Overview

The Institute of African Studies has made great strides since its inception almost a decade ago. Looking back on the last 10 years, the IAS has been a hub for enriching exchanges, collaborations between the continent and its diaspora and has been a second home to its students and alumni who have cultivated meaningful connections through its programs.

As we celebrate the 10-year anniversary, the Institute of African Studies is looking forward to celebrating all that has been accomplished, and to forge the path ahead. The conference will feature panels,  book launch, poetry & drama, banquet and music. It will also provide a platform for reconnecting with alumni, with lots of learning opportunities for current students and engaging with our broader community.

The Background

It was close to ten years ago that the Institute of African Studies was inaugurated at its official launch conference. The two-day event featured notable keynote speakers Professor V. Y. Mudimbe (author of The Invention of Africa, The Idea of Africa, among others) and Lawrence Hill (author of The Book of Negroes, Any Known Blood, among others).

The conference welcomed academics from around the world, along with its first cohort of students enrolled in the Combined Honors Program in African Studies. Since then, the program has expanded to include the Bachelor of Global and International Studies Degree with a specialization in Africa and Globalization, along with a collaborative master’s program with a specialization in African Studies.

With the expansion of its course and program offerings, there has inevitably been an expansion of students and alumni. This event will offer the unique opportunity for current students to hear from and network with current alumni working in the field, and to engage with scholars representing the vibrant continent of Africa.

The Impact

Carleton is the only Canadian university to have a stand-alone Institute of African Studies which also offers degree programs. Since it was established, the Institute has been home to study abroad courses, undergraduate and graduate conferences, visiting scholars from the continent and multiple research initiatives. This conference will provide students with the opportunity to learn from and network with fellow students and alumni, hear from distinguished speakers. Our doors will be open wide to the community. We will celebrate the foundations on which the IAS was built by nurturing the commitment to teaching, research, debate and community outreach on all matters related to Africa.

Keynote Speaker

Mariètou MBAYE (Ken Bugul) was born in Senegal. She is the  author of ten novels translated into several languages and she made her literary debut in 1982 with the publication of the novel based on her life, Le baobab fou (translated into English as The Abandoned Baobab). Mbaye’s pen name, Ken Bugul, means “one who is unwanted” in her mother tongue, Wolof. She has lived in many African countries and around the world, working in economic development and family planning for the last ten years. She fights for the total emancipation of women.Three brand new books will be launched on Thursday March 12 and the Authors and Editors will be there for the autograph sessions!

Book Launch

Three brand new books will be launched on Thursday March 12 and the Authors and Editors will be there for autograph sessions!

Date: Thursday March 12, 2020 | 8:00 am & 1:15 pm
Venue: Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 290 Lisgar St. Ottawa, ON K2P 0E2

Attendance is FREE but registration is MANDATORY

REGISTER HERE