In a move to bolster educational ties, the Department of State is enhancing connections between African universities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) exchange. This initiative aligns with National HBCU Week.

The program includes participants from 11 African countries, comprising higher education faculty, administrators, and government officials. Their focus is on internationalizing university campuses and expanding educational links with U.S. institutions.

As part of the program, participants attended the 2024 Annual National HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They engaged with leaders from various universities and colleges in Birmingham, Alabama, and Atlanta, Georgia. Discussions covered partnerships within the education sector, nonprofit initiatives, best practices in university governance, and the legacy of HBCUs.

The program concludes this week in Washington D.C., where meetings will explore trends in U.S. higher education and federal efforts to foster international cooperation among educational institutions.

The Mississippi Consortium for International Development (MCID), a nonprofit organization formed by four HBCUs in Mississippi, is the implementing partner for this IVLP. For further information or press inquiries, contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at ECA-Press@state.gov.