Africa Day 2026 Symposium at Sunway University!
Celebrating the diverse heritage of 19 African nations, Sunway Square served as the vibrant backdrop for the 2026 Africa Day Symposium: Education, Trade, and Investment. The event featured insights and collaboration from esteemed delegates, including representatives from the African Heads of Mission (AHOM), the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). Adding to the prestige of the occasion was the presence of Guest of Honour YB Adam Adli, Deputy Minister of Higher Education. Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Charge d'Affaires were present from the 19 countries, namely:
Africa Day marks the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union (AU), in 1963. It symbolises the collective aspirations of African nations for unity, liberation, and socio-economic progress. This special day also serves as a celebration of the continent’s rich cultural heritage, resilience, and ongoing efforts toward peace, development, and cooperation. The significance of Africa Day attracted over 300 physical guests, and close to 1000 views on the official livestream available on Facebook
Held in Sunway Square’s modern Q-Lecture Theatre 360, the event officially began with the playing of the African Union anthem and the Malaysian national anthem, Negaraku. Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President and Vice-Chancellor of Sunway University, took the stage to deliver his opening remarks. Prof Sibrandes shared a brief history of Sunway City, as well as talking about Sunway University’s diverse student community, particularly the large African student community.
He then invited Her Excellency Mrs Constance Chemwayi, Dean of AHOM and Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe, to address the audience. Her Excellency Mrs Constance expressed happiness at the deep friendship between Africa and Malaysia. She also noted the significance of the choice of venue, as a circular setup for discussion holds great sacred weight in African culture.
YB Adam Adli concluded the opening ceremony with a final welcoming address. He expressed his belief that education is the ultimate catalyst for economic resilience, before expressing his gratitude to African students and researchers for choosing Malaysia as their base. Before leaving the stage, he was presented with a token of appreciation by Prof Sibrandes Poppema and H.E Mrs. Constance Chemwayi.
The symposium then commenced, focusing on the key areas of trade, education, investment, and tourism. The symposium was moderated by Sunway University’s Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam.
H.E. Karim Mohamed Elsadat AbdelKarim AbdelKhalek, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Mr Naim Abdul Rahman, Director for Central, West, South Asia, and Africa at MATRADE, provided an overview of trade. They highlighted the strong bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Africa, alongside the geographical challenges involved.
Shifting the focus to education, Associate Professor Ts. Dr Elisha Tadiwa Nyamasvisva, an academic from Zimbabwe based at the Kuala Lumpur University of Science and Technology (KLUST), and Mr Shahrill Sabaruddin, Chief Marketing Officer at EMGS, shared their insights. Dr Elisha emphasised the high satisfaction rates among African students studying in Malaysia and the importance of industry involvement in education. Mr Shahrill then highlighted Malaysia’s recent success in global rankings, noting significant leaps by multiple institutions, including Sunway University.
Addressing investment, His Excellency Morecome Mumba, High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia, candidly discussed the main challenges faced, such as fear, instability, and poor governance.
Serving as the final speaker for the symposium, His Excellency Mohamed Assadiq Masaud Attia, Ambassador of the State of Libya, delivered an overview on tourism. He stressed the importance of people-to-people connections forged through food, festivals, films, sports, and cultural exchange.
The symposium concluded with an engaging Q&A session led by Prof. Abhimanyu, giving guests the opportunity to ask questions and voice their perspectives. This led to highly productive discussions on student mobility, government policies, and international collaboration. Among the topics addressed were:
Potential for African students to gather post-studies work experience in Malaysia
Collaborations between African nations and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia in the Halal industry
The symposium concluded with remarks from His Excellency Menzie Sipho Dlamini, High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Eswatini, who also served as Deputy Dean and Chair of Africa Day 2026. After expressing his sincere delight at the event’s success, he brought the gathering to a close with a powerful quote from Nelson Mandela: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
Following the formal sessions, the crowd transitioned to Sunway Square’s Q Deck, which had come alive with booths representing various African nations alongside invited food vendors like Nando’s and Steers. Performances by Sunway University’s talented African students further elevated the upbeat mood of the event.
The university's African student community thoroughly enjoyed the cultural exchange, expressing that they felt truly "seen and represented." Natsai, a Sunway student from Zimbabwe, shared her joy at the event’s success, noting how the food on offer served as a wonderful form of cultural diplomacy.
Ultimately, the 2026 Africa Day Symposium was more than just a formal gathering; it was a genuine celebration of culture and connection. The panel discussions laid the groundwork for stronger ties in trade and education, and the shared food, music, and conversations at the Q Deck truly brought the event to life. The day left a lasting impact not just on the visiting delegates, but on the students who got to see their heritage proudly represented and celebrated on campus, proving that sometimes the most effective international diplomacy simply happens over great food and company.
