OBREAL participated in three key meetings on higher education integration in Africa held in Mauritius. OBREAL’s Director of International Projects, Elizabeth Colucci, and the Project Manager Africa, Apiyo Okwiri, travelled to Mauritius to participate in these three key meetings organized under the HAQAA3 initiative, financed by the Global Getaway program of the European Commission.
These regional events bring together key stakeholders from the higher education sector to consult on the various topics this initiative addresses, namely higher education data, credit transfer systems, and quality assurance.
The participants
The events brought together 30 participants representing national quality assurance agencies, ministries of education and qualifications authorities in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, associations of universities in Africa (the Association of African Universities (AAU), and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)) and higher education integration experts from Europe.
About 20 representatives from Mauritian universities, as well as staff from the Mauritius Higher Education Council (HEC) and from the Mauritius Quality Assurance Authoroty (QQA) staff, also attended. The Vice-Prime Minister officially opened the data system sevent, alongside HEC, SADC and OBREAL. HEC also welcomed a visit of the ACTS Expert Team for HAQAA3, to explore Mauritian policy in more detail.
The three meetings on higher education integration in Africa
- Regional Hybrid Event on an African Credit Transfer System (ACTS)
The participants discussed and debated results and implications for the further set-up and implementation of credit systems. Opportunities for increased student and staff mobility within Africa and the recognition of studies across borders were also discussed. - Southern Africa Focus Group on the establishment of a Pan African Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (PAQAA)
Participants discussed the proposed functions of this agency, how it will complement and connect existing national quality assurance agencies in Africa and how the governance structure will be taken forward. - Hybrid SADC Technical Meeting on EMIS System
The SADC Secretariat, with the support of HAQAA3, organized this event. It focused on EMIS (Educational Management Information System) and how it could be strengthened to fulfill its role and to promote the sharing of best practices.
