The PANGeA Early Career Fellowship programme was launched at Stellenbosch University (STIAS) on 8 June 2017. The first cohort of PANGeA 
Early Career Fellows commenced their 8 week residency in June 2017.
The aim of the programme is to invest in promising talent by providing them with an opportunity to enhance their research profile and attend specialized workshops that will equip them with the necessary skills in University administration to further their careers.
The launch of the early career fellowship programme coincided with the PANGeA Annual Board Meeting that discussed a series of issues aimed at improving the operations of the Network. Issues discussed included governance, academic support, selection criteria for doctoral scholarships, progress of PANGeA-Ed skills development programme, successes and challenges facing the Network.
Presenting the achievements of the Network, Dr Cindy Steenekamp, said of the 72 candidates that have enrolled for PHD training since 2010 when the programme was launched, 49 have graduated.
The PANGeA Doctoral programme offers three-year full time residential scholarships in the arts, humanities and social sciences. The programme provides broad-based research and scholarship support through workshops, seminars, and short courses.
At the meeting, board members elected Prof. Enos Njeru, Principal College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Nairobi as the new Board Chair of PANGeA. Prof. Njeru takes on from Prof. Edward Kirumira, Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University.
The Partnership of Africa’s Next Generation of Academics (PANGeA) is a collaborative network of leading African universities developing research capacity and confidence in bringing African expertise to Africa’s challenges.
The network aims to strengthen scholarship and research exclusively in the arts, humanities and social sciences; develop research capacity on site; offer supervision for and participate in collaborative world class PhD programmes and advanced research programmes focused on Africa and offer joint doctoral degree programmes
Founding universities:
- University of Botswana
- University of Dar esSalaam (Tanzania)
- MakerereUniversity (Uganda)
- University of Malawi
- University of Nairobi (Kenya)
- Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
New partner universities:
- University of Ghana
- University of Yaoundé I (Cameroon)