UNESCO, in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE), will hold a two-day workshop in Harare from October 16 to 17, 2024, aimed at strengthening quality assurance in higher education. This initiative is part of a capacity-building program designed to enhance both internal and external quality assurance practices at educational institutions while addressing emerging trends such as digital transformation.
The workshop will cover essential topics, including the foundations of quality assurance, national and international frameworks, assessment methods, and curriculum design. Participants will engage in lectures, discussions, and group activities to improve their understanding and skills in implementing effective quality assurance measures in their institutions.
Quality assurance is crucial for maintaining academic standards and supporting sustainable socio-economic development in the region. Despite advancements in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), challenges such as limited institutional capacity and inconsistent quality assurance practices highlight the need for targeted capacity-building efforts.
This workshop is part of UNESCO's Campus Africa Flagship Programme, aligning with the organization's Operational Strategy for Priority Africa. Following the pilot workshop in Zimbabwe, similar initiatives will be rolled out across SADC countries to foster regional collaboration and improve educational quality.
The event will bring 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. Prominent speakers will include officials from various ministries and international quality assurance organizations.
This capacity-building series demonstrates UNESCO's ongoing commitment to enhancing quality assurance practices, facilitating networking, and implementing normative frameworks aimed at improving higher education across the region. Through fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the initiative aims to build a robust and quality-assured higher education system that contributes to innovative and knowledge-based societies in the SADC region.
