registered delegates receive access to the live broadcast?
Upon submitting your registration, you will receive an immediate confirmation with an official calendar invitation (.ics). The direct interactive virtual broadcast link will be sent to your registered email 48 hours and 2 hours prior to the ceremony.
Will recordings and the Inaugural Lecture text be distributed?
Yes. All registered participants will receive full digital proceedings, including video recordings, slide presentations, and the written text of Prof. Toyin Falola’s Inaugural Lecture.
Join the Continental Assembly of African Scholars
Registration is complimentary and open to all academic professionals. Reserve your spot today to join colleagues from across the continent in inaugurating CAA.
