TALENT & SKILLS

The core team behind TALENT & SKILLS and WAY UP. We are committed to helping our students :

Prioritise human intelligence and soft skills


Develop sustainable and proactive employability


Act with integrity and responsibility when using AI and digital tools


Embrace an international mindset and openness to the world


Explore in-depth and research-based Knowledge

We are grateful to have been part of the 15th International Conference for Business and Economic Development, organised by the Centre for Business and Economic Research (UK) and Medgar Evers College, City University of New York (US).

We were thrilled to present our research on international migration from Sub-Saharan Africa to the US and the UK, on the 20th and 21st of April 2026.

Our research sheds light on the impact of this migration from three perspectives: brain drain, brain waste, and mismatched expectations for highly skilled Sub-Saharan African migrants.

Les étudiants sont les premiers bénéficiaires de nos travaux de recherche car nous les transformons en outils pédagogiques. Grâce à l’intégration des résultats de recherche dans nos enseignements, ils accèdent à des connaissances actualisées du monde anglophone et développent un esprit critique essentiel à leur formation.

Cette approche axée sur la recherche leur permet également de se familiariser avec les méthodes de travail propres à la recherche, renforçant ainsi leur autonomie et leur capacité à résoudre des problèmes. En participant ainsi à nos projets de recherche, ils deviennent acteurs de leur apprentissage et se préparent plus efficacement aux défis du monde professionnel.

Nous travaillons cette semaine avec nos étudiants sur notre recherche : « Migration, Mobility, and Mismatched Expectations: the Global Pull of African Human Capital ». Nous aurons le plaisir de présenter nos résultats, à Medgar Evers College, City University of New York, lors de la 15ème International Conference on Business and Economic Development, le 20 et 21 avril.

Our research primarily benefits students, as we transform it into teaching resources. By incorporating research findings into our teaching, students gain access to up-to-date knowledge of the English-speaking world, while developing the critical thinking skills that are essential for their studies.

This research-based approach lets them learn research-specific working methods, strengthening their empowerment and problem-solving abilities. By participating in our research projects, students take an active role in their learning and prepare more effectively for the challenges of the professional world.

This week, we are working with our students on our current research ‘Migration, Mobility, and Mismatched Expectations: the Global Pull of African Human Capital’. We are delighted to announce that we will be presenting this research at Medgar Evers College, City University of New York, during the 15th International Conference on Business and Economic Development, on the 20th and 21st of April.

Nos enseignements et nos formations sont renforcés par nos recherches, qui s'articulent autour de 3 pôles :

Pôle 1 : Les dynamiques du monde anglophone
Pôle 2 : Les transformations économiques en Afrique Sub-Saharienne
Pôle 3 : Les mutations du marché du travail et l'employabilité des jeunes.

C'est au sein de WAY UP que prennent forment nos travaux de recherche, concernant nos 2ème et 3ème pôle.

Voici nos axes de recherche :

Axe 1 : Le marché du travail et l'employabilité des jeunes
Axe 2 : Les systèmes éducatifs et les politiques éducatives
Axe 3 : Les mutations du monde contemporain et leurs impacts sur l'emploi des jeunes
Axe 4 : La gouvernance universitaire et l'adaptation au marché du travail
Axe 5 : Les comparaisons internationales

Enseigner l’anglais et le monde anglophone de manière holistique, accorde aussi une place de choix, à la dimension artistique. Pendant nos cours d’anglais, nous explorons entre autres supports pédagogiques, des documents iconographiques.

Explorer l’art visuel est un exercice qui stimule la réflexion critique des étudiants, enrichit leur culture générale, capte leur attention et encourage l’expression orale.

Teaching English and the English-speaking world in a holistic way also places a strong emphasis on the artistic dimension. During our English lessons, we explore visual arts along with other teaching resources.

Exploring visual art stimulates students’ critical thinking, enhances their general knowledge, focuses attention and encourages oral expression.

A few examples of visual arts we studied:

🖼️Normal RockelI, the Problem We all live (1964) to illustrate our course on the History of American civil rights movement.

🖼️Sam Nhlengethwa, Sharpeville Shooting (1992) on a topic titled: South Africa: how to mend the past?

🖼️Dorothea Lange, Migrant mother (1936) to discuss the Great Depression

🖼️Andy Warhol, Endangered Species (1980), to further our course on threats facing the Serengeti National Park

🖼️Samuel Fosso, African Spirits (2008), when we delved into soft skills and self-awareness discussion.

🖼️Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Condor and the Mole (2011), to encourage reflection following a scientific article on the benefits of friendship and social interaction for longevity

🖼️Banksy, Slave Labour (2012) to illustrate a topic on Youth Labour and the Future of Work

Hier, nous avons analysé en profondeur les enjeux du débat actuel sur la manière dont les industries de la tech façonnent un nouvel ordre mondial. Nous avons notamment cerné le rôle et l’influence des plateformes numériques dans les tensions géopolitiques émergentes.

Étudier le monde anglophone, c'est aussi comprendre les dynamiques culturelles, économiques et politiques qui structurent notre époque. Cette réflexion nous a permis de mieux comprendre les rapports de pouvoir contemporains et leurs implications.

Yesterday, we dived into the issues at stake in the current debate on how the tech industries are shaping a new world order. We examined the role and influence of digital platforms in emerging geopolitical tensions.

Studying the English-speaking world also means understanding the cultural, economic and political dynamics that shape our era. This reflection helped us to better understand contemporary power relations and their implications.

Reading plays a key role in our teaching approach. At intermediate levels, we delve into classic novels to help students develop their core English skills and broaden their understanding of the English-speaking world.

We strive to pass on our passion for reading to our students. Together, we explore timeless and universal themes such as childhood, innocence, and adversity, through the works of various English-speaking authors, examining them from different historical perspectives:

📕Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens
During England’s Indusrial Revolution
📕The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain
Set along the Mississippi River during Antebellum America
📕Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
Set in Massachusetts during and just after the American Civil War
📕Anne of Green Gables – Lucy Maud Montgomery
During post-Confederation Canada
📕The Years of Childhood – Wole Soyinka
Set in colonial Nigeria under British rule
📕The Village by the Sea – Anita Desai
In contemporary post-independence India

Our students completed their midterm assessment on February 26th. We're proud of their hard work and can't wait to see them keep up the good work and learn more!

Nous sommes ravis de vous présenter notre premier dossier thématique sur l'employabilité des jeunes en Afrique Sub-Saharienne. Nous vous y présentons les défis et perspectives pour l'amélioration de l'emploi des jeunes dans plusieurs pays.

WAY UP est le centre de recherche rattaché à TALENT & SKILLS. WAY UP a pour premier objectif d’analyser en profondeur les obstacles qui freinent l’insertion professionnelle des jeunes en Afrique Sub-Saharienne.

Dans notre programme TALENT & SKILLS LEARNING ENGLISH, nous abordons l’enseignement de manière holistique basée sur une méthode qui combine à la fois l’étude de l’anglistique et celle du monde anglophone. Cet enseignement inclut l’anglais de spécialité. Nous proposons, entre autres Anglais de spécialité, l’English for Academic Research.

Nous visons à enseigner par et pour la recherche afin d'initier les étudiants à la recherche, de les inviter à penser comme un chercheur, à adopter une posture scientifique et à devenir eux-mêmes producteurs de savoirs.

Ici nous travaillons avec les étudiants du niveau avancé sur notre recherche « Britain’s Financial Support for International Development in Africa ». Il s’agit d’une recherche que nous avons eu le plaisir de présenter à l’University of London Institute in Paris, en décembre 2025.

Les objectifs pédagogiques :
Avoir des connaissances du monde anglophone
Analyser une politique publique internationale
Articuler théorie et étude de cas
Développer un regard critique sur l’aide internationale
Proposer des recommandations opérationnelles

Les compétences développées :
Comment élaborer une problématique de recherche
Comment formuler des hypothèses de recherche
Comment identifier les "research gaps"
Comprendre les implications pratiques de la recherche

In our TALENT & SKILLS LEARNING ENGLISH programme, we take a holistic approach to teaching based on a method that combines the study of English language and culture with the study of the English-speaking world. We teach English for specific purposes including English for Academic Research.

Our teaching is research-led, familiarising students with the research process, encouraging them to think like researchers and adopt a scientific approach, and enabling them to become producers of knowledge themselves.

Here, we are working with our advanced students on our research project entitled ‘Britain's Financial Support for International Development in Africa’. We had the pleasure of presenting this research at the University of London Institute in Paris in December 2025.

Learning objectives:
Gaining insights into the English-speaking world
Analysing international public policy
Combining theory and case studies
Developing a critical approach to international aid
Proposing operational recommendations

Skills developed:
How to develop a research question
How to formulate research hypotheses
How to identify research gaps
Understanding the practical implications of research

On February 25, 2025, TALENT & SKILLS celebrated Black History Month at the University of Lomé with a study day: “Black Labour in America and Labour in Sub-Saharan Africa”.

The study day focused on the labour market and employment in the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa. The first paper examined how four centuries of African American labour power have shaped the US, from slavery to the modern construction of a capitalist America. "Workers on arrival, Black Labor in the making of America, written by Dr Joe William Trotter Jr: A book review" (Lovatiana RAVELOARISON).

The issue of employment in Sub-Saharan Africa was addressed from the perspective of Africa's brain drain and its impact on the continent's development. A theoretical and conceptual framework and a review of the literature were provided to define the brain drain and assess its impact on economic development. “African youth brain-drain and the impact on Africa's development” (Mialy RABARISON).

In the US context, the issue of Black labour has also been examined from the perspective of inequalities in the labour market. Black women face systemic discrimination in the labour market, including the 'glass ceiling', 'glass cliff', 'sticky floor', 'misogynoir' and 'intersectionality'. These concepts were explored in "Conceptualising gender inequality for Black women" (Taratrasoa ANDRIATAHINA).

Empowering young people through employment is one of the 2030 sustainable development goals. What is the current state of youth employment in Sub-Saharan Africa? What employment policies and strategies have been implemented to improve youth employment in the region? These questions were addressed in "Mapping Youth Labour in Sub-Saharan Africa" (Nivosoa RAZOARIVELO).

We delved into the inspiring figures of African descent, both past and present, who have impacted the world through their actions or works in many fields, including politics, science, literature, sport and the arts. "Honouring Black Labour leaders across the globe" (Emilie GNONFAM GNANDI & Victoire AKAKPO).

The celebration concluded with a series of performances by students, who presented readings, dances and songs.