Vice Chancellors from universities across East Africa, alongside higher education stakeholders, are meeting in Nairobi to push for the joint recognition of degrees from institutions within the region. The move seeks to eliminate barriers faced by students when advancing their education across borders.
The meeting, attended by university heads from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan, aims to harmonize accreditation policies and promote the internationalization of East African universities. The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) is spearheading efforts to increase student and faculty mobility while ensuring that academic qualifications are recognized uniformly across member states.
A key agenda item in the Nairobi discussions is the ratification of an East African Community (EAC) Fees Structure model that will allow students to pay tuition in local currencies rather than US dollars. This is expected to make higher education more accessible and affordable for students in the region.
IUCEA Executive Director Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona emphasized that the initiative is crucial for enhancing the global competitiveness of East African universities. “How do we ensure high standards while achieving these goals?” he posed, stressing the importance of quality assurance in higher education.
The council has already developed frameworks such as the East African Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, standards for postgraduate studies, and guidelines for mainstreaming EAC integration into university curricula. Additionally, universities are being encouraged to participate in student mobility and scholarship programs to foster cultural exchange and collaborative research.
Kenya’s Ministry of Education, represented by Secretary Administration Fredrick Ndambuki, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the initiative, which was initially championed by President William Ruto when he served as deputy president.
Prof. Mike Kuria, CEO of the Commission on University Education, highlighted the importance of pooling resources and fostering research collaborations. He called on universities to leverage EAC scholarship schemes to attract international students and strengthen academic networks.
With the declaration of the EAC as a common higher education area dating back to 2017, stakeholders believe that harmonized accreditation policies will enhance the region’s academic reputation while promoting deeper regional integration.
