Abidjan, September 16, 2026 – Alassane Ouattara University in Bouaké hosted a dual ceremony on Monday, September 14, 2026. The event marked both the solemn opening of the 2026-2027 academic year—under the theme "Higher Education and Scientific Research: Driving Force of Côte d'Ivoire's Industrial Development"—and the official inauguration of the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) branch in Bouaké.
This dual ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the President of the Economic, Social, Environmental, and Cultural Council (CESEC), Eugène Aka Aouélé, and the Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs, Amadou Koné, representing the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Téné Birahima Ouattara, who served as the high patron of the ceremony.
Regarding the 2026-2027 academic year, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Adama Diawara stated that the chosen theme directly addresses the structural transformation challenges of the Ivorian economy. Specifically, it aims to leverage human capital development, technological mastery, applied research, and innovation to drive the country's industrialization.
The Minister recalled that the Ivorian higher education and research system has entered a new phase of transformation, notably supported by the new law on higher education, research, and innovation.
This reform aims to enhance system quality and performance, further professionalize academic programs, commercialize research results, stimulate innovation, and strengthen ties between higher education institutions and the productive sector.
Regarding the ENS branch in Bouaké, Adama Diawara highlighted that this new infrastructure will boost teacher training capacity while ensuring a better geographical distribution of educational offerings across the country.
For the Minister, opening this branch represents an important milestone in decentralizing teacher training. With Bouaké and soon San Pedro the State intends to expand its training capacity and ensure better coverage across different regions of the country.
Representing the high patron of the ceremony, Minister Amadou Koné also emphasized the close link between training, innovation, and economic development.
According to him, this dual ceremony reflects a core conviction: "There can be no sustainable economic transformation without a profound transformation of our training, research, and innovation system."
Located within Alassane Ouattara University in Bouaké, the ENS branch spans 4 hectares. It features a 650-seat amphitheater, 11 tutorial rooms with 60 seats each, four computer labs, scientific laboratories, 15 administrative and pedagogical offices, a library, a cafeteria, and other facilities.