The Pan African University (PAU) is a flagship higher education initiative of the African Union, launched in 2011 to revitalize postgraduate education and research excellence across Africa. It was conceived as part of the AU’s visionary Agenda 2063 and key continental education frameworks.

PAU operates through five thematic institutes hosted at leading universities in Africa’s regions:

• PAUWES (Water & Energy Sciences, Algeria)

• PAUSTI (Basic Sciences, Technology & Innovation, Kenya)

• PAULESI (Life & Earth Sciences including Health & Agriculture, Nigeria)

• PAUGHSS (Governance, Humanities & Social Sciences, Cameroon)

• PAUSS (Space Sciences, South Africa)
  Additionally, PAU maintains a Pan-African Virtual & e‑University and an Entrepreneurship Hub to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

Since its launch, PAU has enrolled students from across the African Union, producing hundreds of graduates equipped to lead in research, innovation, and policy. The university prioritizes gender equity, diversity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability in its mission.

Why PAU matters at the Women Leaders Summit: As a continental academic network empowering African scholars—particularly female postgraduate students—in STEM, social sciences, governance, and innovation, PAU exemplifies the Summit’s mission of advancing women’s leadership in higher education.

Contact: Headquartered in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Website: pau-au.africa