Program Overview

Introduction to the University Program

The University Senghor, in collaboration with the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), is launching a call for applications for a certified online training program on the theme "Parliament and Entrepreneurship: The Role of Parliament in Developing a National Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the Francophone Space."

Presentation

The 44th ordinary session of the Francophone Ministerial Conference, held in November 2023 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, retained the theme of the 2024 Francophone Summit: "Creating, Innovating, and Entrepreneurship in French." Entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in the economic programs and public policies of many Francophone countries. The ability to innovate and undertake is an essential lever for the development of the private sector within the Francophonie. In this context, parliaments have a crucial role to play. In some national configurations, there is a lack of dialogue between legislative institutions and economic growth actors, namely entrepreneurs. It is therefore imperative to strengthen the capacities of Francophone parliaments over time to enable them to better appropriate their role and responsibility in developing a national entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Objectives

The training aims to raise awareness among elected officials and parliamentary administration officials about the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in national economic growth strategies in Francophone countries.

Target Audience

The training is primarily aimed at legislators and parliamentary officials from member sections of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF).

Certification

The training will lead to the award of a 5-credit ECTS university certificate, issued by the University Senghor to participants who have validated all 6 modules.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this training, candidates must:

• Be a parliamentarian or official of a parliament that is a member of the APF
• Hold a university degree of at least Bac+3 level
• Have an interest in issues related to entrepreneurship and innovation in the parliamentary context
• Justify a minimum B2 level in French or have successfully followed a university education in French for nationals of countries where French is not an official language

Evaluation Methods

Participants will respond to a questionnaire before the training to assess their knowledge and gather their expectations. During the training, learners will be evaluated through various methods (group work, multiple-choice questions, document development, presentation to a jury, etc.) to verify the achievement of objectives. A questionnaire will be submitted to participants at the end of the program to assess their satisfaction. At the end of the course, the learner will receive a certificate that validates the acquisition of the expected skills.

Conditions for Obtaining the Certificate

The obtaining of the certificate is subject to conditions, including:

• An attendance rate of 80% in classes
• The submission of all deliverables within the deadlines
• Obtaining an average of at least 10/20

Tuition Fees

The registration fees amount to 1000. The APF will award a scholarship covering the registration fees to the 40 selected participants after examining their application.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application before August 30, 2024, which must include:

1. A detailed curriculum vitae without a photo (2 pages maximum)
2. A letter of motivation (1 page maximum) explaining the reasons for choosing to participate in this training
3. A photocopy of the last diploma obtained
4. A letter of recommendation from the hierarchy
5. A B2 certificate or a copy of a university diploma followed in French for nationals of countries where French is not an official language

Selection Process

The selection will be made after examining the application files by the selection committee. The University Senghor will inform all candidates, selected or not, via the email address used during submission.