Strategic Harmonization of Higher Education Systems in Africa: The Dominance of Cross-State Organizations, Government Treaties and International Conferences in Higher Education Accreditation and Quality Assurance

Abstract

Quality of higher education and the need for effective quality assurance systems beyond those of institutions and nations themselves are becoming precedence themes in international strategies for higher education in African continent. Although the concepts of ‘Quality and Accreditation’ in higher education being multi-faceted, African countries are increasingly promoting them with the notion of having comparable academic standards and qualifications that can ultimately facilitate mobility of students, professional, informational and intellectual resources across countries. This paper attempts to review and give a brief account of the cross-state organizations, government treaties and conferences in higher education accreditation and Quality Assurance movements in Africa. The introductory part briefs the concept of quality in higher education and the international trend towards harmonization of higher education that require harmonized quality assurance and accreditation systems. The second part is dedicated to give an account of the notable multi-national quality assurance and accreditation organizations, treaties and international conferences that have been in place hitherto. Lastly, the paper winds up the account by discussion and conclusive remarks.

Keywords: Accreditation, quality assurance, Higher education, harmonization