The regional initiative of the African Center of Excellence (ACE) project was launched in 2013 to support change and improvement in human capital development. Successfully introduced in West, East and Central African countries with an investment of US$150 million approved by IDA (International Development Association) in April 2014, the ACE project is represented today in nine (09) countries including Côte d'Ivoire.
The main objective of the CEA Project is to respond to labor market demand for skills in specific fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), but also Agriculture and Health) where these are limited, affecting development, economic growth and poverty reduction. Skills needs and shortages are measured by the graduate unemployment rate.
In addition, the ACE project is designed to invest in successful universities that want this type of intervention, with the ultimate goal of building a foundation for Africa to increase the absorption of knowledge and technology, and to promote knowledge-based competitive advantages.
The addition of Côte d'Ivoire to the project responds to the request made by the Government of Côte d'Ivoire, and is based on the potential of the chosen institutions to become regional centers bringing their education and research closer to the development needs of the region.
Support for African Centers of Excellence in Côte d'Ivoire makes it possible to:
THE AFRICAN CENTER OF EXCELLENCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE, BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUR (CEA-CCBAD)
Launched in January 2016, the CEA-CCBAD focuses on the training of graduates on issues related to ecosystems, biodiversity, food production, water and productive and sustainable forestry in the context of climate change affecting the region. This includes the training of graduates and the production of knowledge related to: the protection of water resources, the fight against soil erosion, the protection and best use of biodiversity, the adoption of crop resistance projects , the protection of agricultural forest production through, for example, pollinators and other beneficial insects.
The Center trains graduates on interdisciplinary subjects so that they are able to work with all the players in the sector.
MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE CENTER
The Center of Excellence on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture aims for excellence in training, research and governance through initial training and capacity building for administrative and technical staff as well as teachers- researchers.
It is mainly aimed at the training of postgraduate students. It has a focus on biodiversity and is part of a pre-existing regional network of ten (10) institutions focused on climate change through the WASCAL program.
