HAQAA Initiative Supports Capacity-Building Workshop Series for Quality Assurance in Southern Africa
The Harmonisation of African Higher Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation (HAQAA) Initiative played a crucial role in the recent capacity-building workshop hosted by the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education. Held in Harare, Zimbabwe. This workshop marked the launch of a series aimed at enhancing quality assurance practices across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The workshop brought together representatives from all 20 accredited higher education institutions in Zimbabwe, including quality assurance directors, pro-Vice Chancellors, government officials, and experts in the field. With a focus on both foundational principles and emerging trends in higher education, the event emphasized the importance of robust quality assurance mechanisms in fostering sustainable development and academic excellence.
Synergies with ongoing initiatives
This workshop series is organized as part of UNESCO’s Campus Africa Flagship Programme and seeks to create synergies with ongoing initiatives, particularly the HAQAA Initiative. By aligning with HAQAA, the workshops aim to promote a harmonized approach to quality assurance across African higher education systems, addressing common challenges and fostering collaboration among institutions.
Addressing Regional Challenges
The need for this capacity-building effort is underscored by the diverse challenges faced in the SADC region, including fragmented quality assurance practices and limited institutional capacity. Despite progress made in improving higher education standards, there remains a critical need for structured support to ensure that quality assurance mechanisms are consistent, effective, and aligned with international benchmarks.