The African Leadership University (ALU) marked a decade (ALU at 10) of leadership and impact with a vibrant Decennial Celebration hosted at its Mauritius campus, the African Leadership College of Higher Education (ALCHE). The three-day commemoration, themed “Breaking Ordinary Learning Dimensions (B.O.L.D)”, convened hundreds of visionary educators, entrepreneurs, policy leaders, partners, students, and alumni, united by one mission: to reimagine learning and work for Africa’s next transformative decade.
The B.O.L.D Summit: Breaking Ordinary Learning Dimensions
The B.O.L.D Summit set the tone for the celebration — a forward-looking gathering blending insight, dialogue, and collaboration. Over three dynamic days, participants explored what it means to build an education system and workforce ready for the realities of a rapidly changing world.
Day One opened with an evocative keynote by ALU’s CEO, Veda Sunassee, titled “The World is Off-Syllabus.” His message challenged educators and leaders alike: “If the world is off-syllabus, what kind of learning will get us through?”
The day unfolded into a powerful series of plenaries, beginning with “Future Unscripted: Rethinking How We Learn and Work” — a discussion that examined how Africa can define new paradigms of learning beyond the traditional classroom. This was followed by “AI and the Next Frontier of Learning,” a session that unpacked both the promise and the ethical complexities of integrating artificial intelligence into African education systems.
The solution-focused sessions that followed showcased Experiential Learning in Action, demonstrating how ALU’s learner-centered approach has shaped adaptable, resilient graduates ready for real-world problem-solving.
Zooming In: The Future, Up Close
Day Two built on this momentum, zooming in on the future of work and the workforce readiness gap — drawing from ALU’s Workforce Readiness Survey Report, an in-depth study examining the expectations of graduates and employers across Africa.
Panelists debated critical insights such as:
- Employer confidence: SMEs and large African enterprises rate graduates highly on readiness (50–55%), while multinationals lag at 39%, underscoring the need to bridge alignment in assessment and training.
- Skills over job titles: The shift toward skills-based roles is redefining how institutions prepare learners for lifelong adaptability.
- Purpose-driven careers: Nearly two-thirds of students surveyed aspire to purpose-led work, with the majority intending to build their careers on the continent.
Complementing these plenaries were breakout sessions tackling emergent issues like cross-border credentials, AI ethics and inclusion, and Africa’s role in the green economy — emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable, equitable, and future-proof learning models.
Honouring a Decade, Inspiring the Next
The Summit culminated in the “Voices of ALU” plenary, a reflective and inspiring session led by Fred Swaniker, Founder and Chairman of the African Leadership Group. He reminded attendees that the journey of the past decade was not merely institutional — it was a movement built on the conviction that Africa’s young leaders hold the keys to the continent’s transformation.
A Night of Celebration: The Decennial Gala Dinner
The celebrations reached their pinnacle at the Gala Dinner, held at the historic Ruins of Balaclava, Mauritius — a breathtaking evening that united ALU’s community of changemakers, partners, and alumni in honour of ten years of achievement and impact.
The distinguished gathering was graced by notable guests including His Excellency Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool, G.C.S.K., President of the Republic of Mauritius; Fred Swaniker, Founder of the African Leadership Group; and Veda Sunassee, CEO of ALU, among other esteemed leaders, donors, and collaborators.
In his keynote address, Fred Swaniker underscored the vision that continues to drive ALU’s mission:
“What the African Leadership Group is creating here in Mauritius is a movement shaping the next generation of innovators, builders, and ethical leaders who will redefine Africa’s place in the world. With our ALCHE campus, we will continue to anchor ourselves in Mauritius’ ambition to become a Knowledge Hub, connecting education, innovation, and leadership across the continent. As we teach our students to ‘Do Hard Things,’ my vision is that by 2030, the island will be recognised as the entrepreneurial heart of Africa’s next transformation — and that our graduates will be among the leaders driving it.”
ALU at 10 – Charting Africa’s Next Decade
Throughout the Summit, one theme resonated powerfully: Africa’s future is being written by its young people — those daring enough to learn differently, lead ethically, and build fearlessly. From AI inclusion and green transition strategies to redefined skills pathways and cross-border collaboration, ALU’s B.O.L.D Summit showcased a living blueprint for how learning can drive the continent’s next great leap.
As ALU steps into its second decade, it does so with renewed commitment — to nurture leaders who will not just adapt to the future, but actively shape it.
#BOLDat10 #ALUDecennial #DoHardThings
