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Higher education institutions (HEIs) have three main missions: to educate, conduct research, and engage with societal partners. The traditional core functions are education and research, with societal engagement as the third mission. The duty of HEI staff, including academics, is to support these missions.

Academics are the primary point of contact within HEIs, connecting with students, communities, civic organizations, welfare services, governmental bodies, and businesses. However, foreign-born and immigrant scholars often face challenges when engaging with these external groups, especially in host countries that differ culturally from their countries of origin.

In light of these challenges, Dr. Christopher Boafo from our SEPT Competence Center led a panel discussion at the 2024 ANSA Conference, focusing on the experiences of African immigrant academics in German HEIs and discussing the benefits and challenges of their African heritage.

The 2024 Africa Network for Students and Alumni (ANSA) Conference occurred in Frankfurt (Main), Germany, from September 27th to 29th, 2024. The conference theme was "Philosophical Perspectives in Everyday Life: African and European Views!"

More information about ANSA

Here you can learn more about the research activities of the SEPT Competence Center