MEDIA ADVISORY

Developing the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) Inaugural workshop

WHAT: Developing the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) Inaugural workshop

WHEN: 2 - 4 September, 2019

WHERE: African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

WHO: The African Union, Human Resources Science and Technology (HRST) is Partnering with with the European Union (EU), GIZ and with European Training Foundation (ETF) to convene an Inaugural Workshop on Developing the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF)

• H.E. Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, The ACQF in the context of the African Union strategic objectives of Agenda 2063.

• Mrs. Anna Burylo, Deputy Head of Delegation, The ACQF in the context of AU-EU cooperation

• Dr. Beatrice Njenga - AUC HRST, Education Division

OBJECTIVES: The workshop will focus on the following specific objectives:

The ACQF, which the AU aspires to develop and support, will be a policy instrument contributing to:
• Enhance comparability, quality and transparency of qualifications from all sub-sectors of education and training;
• Facilitate recognition of diplomas and certificates;
• Facilitate portability of skills
• Promote an African education space, and support people’s learning outcomes acquired throughout life.

Background:

The initiative of the African Union (AU) to establish the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) is underpinned by Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, and the continental strategies in the domain of education, science and technology, and youth. Integrated Africa is a major transformational outcome of the Agenda 2063, and it encompasses, amongst others, free movement of persons, free trade, customs union, common transport market, but also an African common education space.

The African Union (AU) and its Member States have decided to equip the continent with the necessary conditions and mechanisms to facilitate mobility and transparency of skills and qualifications, in support of the AU Agenda 2063, through ongoing initiatives in harmonisation of education, development of common standards and quality frameworks, and the Addis Ababa Convention for mutual recognition of degrees and certificates. The African Continental Free Trade that requires recognition of academic qualifications.

Participants:
The workshop will gather approximately 100 participants representing:
• Relevant ministry officials of all AU Member States
• Representatives of relevant technical agencies from Member States
• Regional Economic Communities
• Regional agencies responsible for higher education
• UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF
• The ACQF Advisory Group
• The ACQF project management team (representatives of AUC-HRST, ETF, EU Delegation to AU and GIZ SIFA project management).
The draft programme and concept attached is attached:

For media inquiries contact:

Esther Azaa Tankou, Head of Information Division, +2519113611, e-mail yamboue@africaunion.org
Mr.Stephen Kwaku Darko| Information and Communications Officer, Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission | Tel: +251(0) 953406832 | E-mail: DarkoS@africa-union.org

For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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