Georgia Southern professor invited by former Nigerian president to serve in Africa Progress Group

May 8, 2018

At the invitation of former Nigerian president General Olusegun Obasanjo, Georgia Southern University College of Education (COE) Professor and Goizueta Distinguished Chair of Education Alejandro Gallard, Ph.D., will serve on the new, six-member Africa Progress Group (APG) to advocate for equitable and sustainable development for Africa.

APG was created to continue the work of Africa Progress Panel (APP), a similar alliance led by former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, and will push for the implementation of APP recommendations that address national challenges with energy, agriculture, infrastructure and climate change.

Included in APG’s “select group of thought leaders who can provide much appreciated substantive input and advice,” Gallard will consult with the group on a regular basis to offer his expertise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

“It is humbling when an advisory council for a continent asks for your expertise,” said Gallard. “I look at this as an opportunity to help improve STEM literacy throughout Africa and look for ways to connect Africa with the state of Georgia through academic and economic partnerships.”

Gallard joined Georgia Southern in 2012 after serving 17 years at Florida State University. As the Goizueta Distinguished Chair of Education, Gallard helps reinforce COE’s commitment to fulfilling its mission to facilitate learning opportunities that are authentic, student-centered and meet individual student’s intellectual and career goals. He works to develop collaborative initiatives in conducting and developing funded projects that support improvements in educational settings with direct ties to diverse learners.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving more than 27,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.