The Pan-African Psychology Union (PAPU) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening psychology education across the continent by bridging the gap between policy formulation and practical application in the field.
Prof. Andrew Zamani, President of PAPU, stated this at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja ahead of the Union’s forthcoming 2025 Higher Education Conference.
Zamani said the conference aims to foster collaboration among scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to enhance the relevance and impact of psychology in addressing Africa’s socio-developmental challenges.
“The main goal is to bridge the knowledge and skills gap between universities and industry,” he said. “We also seek to harmonize curricula that establish a basic minimum academic standard, enabling psychologists to respond effectively to the continent’s current developmental challenges and enhance leadership capacities that positively impact quality of life.”
According to him, about 300 delegates from across Africa and the diaspora are expected to attend the conference, scheduled to take place from Nov. 4 to Nov. 8.
“By uniting educators, practitioners, and policymakers, we aim to create a seamless integration of theory and practice in psychology education,” Zamani added. “Our collective efforts will not only enhance the quality of education but also prepare future psychologists to meet the evolving needs of our societies.”
Key areas to be explored during the conference include academic mentoring; innovation; patents and copyright issues in research, publication, and psychotechnology. Other topics will cover artificial intelligence, machine-enhanced learning and applications, and the regulation of psychology education in Africa.
