Luanda — The secretary of State for Higher Education, Adão do Nascimento, Wednesday in Luanda appealed for a deep reflection on the evolution of the sector in the world since 1998.

Speaking on the premises of the Angola Technical University (UTANGA),Adão do Nascimento was closing of the celebrations of the November 12, African University Day, instituted in the 1960's.

According to the secretary of State for Higher Education, the general finding about the evolution of higher education is of extreme relevance as it is faced with new challenges, which requires a deep comprehension for an action at world, regional, national and institution level.

He announced that a regional conference on higher education in Africa is taking place in Dakar, Senegal, ahead of the world conference scheduled for July in Paris.

The Dakar conference, he added, is discussing such themes as "The regional context and the challenges of globalisation,", "The role of higher education in the construction of the knowledge society", "Scientific research and innovation", "Reform and revitalisation of higher education" and "Job and funding of higher education".

Adão do Nascimento stated that despite the diversity in the evolution of the national and institutional contexts, the matter of promotion of quality is the one that permits to maintain the role of higher education as a factor of development of the society.

He reiterated his call for the permanent mobilisation of all actors and partners for the promotion of the quality of the services provided by the country's education institutions.

According to him, this mobilisation is expected to help centralise actions in the adoption of a more evolved learning and more at the heights of development requirements.

The ceremony was attended by the deputy minister of Education, Narciso Santos, members of Government, university principals, academicians and other guests.

The African University Day was instituted with the purpose of boosting and modernising the training of Africans, aiming at securing the continents' sustainable development.

The purpose in the creation was mainly intended for the areas of peace, conflict resolution and good governance, eradication of poverty and creation of social wellbeing, including the fight against Hiv/Aids and other endemics.