The Africa Institute

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The Africa Institute is an inter-disciplinary research institution for academic studies on Africa divided into humanities and social sciences established in 2018.

Contents

History

The Africa Institute
IndustryEducation
Founded2018
Headquarters
Key people
Salah M. Hassan - Dean
Website www.theafricainstitute.org

The Africa Institute was conceived by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, whose Emirate hosted the first symposium on Africa-Arab relations in December 1976. [1] It was established in 2018. [2] [3]

Description and governance

The Africa Institute is an inter-disciplinary research institution for academic studies on Africa divided into humanities and social sciences. [2]

As of December 2025, Sudanese writer Salah Hassan is dean of the Africa Institute. Moroccan political scientist Zaynab El Bernoussi is interim chair of Humanities, while Zambian economist Grieve Chelwa is chair of Social Science. [4]

Country-focused editions

To deepen understanding of the realities across Global Africa, The Africa Institute launched country-focused editions in Ethiopia, Ghana, and the Indian Ocean region. [5] Dean of the Africa Institute, Salah M. Hassan pointed out that country-focused editions beams light on these places in the continent to show their importance in global history. [6]

These editions have addressed recurring topics, what being an African is and what the future of Africa would be like. [7]

Legacy fellowships

The Africa Institute is keeping a tradition to honor the memory of celebrated literary and academic scholars from Africa, thereby institutionalizing fellowships in their memory. [8] Literary scholars honored include Toni Morrison and Ali Mazrui. [9] [10]

References

  1. "President's Message – Global Studies University" . Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 Anthony, Oliwe (29 August 2021). "Filling in gaps of global studies at the Africa institute, Sharjah". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  3. "History". the africa institute. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  4. "Current Faculty". the africa institute. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  5. "The Africa Institute announces multi-disciplinary meet covering Indian Ocean region". Al Arabiya English. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  6. Hassan, Salah. "Salah Hassan: country-focused season focuses on part of Africa". Salah Hassan: country-focused season focuses on part of Africa (Interview). Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  7. "Ghana: The power of art to safeguard history and change the future". The Africa Report.com. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  8. gulftoday (3 March 2024). "Tribute to a titan: The Africa Institute Sharjah pays homage to Toni Morrison". gulftoday. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  9. "Open Society Grant for African Cultural Heritage Fellowship - e-flux Education". e-flux. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  10. "New faculty, fellows, and Toni Morrison Fellowship - e-flux Education". e-flux. Retrieved 7 May 2025.