The Inter-Regional University of Industrial Engineering, Biotechnologies and Applied Sciences – or IRGIB-Africa University for short – is the model of a modern university that aims to combine theory and practice in the industrial world of engineering. The university in Benin is bilingually managed, linking the English-speaking and French-speaking areas of Africa.
In 2016, there were approximately 1.300 students of 16 different nationalities at IRGIB Africa University, 63% of whom were female. In addition to bachelor’s and master’s degrees, it has been equally possible to earn a Ph.D. there since 2015.
The main goal of the university is to train highly qualified workers in the advanced sciences in sub-Saharan Africa. Due to the special technical equipment of the university, it is not only used independently, but likewise by other regional educational institutions for research purposes. The motto of IRGIB-Africa shows the effort to fight against the underdevelopment of Africa through education.
During the Corona pandemic, the university’s expertise was instrumental in providing hand sanitizers to the African population.
IRGIB Africa University, whose main campus is in the Republic of Benin, is using its collaboration with ACCESS to do something about youth unemployment. It aims to increase the employability of its more than 100.000 annual graduates, as well as their entrepreneurial skills, so they can play their part in the country’s economic development.
It hopes to help develop new teaching methods that enable and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship to boost Benin’s economy.
