With 53% of the student population being international students from various regions in the world, KDI School established Student Forums to foster a liberal research environment, better student interactions, build more networks, and to maximize the human resources of KDI School. It is against this background that the African Development Forum was established. It is a student-driven forum with Professor Kim Booyuel as the Advisor and receives support from KDI School every semester.

The first African Innovation and Partnership in Development Conference was an unprecedented event held on July 22, 2016 by KDI School’s African Forum. With the African continent widely known for poverty or simply as the home of the “bottom billion” this conference was particularly important as it showcased a side of Africa that is not known or even spoken in the same line with the continent, “innovation.” The conference attracted not only students from KDI School, but other Africans and non-Africans studying in other institutions in Korea.

With an audience of over 100 people, the tone of the conference begun with poetry, musical performances from some of KDI School’s African talent and invariably peppered with speeches by South Africa’s Ambassador, Gloria Nozuko Bam; Kenya’s Charge D’affairs Deputy Ambassador, Chege Gathoga; Zambia’s Minister Counselor Deputy Ambassador, Faith Mbula; Korea-Africa Center’s Deputy Director, Dr Jungmin Kim; and Dr. Young Oh Park of Korea Institute of International Economic Policy. The conference included a panel discussion, a question and answer session, and a luncheon. The conference wound up with an attendance award session.-

Minister Counselor Deputy Ambassador, Faith Mbula opened the conference with a video showing innovation in Zambia, where she emphasized the need to support and encourage innovations especially among the youth in Africa as a means to steer holistic development on the African continent. She concluded her opening remarks by noting that, “Innovation holds far-reaching promises for spurring economic growth in countries at all stages of development.

Ambassador Gloria Nozuko Bam started off her speech by drawing attention to some of Africa’s innovations and innovators. She spoke of the widely known 2011 Global Student Award Winner Ludwick Marishane, a young South African entrepreneur who developed a product called DryBath, a germicidal and moisturizing gel that allows people who have limited access to water to maintain their standards of hygiene without using the traditional soap and water.

The presentation by Deputy Ambassador Chege Gathoga from Kenya focused on one of Africa’s biggest success stories in recent history “M-PESA.” Launched by Kenyan Mobile Network Safari, this mobile phone-based transfer service allows users to deposit, withdraw, transfer money, pay for goods and services using their mobile services.

Focusing his presentation on partnership in development, Dr. Jungmin Kim, Deputy Director of the Korea-Africa Center, centered his talk on real life experiences in Africa in which Korea and Africa partner for example in the area of academic and policy research, business promotion.

Dr. Kim Booyuel, African Development Forum Advisor and KDI School professor made the closing remarks by thanking and showing his appreciation to the participants and Guest Speaker of the conference. He encouraged students to utilize these presentations to add value to their knowledge on the robust innovations that are quickly becoming Africa''s mainstay.

In an amazing and unexpected move, Professor Kim Booyuel reported that the Korean government''s Ministry of Industry & Trade had proposed making the African Innovation & Partnership In development Conference at KDI School an annual event! In another spectacular media move, the conference was aired on the 7:08pm news by Chance Dorland on TBS eFM Radio 101.3.

The Globe had an exclusive interview with one of the main organizers of this conference, Lovia AFOAKWA [2015 MPP, Ghana]

Micheal: Please introduce yourself to our readers;

Lovia: I am Lovia Afoakwa from Ghana and I am currently the Acting President for the African Forum sitting in for Christine Kathurima who’s on maternity leave.

M: What is the major reason that inspired you to hold this spectacular and memorable The African Innovation and Partnership in Development Conference?

L: As part of our semester scheduled programs, we have always wanted to have something that would be different and remarkable. So as the Executive Team, we deliberated on the best theme to talk about from the different ideas we had. Hence after, we narrowed down to innovations in Africa because it’s one area that has not been given significant attention.

M: Did the African Forum receive support from KDI School in organizing this conference?

L: Yes! Of course! The school played a big role in helping us secure the Auditorium to hold the conference and this was a big deal to us! KDI School also proved financial and technical support and without them, we would not have done much to make this event a success!

M: Any final words and any other major event coming up that you wish our leaders to know about?

L: On behalf of the African Forum, I once again wish to thank KDI School for their continued support to the forum and its activities. I wish to also thank all students for being part of the Forum and participating in its various activities! With regards to upcoming events, we are expecting to have the Director General of the National Development Planning Commission, Ghana to give a presentation about Ghana’s Vision 2020.

By Micheal MUGISHA [2015 MDP, Uganda]