11 workshop on establishment of a continental accreditation agency for higher education in africa 10...

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Workshop on Establishment of a Continental Accreditation Agency for Higher Education in Africa 10 – 11 April 2013, Addis Ababa

Rationale for Establishing a Continental Accreditation Agency

Dr. Yohannes WoldetensaeSenior Education Expert

Department of Human Resources, Science and TechnologyAfrican Union Commission

African Union Commission

Background and Rationale

Because HE systems in Africa are structured in different ways, it is imperative to integrate into a continental system of harmonization to facilitate recognition of qualifications across the continent

Continental cooperation in QA and accreditation is imperative to facilitate student & staff mobility

There is a strong need for effective networking of QA and accreditation agencies in Africa at national, regional and continental levels to promote an equivalent way of assessing quality

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The AU harmonization strategy incorporates a strong focus on establishing effective QA and accreditation mechanisms in order to enhance the global competiveness of African universities

A partnership at continental levels is vital to assure the quality of higher education systems and their compatibility in accreditation process

It is crucial to harmonize standards and criteria so that universities in Africa will be regulated on agreed and comparable standards

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Yet Africa does not have any continental QA and accreditation system of HE, but several countries have their national QA system put in place

Efforts need to be made to ascertain comparability and equivalencies across nations and regions in higher education quality monitoring, leading to an African-wide structure

It is imperative to reinforce cooperation between national regional QA / accreditation bodies and promote the establishment of a Continental Accreditation Agency for HE in Africa

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One major requirement for the PAU is ensuring excellence through internal quality assurance mechanisms and external accreditation

But institutions that form the PAU are located in several different countries. Currently, there is no continental mechanism for accreditation

The establishment of a Continental Accreditation Agency is vital to guarantee high quality of education provision in the Pan African University and to ensure its international recognition

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The AU Executive Council decision of January 2012 on the establishment of the PAU also requested the AUC to develop an African Accreditation Agency in collaboration with relevant stakeholders

Communiqué of the 5th International Conference on Quality Assurance in Higher Education in Africa also recommended that Key stakeholders should collaborate to establish a Continental Accreditation Agency for Africa and work out the possible operational modalities

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As national QA system has only limited value in this globalization era, creation of a continental accreditation mechanism is paramount

The creation of continent-wide accreditation body will strengthen cooperation in:

– Quality monitoring – Development of compatible methodologies– Harmonization of accreditation procedures – Mutual recognition of academic qualifications– Mobility of students and academics

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Initiatives in QA shall be better coordinated and aligned towards a common Africa vision by identifying opportunities for synergies

Formal cooperation between national and regional regulatory bodies is crucial to foster development of compatible accreditation standards and continental framework for QA

There is an urgent need to exert coordinated efforts to establish a continental accreditation agency for higher education in Africa

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Continental Accreditation Agency OBJECTIVES

Foster collaboration and linkages among QA and accreditation bodies across the continent

Advance good accreditation practices in Africa

Provide advice and expertise to assist the development of national QA/accreditation bodies

Foster development of compatible accreditation standards in Africa

Supervise the quality of education provision in the Pan African University

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The Way Forward

A first step towards the establishment of a Continental Accreditation Agency is to create a platform for key stakeholders to discuss on the process of establishing and possible modalities

Such consultative meeting is essential to identify areas of collaboration between quality assurance and accreditation agencies towards harmonization

Critically examine the technical, financial, and administrative issues with regard to establishment of a Continental Accreditation Agency

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The Way Forward

Spot comparable practices that create basis for regional and continental harmonization in QA and accreditation practices

Work out the possible operational modalities for developing a Pan-African QA framework and a continental accreditation mechanism

Identify the specific roles of both AfriQAN and the Continental Accreditation Agency

Strengthen collaboration among QA agencies

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Concluding Remarks

African countries and universities need to work to improve the quality of their educational programs and to establish coherent systems of equivalence and accreditation

Continental Mechanism From diversity to harmonisation while maintaining institutional and national identities and autonomy

Ensuring quality of higher education is crucial to promote African integration through mutual recognition of qualifications and mobility of students and academics

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Concluding Remarks

There should be a robust QA and accreditation mechanism in Africa that is well integrated at national, regional and continental levels

Synergy of key stakeholders is crucial for the development process of a Pan-African QA and accreditation scheme and its effective realization

Explore a common ground for joint action

Support of all the key partners is imperative

THANK YOU

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11 workshop on establishment of a continental accreditation agency for higher education in africa 10...

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