The Association of African Universities (AAU) was established in 1967 with the mandate ofadvocating for the educational and related needs of African higher education institutions and, asfar as practicable, coordinating the means by which these needs may be met. To this end, the
Association plays a critical role in networking universities and building capacity to help Africanuniversities across all regional and linguistic divides to carry out their functions. At its 47th Regular Meeting held in April 2012, the Executive Board approved a grant of US$3.5 million for to the Association of African Universities for Capacity Development Project for the Revitalization of African Higher Education Institutions (AAU-CADRE Phase II).
The main goal of the Association of African Universities Capacity Development Project for the Revitalization of African Higher Education Institutions is to improve the performance of African tertiary education institutions by strengthening the human, institutional and environmental capacity of the institutions and that of the AAU Secretariat in areas of leadership, management and use of ICT.