The 3rd cohort training at the inter-university council for East Africa (Kampala)

1. Introduction

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) is a trategic institution of the East Africa Community (EAC) responsible for coordinating the development of human resources and reseach in EAC Higher Education institutions.By this broad mandate, IUCEA is required to establish a regional harmonized higher éducation system and facilitate maintenance of internationally comparable education standards in East Africa so as to promote the region’s competitiveness in higher education.

2. Purpose of the training

The purpose of this 3rd cohort training was to train expert programme assessors and reviewers and impart them with the requisite skills to undertake objective and credible review and assessment of programmes, facilities and staffing for the EAC regional programme accreditation.

The goal of this training programme was to produce a cadre of highly skilled and competent programme reviewers and assessors who could conduct rigorous, objective and effective programme evaluations and assessments at institutional, national and at regional level for the East Africa Community.

3. Specific objectives of the training

The objectives of the training were :

• To provide participants with an understanding of the regional Standards, Guidelines and Procedures for programme accreditation ;
• To equip participants with the knowledge and skills to conduct effective programme reviews and assessments using appropriate methodologies and tools ;
• To enhance participants’ability to objectively analyse and interpret data and information gathered during programme assessments ;
• To improve participants’ report writing and communication skills to effctively communicate review and assessment findings and recommendations to the key stakeholders.

4. Learning outcomes

At the end of the training programme, participants are able to :

• Explain the Standard, Guidelines and Procedures for EAC Programme accreditation ;
• Conduct effective and objective programme reviews and assessments using appropriate methodologies and tools ;
• Analyse and interpret data and information gathered during programme assessment process ;
• Write comprehensive and quality reports and communicate findings and recommendations effectively to key stakeholders.

5. Duration of Training

That training has been conducted on 2 days. The 2-days training was fucussed on ensuring that the reviewers and assessors are taken through the principles and best practices in international programme accreditation, the EAC Standards, Guidelines and Procedures for programme accreditation and the use of the programme assessment tool.

6. Methodology of training

The training was been conducted on a more participatory way involving andragogical principles in the training of professionals. The training has been both theoretical and practical in nature. Specifically, the training has adopted the following approaches :

• Presentations by facilitators on the Standards, Guidelines, Norms and Assessment Tools ;
• Sharing of experiences by both facilitators and participants who have been engaged in the process of international programme accreditation ;
• Brainstorming sessions and Group work to reflect deeply on the best practices in international programme accreditation.