The University of Lomé, in Togo, signed a strategic partnership with a local school, Sigma, and the french engineering school Cesi on the 14th of March 2025.
The stated objectives of this partnership are multiple:
- to disseminate the project-based learning method;
- to familiarize Togolese teachers at both schools with this teaching method;
- to strengthen the presence of Cesi and its African partners in West Africa.
“Sigma High School is a high-quality school: almost 100% of its students graduate with highest honors. We also discovered that the University of Lomé has several research centers focusing on current topics, such as innovation and sustainable cities. It seemed worthwhile to create this virtuous circle,” stated Stefan Seiler, Director of International Programs at Cesi, on April 22nd at the News Tank Africa bureau. The institution, which already has several partnerships in Africa, is thus strengthening its cooperation with the continent.
The partnership includes activities and exchanges between the three signatories, involving both students and teachers. “We will train their teaching staff and send our own to teach there from time to time,” explains Stefan Seiler. After completing the preparatory course at Lycée Sigma, the top students will be able to directly enter one of Cesi’s 25 campuses in Europe or Africa, following a selection process and interviews.
Implementing dual degree programs
Professors from the University of Lomé, in collaboration with their French colleagues, will lead conferences and roundtables at the Sigma High School. Semester-long exchanges are also planned, as well as the implementation of projects in the University of Lomé’s research laboratories.
“For example, the university has a research center dedicated to everything related to sustainable cities, sustainable mobility, sustainable energy… These are some of the key topics at CESI.” In the long term, the school also hopes to establish dual degree programs: “We really want to give our students the opportunity to discover the African environment and the challenges it presents,” says Stefan Seiler.
At this stage, the agreement does not include any financial exchange between the three parties for its implementation. “We contribute to the success of the partnership by dedicating our time and effort, and we cover our own travel expenses if we travel to Lomé.” Cesi is nevertheless seeking, in collaboration with its African partners, ways to finance student travel, both Togolese and French, through scholarships or corporate sponsorships.
ESI has already established agreements with institutions in Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon. “We have developed other partnerships with universities and schools, particularly in Anglophone Africa,” explains Stefan Seiler. Among those involved are Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya, and Ashesi University in Ghana… And ESI remains open to new agreements: “What matters most to us is creating a collaborative environment with schools that share our values,” he concludes.
This article produced by Afriscitech was published by NewsTank Education & Research on May 12, 2025. It is reproduced with the kind permission of NewsTank. It has been translated in English by Afriscitech.
