Experts to Validate Report of Study On Equivalence of Certificates in ECOWAS Region

26 July 2011
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Economic Community of West African States (Abuja)
press release

Abuja — A technical group of experts will meet in Lome, Togo, from 3rd to 6th August 2011 to validate the report of a feasibility study on the Equivalence of Certificates in West Africa. In 2003, the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government adopted the Convention on Equivalence of Certificates intended to harmonize the criteria for admission into institutions of higher learning, research institutes and vocational training centres; certificates and the educational and training systems in the 15 Member States of the Community.

Consequently, the Authority constituted an ad-hoc Committee of five Member States (Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal), as well as ex- officio members as strategic partners to provide necessary guidance towards the implementation of the Convention. These include the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES), the Association of African Universities (AAU), the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), among others. In line with the 2006 recommendations of the ad-hoc Committee, the ECOWAS Commission engaged two consultants in 2009 to conduct a feasibility study for the implementation of the Convention. The report of the consultants, which was considered by the ad-hoc Committee at its meeting in Cotonou, Benin Republic in September 2010, highlighted the list of tertiary institutions in the region as well as the courses offered and certificates issued. The report also indicated the requirements for admission and certification of various courses and made recommendations for harmonization of education systems in the region.

Based on the report of the consultants, the ad-hoc Committee also developed a broad time-lined Action Plan for the implementation of the ECOWAS Convention on Equivalence of Certificates, as a move towards strengthening comprehension and cooperation among the peoples of the region as a means of realizing the Community's common aspirations to solidarity and greater fraternity. The objective of the forthcoming Lome meeting is to validate the report of the consultants and make necessary recommendations based on inputs from experts in the evaluation and accreditation of academic programmes and certificates. The meeting is also expected to develop modalities for implementation of the recommendations of the consultants and the meeting of the ad-hoc Committee; create awareness and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas in order to secure a buy-in by a wide spectrum of stakeholders; and also consider the roadmap developed by the ad-hoc Committee for the implementation of the Convention. Ultimately, the Convention seeks to harmonize educational and training systems as a key factor in optimizing the benefits of the abundant socio-economic resources within the region.

Furthermore, the Convention would contribute to the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Protocols, Decisions, Regulations and Conventions on Free Movement, Common Investment Market, Residence and Establishment as well as trade and other human endeavours. The ECOWAS Commission is also convinced that recognition of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other qualifications and or their equivalence is a prerequisite for increased mobility of students, teachers and specialists and a means of accelerating all-round development and achieving regional integration.

Read the original article on Ecowas.

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