African Rural University (ARU) is currently participating in the 14th Annual East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Conference, taking place at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala–Uganda. ARU is represented by Doloka Namutosi, Quality Assurance Officer (QAO), and Lwanga Anthony Claret, Academic Registrar (AR) in this four-day conference aimed at charting a collective path toward a stronger, more integrated East African Community (EAC) higher education space.

This conference is being held under the overarching theme: “Strengthening and Harmonizing Higher Education Quality Assurance Systems for Enhanced East Africa Regional Integration.”

Sub-Themes

In the four days, participants will delve into three strategic sub-themes of discussion: Enhancing quality assurance mechanisms to promote competence-based education for East Africa’s regional development; Leveraging innovative technological integration in internal and external quality assurance practices to achieve excellence in higher education; and promoting best practices to advance the realization of a Common Higher Education Area in East Africa.

The four-day conference, organized by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) with support from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and other partners, has drawn delegates from all eight East African states as well as representatives from West and Southern Africa. These include Quality Assurance Coordinators, Directors, and Officers from universities; academicians; university researchers; university administrators; executives, directors, and secretaries of national accreditation agencies; regional higher education agencies and experts; policy makers; industry players; professional bodies; students and student unions; and other higher education stakeholders.

The Chief Guest, Hon. John Chrysestom Muyingo, Minister of State for Higher Education, is represented by Hon. James Kubetekerya, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports.

Other key figures who will grace this conference include Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Executive Secretary, Inter-University Council for East Africa; Prof. Mary J. N. Okwakol, Executive Director, National Council for Higher Education, Uganda; and Prof. Paul Muoki Nzioki, President, East Africa Higher Education Quality Assurance Network.

Dr. Sylvia Ruschin, Head of Department at Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, Germany, will deliver a keynote presentation, and Dr. Vincent Ssembatya, Director of QA and Accreditation, NCHE Uganda, will also deliver a keynote address titled: “Enhancing East Africa Regional Integration through Harmonization and Strengthening of Higher Education Internal and External Quality Assurance Systems.”.