Editorial

Dear Reader

Compliments of the Season!

I am pleased to launch the first issue of the 2006 Harare Cluster Newsletter which focuses on an international conference on higher education that Harare Cluster is organizing in February 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya in collaboration with the two UNESCO regional offices in Africa, the UNESCO division of higher education and the National Universities Commission of Nigeria. The conference will help to take stock of existing and emerging initiatives that are being used in order to effectively address the issues of accreditation of institutions and programmes, quality assurance and recognition of higher qualifications, brain gain and the use of the diaspora in strengthening quality assurance mechanisms.

The conference will also help to map out strategies needed in order to ensure an effective implementation of the Arusha regional convention for recognition of higher education in Africa and to take up adequately the challenge of a massive increase in the demand for higher education in Africa in the context of globalization.

As one of the immediate follow up to this conference, UNESCO Harare Cluster Office and the National Universities Commission of Nigeria will develop an online training module for capacity building in Accreditation, Quality Assurance and Recognition of qualifications to be offered through the Virtual Institute for Higher Education in Africa: www.viheaf.net. The module will also cover issues of brain gain and the use of the diaspora in strengthening quality assurance mechanisms

I am also pleased to advertise a P3 post for a Programme Manager for HIV/AIDS in Higher and Tertiary Education. Please note that the deadline for submission of applications is 31st January 2006.

In 2006, Harare Cluster office will publish three specialized electronic newsletters on the following themes: Gender and women in the Great lakes region; Sustainable management and development of arid and semi arid lands of Southern Africa (SIMDAS); HIV/AIDS Issues with special focus on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.

For more information on the content of this newsletter, please contact: f.manenji@unesco.org.

Juma Shabani
Director and Representative
UNESCO Harare Cluster Office

Harare Cluster Office convenes an International Conference on Higher Education in Nairobi, Kenya: 6-8 February 2006

The Harare Cluster Office is organising an International Conference on Higher Education from 6-8 February 2006 at the Hilton Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. The conference aims at addressing the following issues:

• Accreditation;

• Quality Assurance;

• Recognition of Qualifications;

• Brain Gain; and

• the Use of the Diaspora with Special Emphasis on Africa.

Context and Rationale

The impact of globalization on higher which is characterized by several phenomena, in particular, the increasing and new forms of cross-border provision of higher education and the prospective liberalization of trade in educational services through the General Agreement on Trade in services (GATS) established under the World trade organization (WTO), calls for the need to revisit existing mechanisms and develop new initiatives likely to enhance quality provision of higher education at all levels by further strengthening quality assurance, accreditation and recognition of qualifications schemes that already exist at national and regional levels. These initiatives should be seen as complementary to, but separate from the ongoing process of revision of the UNESCO regional conventions on recognition of qualifications.

Since the World conference on higher education (WCHE) held in 1998 in Paris, several initiatives have been undertaken in order to address the issue of accreditation, quality assurance and recognition of qualifications mainly for the purpose of widening access to quality higher education in the context of globalization. These include capacity building initiatives through the establishment of the UNESCO Global Forum on International Quality Assurance, Accreditation and the Recognition of Qualifications, the development of UNESCO/OECD guidelines on “Quality provision in Cross-Border Higher Education” and the revision of the regional conventions on recognition of qualifications.

Regarding access to quality higher education, it is now agreed that there is need to ensure enrollment rates of 40 to 50% of the relevant population group in order to enable a country to perform effectively in a competitive world. While several developed countries have already achieved this percentage, in most developing countries, in particular in sub-Saharan Africa the enrollment rates are lower than 5%. Therefore, the need for a massive increase in the demand for higher education in Africa requires the existence of effective mechanisms for accreditation, quality assurance and the recognition of qualification.

The conference will also address issues of Brain drain and brain gain and the Use of the Diaspora in existing and emerging quality assurance mechanisms.

Organizers

The Conference is jointly organized by UNESCO Harare Cluster Office, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Africa (BREDA), UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Technology in Africa (ROSTA), Division of Higher education UNESCO Paris and the National Universities Commission (NUC) of Nigeria.

Objectives

The objectives of the conference include the following:

• To take stock of international, regional and national experiences in order to inform development of effective mechanisms for accreditation of institutions and programmes, quality assurance and recognition of higher education qualification in Africa;

• To promote the use of the UNESCO/OECD guidelines in Africa;

• To take stock of progress made in the process of revision of the regional conventions on recognition of qualifications;

• To review existing global and regional initiatives for capacity building in quality assurance, including those offered through cross-border higher education; and

• To map out the way forward regarding strengthening of mechanisms for accreditation, quality assurance and recognition of qualifications in Africa

Date and Venue: 6-8 February 2006, Hilton Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya
 

Expected Results

Expected results at the end of the conference include the following:

• High quality papers on accreditation, quality assurance, recognition of qualifications, brain gain and the use of the diaspora;

• Final communiqué and final report of the conference;

• Development of regional and international networks and databases to facilitate cooperation in areas of accreditation, quality assurance, recognition of qualifications, brain gain and the use of the diaspora in quality assurance mechanisms; and

• African policy-makers and higher education institutions fully aware of challenges and opportunities of accreditation, quality assurance and recognition of qualifications, brain gain and the use of the diaspora in the context of globalization.

Immediate Follow up Actions

• The main organizers of the conference will publish a book on current challenges and future opportunities on issues of accreditation, quality assurance, recognition of qualifications, brain gain and the use of the diaspora with a special emphasis on Africa.

• UNESCO Harare Cluster Office and the National Universities Commission of Nigeria will develop an online training module for capacity building in Accreditation, Quality Assurance and Recognition of qualifications to be offered through the Virtual Institute for Higher Education in Africa: www.viheaf.net. The module will also cover issues of brain gain and the use of the diaspora in quality assurance mechanisms.

Draft Programme
 

SHORTCUT LINKS

Harare Cluster Office convenes an International Conference on Higher Education in Nairobi, Kenya: 6-8 February 2006

Job Opportunities at the Harare Cluster Office

Forthcoming Activities

• Team Building Workshop: 18-20 January 2005, Harare - Zimbabwe

• National Training workshop on the Use of ICTs in Higher Education & Launch of Zimbabwe National Virtual Library.

• International Conference on "Reclaiming National and Cultural Heritage in Higher Education".

• National consultative meeting on the Integration of Education for Sustainable Development Perspectives (ESP) into National Policies.

• National Stakeholders consultative meeting on HIV/Aids Prevention Education.

• Advocay Campaigns on EFA.

• Meeting on National Heritage Museum Policy and Strategy for Malawi.

• National ESD Consultative Meeting

• Increasing public awareness of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press as basic human rights worldwide: 3rd May 2006.

• WGES/NESIS Workshop on Vision and Mission.

Job Opportunities in UNESCO

END OF LINKS

Participants to the International Conference to be held in Nairobi in February 2006.

As of 7th January 2006, the preliminary list of confirmed participants includes 60 participants representing the following institutions:

1. Association of African Universities

2. African Virtual University

3. Agence universitaire de la francophonie

4. Commonwealth of Learning

5. State University of Haiti

6. Hewlett Packard

7. European Foundation for Quality in E-learning

8. The International Organization for Migrations

9. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

10. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

11. Commission for Higher Education, Kenya

12. Public Universities Inspection Board, Kenya

13. Kenya National Commission for UNESCO

14. University of Nairobi, Kenya

15. East African Institute of Architects

16. Macau Government

17. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands

18. National Universities Commission, Nigeria

19. The National Open University of Nigeria

20. The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education

21. The Rockefeller Foundation

22. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Technical committee on Accreditation and Certification

23. The African Regional Committee in Charge of Follow up to the 1998 World Conference in Higher Education

24. Ministry of Higher Education, Sudan

25. The Regional Committee in Charge of Application of the Regional Convention for Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications in the Arab States

26. The Regional Committee in Charge of Application of the Regional Convention for Recognition of Qualifications in Africa

27. The Regional Committee in Charge of Application of the Regional Convention for Recognition of Qualifications in the Mediterranean States

28. The Regional Committee in Charge of Application of the Regional Convention for Recognition of Qualifications in Asia and Pacific

29. The Open University of Tanzania

30. Higher Education Accreditation Council of Tanzania

31. Uganda National Council for Higher Education

32. Suffolk University, Dakar Campus

33. National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates, USA

34. World Federation for Medical Education

35. Ministry of Higher Education, Zimbabwe

36. National Council for Higher Education, Zimbabwe

37. The World Bank

38. UNESCO Harare Cluster Office

39. UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Technology in Africa (ROSTA)

40. UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Africa (BREDA)

41. UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA)

42. UNESCO Division of Higher Education, Paris

43. UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Technology in Europe (ROSTE)

44. UNESCO Regional Office for Education in Asia and Pacific.   Top

Job Opportunities at the Harare Cluster Office

Thanks to a Grant received from the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland acting through the Department for International Development (DFID) to support a programme on “Strengthening the Zimbabwe HIV and AIDS Response”, UNESCO Harare Cluster Office is pleased to advertise a Programme specialist post in HIV/AIDS at a P3 level under an ALD (activities of Limited Duration) contract for a duration of 2years staring from 15 February 2006.

Title of the Post: Programme Manager for HIV/AIDS in Higher and Tertiary Education

Duty Station: UNESCO Harare Cluster Office, Zimbabwe

Duration of appointment and Level: 2 Years at P3 level on ALD (Activities of Limited Duration) Contract

Purpose of the Post:

To strengthen UNESCO’s capacity in supporting HIV/AIDS programmes for Higher and Tertiary Education as part of the Joint United Nations Proposal for Fast Track Funding for a Strengthened HIV/AIDS Response in Zimbabwe

Major duties and responsibilities:

1. Provide technical support to the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education (MHTE), UN Agencies, NGOs and other partners at all levels in the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programmes for Higher and Tertiary Education.

2. Assess the priority technical requirements and provide technical support to the MHTE HIV/AIDS programmes and assist in the development, management, implementation and monitoring of the programmes. Organize and participate in the evaluation and periodic technical reviews of the HIV/AIDS programmes for Higher and Tertiary Education.

3. Develop and implement strategies for scaling up the coordination of HIV/AIDS programmes for Higher and Tertiary Education of MHTE, UN Agencies and other key partners.

4. Develop the capacities of coordinating structures, in particular the National AIDS Council (NAC) and MHTE and to ensure linkages between these structures and those for HIV/AIDS in general.

5. Represent UNESCO in key HIV/AIDS-related activities, including the HIV/AIDS Thematic Group, HIV/AIDS Technical Working Group, GFATM Country Coordinating Mechanism and ensure consistent feedback to other UNESCO sectors on the outcomes and outputs of these mechanisms and processes.

6. Maintain consistent contacts and partnerships with bilateral donors, UN Agencies, and other development partners on HIV/AIDS-related matters.

7. Support the collection (including through operational research) of lessons learnt and best practices that enhance effectiveness of HIV/AIDS programmes for Higher and Tertiary Education. Disseminate them to stakeholders, and advocate, mobilise and convene partners for large scale response to the challenge of HIV/AIDS.

Qualifications and competencies:

• Advanced University Degree in Education, Social Science or related field.

• Five years of progressively responsible professional working experience at national and international levels in programme planning, management, monitoring and evaluation, in a related field.

• Current knowledge of the latest development in the field of HIV/AIDS.

• Leadership and team working skills and ability to establish solid working relations in an international and multicultural environment, both within and outside UNESCO.

Conditions of employment

Conditions currently applicable within UNESCO for a P3 post

How to apply

Applications should be sent before 31st January 2005 by e-mail to Harare@unesco.org with copies to f.manenji@unesco.org and s.taongai@unesco.org or by courier service to:

Director and Representative,
UNESCO Harare Cluster office
8, Kenilworth Road
Newlands
Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel: 263-4-776 775-9/776114-5

Applications should cover at least the following issues:

• Higher Education Degrees

• Language Knowledge and ICTs

• Professional Experience

• Personal Skills

• Publications

• References.

Short-listed candidates shall be interviewed on 15 February 2006.  Top

Forthcoming Activities

• Team Building Workshop.
  A workshop on team building for UNESCO Harare office, to be facilitated by UNESCO Staff from HQ: 18-20 January 2005, Harare - Zimbabwe

• National Training workshop on the Use of ICTs in Higher Education & Launch of Zimbabwe National Virtual Library: February 2006, Harare - Zimbabwe.

• International Conference on the theme "Reclaiming National and Cultural Heritage in Higher Education: Situating Culture, the Humanities and Creative Arts in the Local Contexts": 17-19 January 2006, Great Zimbabwe Hotel - Masvingo.

• National consultative meeting on the Integration of Education for Sustainable Development Perspectives (ESP) into National Policies: February / March 2006, Harare - Zimbabwe.

• National Stakeholders consultative meeting on HIV/Aids Prevention Education: 26-27 January 2006, Harare - Zimbabwe.

• Advocay Campaigns on EFA: Advocacy, EFA stakeholders coordination and resources mobilization: February 2006 in Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

• Cluster Training Workshop on World Heritage Sites Management.
  A workshop aimed at strengthening the national capacities for managing and conserving World Heritage properties as well as strengthening the capacity of Cluster World Heritage Site managers: February 2006, Harare - Zimbabwe.

• Meeting on National Heritage Museum Policy and Strategy for Malawi.
  A stakeholders meeting whose objective is to enhance capacities for protection of movable cultural property and launch the Museum heritage policy and strategy for Malawi: March 2006.

• Cluster Training Workshop on developing Inventory mechanisms for Intangible Cultural Heritage
  A workshop aimed at developing capacities for establishing national inventories in member states and strengthening the capacity for Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory-making at Cluster level: Zambia, March 2006.

• National ESD Consultative Meeting
  Consultative meeting to discuss guidelines for the integration of ESD Perspectives into education policies and discussion of national ESD plans: Botswana, March 2006.

• World Press Freedom Day Cluster Celebrations.
  Increasing public awareness of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press as basic human rights worldwide: 3rd May 2006.

• WGES/NESIS Workshop on Vision and Mission.
  A three-day workshop to discuss the current vision and mission statement of NESIS in light of recent developments within the ADEA Working Group on Education Statistics: Johannesburg, South Africa, 2-3 February 2006.