2019/20 Year in review  Firoz Lalji  Centre for Africa | 01
2019/20 YEAR IN REVIEW MESSAGE FROM FIROZ LALJI
Over the last four years the Centre has seen remarkable growth into a worldpioneering hub for research and African leadership. The expanding global PfAL network will soon be strengthened by another cohort of exceptional students, and new research projects continue to build connections across the African continent, addressing urgent challenges with real-world impact. In these times it is encouraging to see how an academic institution can be more connected than ever. Firoz Lalji (BSc Economics, 1969)
The Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa was founded in 2016, the same year I was appointed as the next Director of LSE. Since then, the Centre has been a source of pride for me as an Egyptian-born alumnus of LSE, putting African issues at the heart of global debates and continuously producing rigorous research while engaging international audiences. The School now has a strong focal point for those interested in Africa and a place that brings the African community at LSE together. It is crucial that insights from Africa grow throughout our teaching and research, and I am excited to see the Centre expand its activities over the coming year. Dame Minouche Shafik Director, London School of Economics and Political Science