Call for Applications for the training course – ‘Developing a Common Understanding for Quality Assurance in Africa’

Read this in: French

The Harmonisation of African Higher Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation Initiative – ‘HAQAA Initiative’ – is proud to herewith announce a training course on Quality Assurance in Higher Education, targeting representatives from ministries, higher education commissions or accreditation agencies of all African countries.

More information on the HAQAA Initiative and the policy background can be found at: https://www.aau.org/haqaa/

Course Target Group – Who Can Apply?

The training is open to participants from all African countries. Participants should come from ministries, higher education commissions or accreditation agencies. The selection process will take into account regional-national representation and a gender balance, following the aim of strengthening an overall understanding of QA in Pan-Africa. It is desirable, that all African countries are represented in the course. In the first phase of the course, one English speaking and one French speaking study visit will be conducted. Coaching will also be offered in both English and French via the online platform. Applicants from Arabic, Hispanic or Portuguese speaking countries are free to select to which track of the course they would like to apply, according to their language capacities.

Time Schedule

Application deadline 20th June 2016
10. – 14.10.2016 Study visit in Europe Francophone training course
28.11. – 02.12.2016 Study visit in Europe Anglophone training course
From November/December 2016 on Self-learning and investigation phase Both courses
July/August 2017 Joint Workshop in Africa Both courses

How to apply for the Quality Assurance Course

Applications for the course have to be submitted online via this platform (www.aau.org/apphaqaa).

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

  • They should be officially endorsed by the Minister responsible for Higher Education;
  • They should come from ministries, Higher Education Commissions or Quality Assurance Agencies and they should have a clear responsibility for Quality Assurance (regulation, accreditation etc.) regarding higher education institutions;
  • They should hold a senior–level position within the Ministry/HE Commission/QA Agency;
  • They should have the capacity to spread their knowledge within their institution and beyond;
  • They need to be fluent in English or French, both written and spoken.
  • They need to be available to attend all parts of the course (to be confirmed by the employer in the commitment letter)
  • They need to demonstrate convincingly their motivation for the course and their interest in Pan-African activities (motivation letter)

Application and Selection Procedure

Please complete your application online on or before June 20th, 2016 via this link: www.aau.org/apphaqaa

In order to be considered applicants must do the following:

  1. Complete the Main Application form online
  2. Upload your curriculum vitae as part of your online application
  3. Download the template for the Letter of motivation complete and upload it as part of your online application (1-2 pages);
  4. Download the template for the Letter of commitment from your employer and upload it as part of your online application
  5. Obtain a Letter of Endorsement from your Minister and upload it as part of your online application

All applicants will be informed about the result of the selection process approximately at the end of July 2016. The invitation letters will be sent out immediately in order to allow time for visa processing.

Funding of the Training

The Training Course on – Developing a Common Understanding for Quality Assurance in Africa is supported through funds of the EC, via the HAQAA Initiative. The following expenses will be covered

  • International travel costs: Flight to and from Europe and ground travel in Europe, according to the programme of the course phase 1. Flight to and from the African Country for training course phase 3. Only economy-class flights or economy-class equivalents can be purchased.
  • Accommodation, breakfast, catering and joint meals during both ‘presence’ phases (Europe and Africa)
  • Emergency health insurance during the ‘presence’ phase in Europe

Due to the financial support of the EC, there are no course fees; however the participating institutions are expected to cover their additional expenses as specified below.

Expected co-funding from the participating ministries and QA bodies:

  • National transportation costs, i.e. from the participants’ place of residence to the airport and back.
  • Visa costs, if applicable.

Please note that the organisers do not pay out any per diems in addition to the expenses which are already covered (breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks and joint dinners). 

Main expected learning outcomes of the course:

  • The participants have a common understanding of the meaning of quality regarding higher education. They can differentiate between institutional quality assurance ‘culture’ and processes and external quality and assurance and accreditation, and understand the important interplay between the two.
  • The participants know the QA framework of the European Higher Education Area and are aware of the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders within the European system. The interaction between national authorities, higher education institutions, independent QA agencies, students and other stakeholders is studied and analysed.
  • Participants can cite good and diverse practices regarding how QA and accreditation can be facilitated at different levels (institutional, national, regional, continental), and how these levels interact towards building a common higher education space.
  • Participants have identified main challenges for QA in their national/regional QA system and have worked on options for improving their existing QA system.
  • Participants know the current QA situation in the five African regions and well as common challenges and demands
  • Needs for harmonised African higher education spaces (from an EQA-perspective) are identified and ways for disseminating the findings in the political process are proposed.

Contact Information

Questions regarding the course should be addressed to Gudrun Chazotte (DAAD) via the address HAQAA@daad.de.

Questions regarding the online application platform should be addressed to Mr Papa-Yaw Mireku-Odei on pymireku@aau.org from AAU.

Full Call for Applications for the training course

Comments 12

  1. In the blink of an eye, however, lives can be changed, based upon decisions made, whether
    good or bad. Basically a man who know the value of education and hee
    learn the education mean and understand the education so this man is very success full in life.

    Finally, remember that tutooring is about more than simply the subject matter.

    1. Good morning Sir, just to know if an administrative staff can apply. I’m a chief of service in charge of social action in the Higher Teachers’ Training College of the University of Maroua (far North Region Cameroon). I’m sometimes involved in Quality Assurance issues. that service is in charged of all non academic difficulties faced by a student or any other member of the academic community. I ‘m a support staff; In our context, we are employed for administrative matters. So I would like to know if my application can be considered. Thanks. Yours faithfully.

      1. Watch out on the AAU website for upcoming QA training workshops for QA personnel. Visit the HAQAA Initiative website under resources to get materials on QA in Higher Education.

  2. I wanted to edit the CV and experience part, but i am failing to , the cells are in active, please help me. Asega P Bosco, Muni University , help me via my email

  3. Dear sirs,

    My name`s Arnaldo Pinto Moreira. I`m from Mozambique. I work for the National Council for Quality Assurance and Accrediatation. I`ve just received the Letter of Endorsement from the Minister. However the Call is closed. Even though the deadline is still today. Is there another possibility of submitting my application forms at least to be in your database for the next opportunity?
    I`m really interested in the course due to it`s content. It would really play an important role in enhencing my knowledge in QA and contribute, this way for my job in the agency.
    Best Regards,

    Arnaldo Moreira.

  4. J’ai raté mon inscription, parce qu’il manquait les trois derniers documents que j’ai renvoyé par mail, mais je ne sais si c’est valable ou non. Je pourrais vos prier de m’aider?

  5. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and
    visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
    Great work!

Leave a Reply