The objectives in establishing the AUST-Abuja campus are clear and specific. They fall under three broad headings: human capital development; improvement of Africa's education system; and knowledge development, incubation, and dissemination.

Human Capital Development

Growing human capital is critical to the economic development of Africa. AUST-Abuja will produce world-class scientists and engineers with the skills necessary to be leaders and entrepreneurs within their communities and societies in Africa; create and expand access and opportunities for education for disadvantaged students; and attract and retain quality students, researchers, and teachers, thereby assisting in developing Africa's human capital and mitigating the brain drain currently afflicting Africa.

Improvement of Africa's Education System

AUST-Abuja is uniquely placed to have a positive impact on the quality of Africa's education system. In this regard, it will lift the quality of existing tertiary and secondary institutions by the example it sets and through the competitive process of admission; provide leadership in the promotion of excellence in education in SSA through programs for faculty development--both for its own staff and for teachers in other higher learning institutions in SSA; and work with regional and national learning institutions to promote excellence in education.

Knowledge development, incubation, and dissemination

AUST-Abuja will play a critical role in developing and incubating scientific and technological knowledge and in disseminating that knowledge. It will carry out basic and applied research while developing collaborative links with other academic and research institutions in SSA and abroad--all in close collaboration with industry. Through collaboration and exchanges with other international centers of excellence, it also will enhance the transfer of technology to SSA.