The ACQF ‘Concept of Capacity Development Programme’ (CDP) specifies the main features of the component ‘support to countries’
Cooperation with Regions & Countries
In line with its wider objectives, the ACQF works in cooperation and complementarity with AU countries and offers commensurate support to national entities in charge of the NQF (on demand).
The first African Round Table of experts and ministers of TVET, organised in Kinshasa (10-14 Nov 2023) upon initiative of the Democratic Republic of Congo and supported by the African Union Commission formulated and validated Recommendations and the proposal for the African Qualifications Network. Africa, a diverse and vibrant continent, has seen a significant shift in its socio-economic dynamics. The necessity to develop skills, harmonize qualifications and professional training across countries and regions has become paramount. Reskilling, upskilling, and quality initial education for all is indispensable for the imperatives of the green and digital transition, and sustainable growth. The benefits of mutual learning between countries and regions are recognised and the Network can contribute to stimulate collaborations and synergy for common goals across the continent.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and ACQF cooperate on the SADCQF and NQFs in the region. Implementation of the SADC Qualifications Framework started in 2016, and in 2021 SADC Secretariat and with expertise of the European Training Foundation (ETF), conducted a study to review the status of implementation and identify areas for further improvement of the SADCQF. This study was part of the research activities of the Project “Developing the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF-I”. The findings of the study were discussed at two TCCA meetings (November 2021 and April 2022) and presented to the annual Joint Ministerial meeting (Education and Training, Science Technology and Innovation) held in Malawi in June 2022. A Special TCCA meeting (11-12 May 2023) discusses the priorities and develops the new Roadmap for SADCQF (2023-2026). The new roadmap was validated by the Joint Meeting of ESTI Ministers (June 2023).
IGAD took deciding steps to develop the Regional Qualifications Framework and approve it. ACQF project contributed at 3 milestones: 1) May 2022: knowledge-sharing on overarching referencing qualifications frameworks, focused on the implementation experiences of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), and review of implementation of the SADC Qualifications Framework (SADCQF); 2) Capacity development of representatives of all 8 IGAD member states, at the 2nd ACQF Training Week (5-9/Sept 2022, Johannesburg); 3) October 2022: key note and sharing on ACQF development process. View and download some of the presentations.
The ACQF project and Guiné-Bissau have started cooperation towards development of the National Qualifications Framework. The 1st NQF workshop in Guiné-Bissau was successfully conducted on 5-6 July 2022, under the auspices of the Minister of Education, who officially opened the event and recalled the importance of the NQF to support the wider education and training reforms. This workshop counted on active participation of over 30 representatives of all key government agencies and departments, the Chamber of Commerce, EU Delegation, UNICEF and was co-organised by ACQF and the project RESET. The outputs of the workshop include the roadmap for NQF development and the essential inputs to draft the foundations of the NQF concept document. ACQF experts contribute to the ongoing national effort to reinforce the TVET system, supported by RESET, the European Union-supported project implemented by ENABEL. This partnership with a national reform programme, the national stakeholders and international cooperation partners proves the advantages of synergy and complementarity, and will ensure that the future NQF will be embedded in the wider education and training system. View and download the main outputs of ACQF expertise to this cooperation on the starting elements and dialogue towards the NQF: the baseline mapping report, the handbook and presentations for the workshop in Bissau, and finally the brief handbook on development of professional qualifications. Representatives of national institutions participated in the two ACQF Training Weeks (2022), and assiduously in the ACQF Peer Learning Webinars (2020-2022).
Mozambique is advancing towards approval of the new integrated and comprehensive NQF, based on a participative approach which includes all key institutions involved in policy making and implementation in the education and training sector, employment and labour market policies, and different education providers. In this context development of capacities among stakeholders is essential. To refresh knowledge and understanding on national qualifications and the NQF, the National Council for Quality Evaluation of Higher Education (CNAQ) implements a programme of monthly capacity building and debate webinars with the stakeholders, with regular contributions of the ACQF project. Mutual learning contributes to mutual trust.
The Higher Education Commission of Mauritius (HEC) and the project “Developing the African Continental Qualifications Framework” (ACQF) discussed and agreed the scope and objectives of a first cooperation activity related with development of the future National Credit Value and Transfer System (NCVTS). The main focus of this cooperation is the Concept note and roadmap to support and guide the development of the NCVTS. This Concept note can be used as a basis for planning of activity and policy development, and to nurture stakeholders dialogue, under the coordination of the relevant ministry. HEC and the ACQF project co-organised two stakeholders' consultation webinars (7 and 14/Nov 2022), chaired by the Higher Education Commissioner of Mauritius. Besides higher education institutions, the webinars counted on the participation of the Mauritius Qualifications Authority and a representative of SADC Secretariat coordinating the TCCA of SADC Qualifications Framework (SADCQF). You can view and download ACQF expert's presentation to the two webinars. The final version of the Concept Note and Roadmap developed by ACQF will be published shortly.