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Participants in the AfriQAN Conference in Maputo, Mozambique, 2022

Participants in the AfriQAN Conference in Maputo, Mozambique, 2022

The African Quality Assurance Network (AfriQAN) in collaboration with the National Council for Quality Evaluation of Higher Education (CNAQ) Mozambique, organized a hybrid conference that was held from 25th to 28th October 2022 in Maputo, Mozambique. The conference was supported by the HAQAA 2 initiative.

The three-day hybrid conference held under the theme “Post COVID-19: Emerging Developments in Quality Assurance in Africa. “Towards Strengthening Synergies between Quality Assurance Agencies and Accelerating Regional Integration”, brought together representatives of regional bodies in charge of higher education, representative of various associations of universities in Africa, representatives of Quality Assurance Agencies in Africa, representatives of various quality assurance networks in Africa and representatives of higher education institutions in Africa.

 

The conference offered a platform for participants to share new developments in quality assurance in their respective African regions and networks. During the conference, updates and presentations on the Harmonisation of African Higher Education, Quality Assurance, and Accreditation were made. Furthermore, participants got an opportunity to discuss and give inputs on the creation of the Pan-African Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency and the establishment of the African Credit and Transfer system. The conference also provided an opportunity to strengthen and support collaboration between quality assurance networks. On the last day, the Lusophone Quality Assurance Network was established.

In her welcome address, the AfriQAN President, Prof. Maria-Luisa Chicote, explained that the Network was established with the mission of promoting a culture of quality assurance in higher education in Africa. She reiterated the Network’s commitment to enhancing the quality of higher education delivery in Africa in collaboration with various actors in higher education.

Prof. Maria Luisa Chicote, AfriQAN President

Prof. Maria Luisa Chicote, AfriQAN President

 

Also speaking at the event. Prof. Olusola Oyewole, the Secretary-General of the Association of African Universities, congratulated the Network for organizing a physical conference after the Covid-19 pandemic. He requested members to take note of the deliberations of the conference and use them to advance the quality of higher education and other related initiatives in Africa.

Prof. Olusola B. Oyewole, Secretary-General, Association of African Universities

Prof. Olusola B. Oyewole, Secretary-General, Association of African Universities

The representative of OBREAL Global, Ms. Apiyo Okwiri promised the support of OBREAL in the harmonization of quality assurance in higher education across Africa. She emphasized that the AfriQAN has an important role to play in the process of enhancing the quality culture in Africa by sharing best practices and experts in the area. She added that OBREAL is ready and willing to work with the network.

 

The conference was officially opened by His Excellency Prof. Daniel Daniel Nivagara, Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education in Mozambique. He advised participants to synergise various quality assurance initiatives to provide concrete policies and guidance that will ensure the provision of quality education in Africa.

His Excellency Prof. Daniel Daniel Nivagara, Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education in Mozambique

His Excellency Prof. Daniel Daniel Nivagara, Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education in Mozambique

 

The African Quality Assurance Network (AfriQAN) is a network that was set up in 2007 as a regional umbrella organization for quality assurance agencies in Africa. It is committed to the enhancement of the quality of higher education delivery on the continent through collaborations with similar organizations in the continent and beyond.

 

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