World in Westminster: Africa Day

Africa Day at Westminster is an exciting opportunity to explore and strengthen the University’s connections to Africa. The event will feature brief presentations from colleagues and students sharing their work, interests, and projects related to Africa. It’s a chance to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other.

The event will take place at the Little Titchfield Street campus, ending with a cultural evening to further celebrate the day's discussions. Whether you're presenting or attending, this is a great opportunity to engage with Africa’s diverse cultures and issues.

Full programme

9.45–10am: On-site registration   

10–10.15am: Opening session – welcome by Peter Bonfield (President and Vice-Chancellor) and Dibyesh Anand (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Global Engagement and Employability) 

10.15–11.30am: Presentations and group discussion:

• Abdulhakeem Olarewaju Sulyman is a Senior Lecturer at Kwara State University and a visiting researcher at the University of Westminster. 
• Celia Kitenge was born in Congo, raised in Belgium, and educated in the UK and is an alum. 
• Darrel Kofkin is a Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and founder of an NGO supporting young entrepreneurs in Rwanda. 
• Mykaell Riley and Lizzie Bowes. Mykaell Riley is a Reader in Music, curator of the Beyond the Bassline exhibition, and Music Director for BBC Borders TV drama. Lizzie Bowes is a research associate at the Black Music Research Unit. 
• Lookman Sanusi is a CAMRI Visiting Scholar and creative professional with over 40 years of experience in media and project development. 
• Luckmore Chivandire is a Lecturer in Governance and Development, specializing in anti-corruption and financial inclusion in Africa. 
• Marie-France Nguo is a PhD researcher in Law at the University of Westminster, specialising in corporate accountability and transitional justice in the DRC. 
• Nashwa Nader Sadek is a lecturer in digital marketing strategy in the School of Management and Marketing.  
• Nitasha Kaul is a Professor of Politics, International Relations, and Critical Interdisciplinary Studies and the Director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy. 
• Paolo Cascone is Course Leader for the MSc in Architecture and Environmental Design and co-founder of the African Fabbers School. 
• Randhir Auluck is the Head of the School of Organisations, Economy, and Society, with experience in institutional capacity building in South Africa. 
• Regina Murphy Keith is a global health expert with over 40 years of experience, researching strategies to prevent malnutrition and improve healthcare access in Sub-Saharan Africa. 
• Shirley Thompson (OBE) is a Professor in the School of Arts and a composer, conductor, artistic director, educator, and violinist.  
• Wale Awoyinka is a graduate in International Relations and Development, passionate about Africa’s growth. 
• Winston Mano is a Professor in the Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI) and a Course Leader for the MA in Media and Development, as well as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of African Media Studies. 

11.30am–12pm: Highlight – alumni relations and global mobility. A cross-departmental team supporting student mobility, employability, and international partnerships in Africa. 

12–12.15pm: Highlight: Kaba’s Comedy Club. Kaba was born in Liberia, raised in Guinea, and later moved to the UK, aiming to support his home community through infrastructure projects. 

12.15–1pm: Networking lunch break 

1-2.15pm: Presentations and group discussion:

• Alastair J. Barr is a Reader in Pharmacology, Course Leader for the MSc in Pharmaceutical Science, and founder of the ONDB project, with a focus on early-stage drug discovery. 
• Anneta Paps-King is a Lecturer in Management and Marketing and Deputy Course Leader, dedicated to using education to drive financial inclusion and global policy reform for girls' education. 
• Ekem Karl-Agbee is an LLM student in International and Commercial Dispute Resolution Law with a background in education and college administration in the U.S. 
• Harry Charrington is a professor, architect, and formerly Head of the School of Architecture and Cities. 
• Irene Akua Brew-Riverson is the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Quality at the School of Finance and Accounting, with a passion for entrepreneurship and education in Ghana and Nigeria. 
• Josephine Kwami is a final year student on BA (Hons) French and English Literature 
• Manal Mohamed is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Microbiology, researching the impact of COVID-19 on antibiotic resistance. 
• Mary Martins is a British-Nigerian filmmaker and documentary animator exploring themes of social justice and marginalised communities. 
• Mbajiaku Ijeoma is a Masters student in Development Management, passionate about youth-driven innovation and change. 
• Richard Earle is a qualified lawyer, and now postgraduate law tutor in the Law School focusing on conflicts and disputes. 
• Susan Benhene-Ocrah is an Apprenticeship Skills Coach and researcher exploring Black Existentialism and its impact on identity and freedom. 
• Precious Ayogu is a BSc Human Nutrition student passionate about how different diets affect health and well-being. 

2.15–3pm: Open house session – opportunity for other students and colleagues and teams to highlight their work (2-min each)

3–3.15pm: Comfort break  

3.15–3.45pm: A workshop on “Africa and Westminster: The Value of Partnership” 

15.45–4pm: Closing remarks – Dibyesh Anand, Melissa Ramos Peimbert, and Elizabeth Onyango 

4–5pm: Performances and reception 

Organising committee

Dibyesh Anand, Melissa Ramos Peimbert, Elizabeth Onyango, Edgar Lee, and Maryam Salehi. 

Organiser contacts

Edgar Lee
E: [email protected]

Maryam Salehi
E: [email protected]

Location

Portland Hall, 4-12 Little Titchfield Street, University of Westminster