Inter-University Council for East Africa

19/08/2026

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), in collaboration with the East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Network (EAQAN) and the Higher Education Council (HEC), Rwanda, will convene the 15th Annual East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Forum, scheduled to take place from 7th to 10th September 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, under the theme “Transforming Quality Assurance for Future-Ready Higher Education Systems in East Africa.”

The Forum will focus on transforming quality assurance systems in East Africa through the strategic application of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI), strengthening efficient, transparent, evidence-based and data-driven quality assurance frameworks.

It will also advance discussions on micro-credentials and alternative learning pathways, lifelong learning, recognition of qualifications, academic mobility and regional integration.

The target participants for this forum include a diverse group of stakeholders in higher education. This encompasses University Quality Assurance Directors, Coordinators, and Officers; Academicians and Researchers; University Administrators; Chief Executive Officers and Secretaries of National Accreditation Agencies; as well as Regional Higher Education Agencies and Experts.

Additionally, the forum aims to engage Policymakers, Industry Representatives, Professional Associations, Students and Student Unions, along with other key stakeholders in the higher education sector.

16/08/2026

EAC-Scholarships-Call for Applications

🎓 YOUR FUTURE COULD START WITH ONE APPLICATION!

Are you an ambitious East African student ready to learn, grow, lead, and make an impact?

This could be your opportunity to access quality education, expand your horizons, and turn your dreams into reality.

Don’t just dream about your future, apply now!

Learn, Lead, Connect, and Transform. Your next chapter could begin today. Don’t miss the opportunity!

Get more details here https://iucea.org/two-year-funded-masters-scholarships-for-cohort-4/

12/08/2026

A high-level AI Roundtable was convened at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha on 11 August 2026, bringing together representatives from the EAC Secretariat, the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Foreign Office, the German Embassy, development partners, academia and the private sector, including Equity Group Holdings, Nokia, Bayer, Cassava Technologies and Zindi.

In his statement, Professor Idris A Rai, Acting Executive Secretary of IUCEA, emphasised that universities are central to shaping an AI ecosystem that reflects East Africa’s needs, values and development priorities, an ecosystem in which East Africans are not only users of technology, but also creators of technology, knowledge and innovative solutions.

He highlighted IUCEA’s commitment to advancing the development of a Foundational AI Module for university students, strengthening the capacity of university trainers and faculty members, pursuing AI-related micro-credentials for faculty, and actualising the establishment of a Regional AI Network of Universities to connect institutions, researchers, trainers and innovators with complementary expertise across the region.

Following the Roundtable, the second edition of the AI4EAC Innovation Challenge was launched, with USD 50,000 in prize funding to support winning teams developing AI-powered solutions to address regional challenges.
The Roundtable and Innovation Challenge reaffirm East Africa’s commitment to harnessing artificial intelligence as a driver of innovation, skills development and sustainable regional transformation.

11/08/2026

CALL FOR PAPERS | 2nd EACARNRI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

The East African Community Academic and Research Network for Regional Integration (EACARNRI) invites academics, researchers, scholars, and practitioners to submit papers for the 2nd EACARNRI International Conference.

This conference provides a dynamic platform for researchers across East Africa and beyond to share evidence, exchange ideas, generate knowledge, and shape policy that advances the region’s integration agenda.

The East African Community Academic and Research Network for Regional Integration (EACARNRI) was launched on 23 June 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda, through the efforts of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence (JMCE).

04/08/2026

On 3 August 2026, the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC), and the University of Pittsburgh held a consultative meeting in Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania, to explore strategic partnership opportunities with universities across East Africa in the fields of Kiswahili and African Studies.

The discussions focused on fostering collaboration through student and staff mobility, joint research in language technologies, academic exchange, and the dissemination of research and knowledge. The meeting underscored the three institutions' shared commitment to advancing Kiswahili scholarship, strengthening African Studies, and promoting regional and international academic cooperation.

The meeting concluded with a resolution to formalise the partnership through an institutional framework that will support long-term, sustainable collaboration and contribute to the internationalisation of higher education and research in the East African Community.

02/08/2026

During the 17th IUCEA Annual Meeting and Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, the Meeting of Heads of Member Universities of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) elected Prof. Mathieu Kirongozi Bometa, Rector of the Université de Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as the Chairperson of the IUCEA Executive Committee for the 2026–2028 term.

His election reflects the confidence of the Heads of Member Universities in his leadership and vision to strengthen regional cooperation, promote academic excellence, advance research and innovation, and further the harmonisation of higher education across the East African Community.

The IUCEA Secretariat congratulates Prof. Bometa on his election and looks forward to working closely with him to advance the Council's strategic priorities and deepen collaboration among member universities during his tenure.

02/08/2026

Ben RUHINDA, Senior Systems Officer at the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), chaired a session titled "Collaboration for Digital Transformation and AI-Enabled Higher Education Systems" at the recent IUCEA conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

The discussion brought together an outstanding panel of experts who shared invaluable perspectives on the future of AI-enabled higher education. Dr Minu Ipe, Vice Chair and Managing Director of the University Design Institute at Arizona State University, delivered a thought-provoking keynote titled "Whole-University Digital Transformation and AI: Lessons from Partnering with African Universities to Build Inclusive, Resilient Higher Education Systems."

Dr. Salome Guchu, Head of Research and Innovation at IUCEA, highlighted the Council's remarkable progress in advancing artificial intelligence education, research, and innovation across the East African Community.

Mr. Zian Cao, Chief of the IIOE Management Centre at UNESCO-ICHEI, demonstrated how international partnerships are strengthening the capacity of academics to effectively apply AI in teaching, learning, and research.

Equally insightful were contributions from Dale P. Johnson, Senior Director for Digital Innovation at the University Design Institute, Arizona State University, who explored the importance of shared digital infrastructure and cross-border platforms for delivering quality education, and Dr. Pauline Essah, PhD, CEO of Education Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), who emphasised the transformative role of AI in teaching, learning, research, and institutional management.

Lorna Juma-Keter, Oracle Academy Program Manager for Africa, enriched the conversation by leading a practical discussion on "From AI Adoption to Institutional Readiness: Building Future-Ready Higher Education through Educator Enablement and Industry Collaboration."

The session reinforced three important messages. First, digital transformation and AI adoption are institution-wide leadership and governance priorities rather than technology procurement exercises.

01/08/2026

Strengthening Global Partnerships for the Future of Higher Education.

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) continued to expand its global partnerships during the 17th IUCEA Annual Meeting and Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, with the signing of two strategic Memorandum of Understanding by Prof. Idris A Rai, Acting Executive Secretary of IUCEA.

The first agreement, signed with Kyungdong University Global (KDU Global), Republic of Korea, reinforces collaboration in scholarship opportunities, academic mobility, student exchange, and institutional partnerships, creating greater access to quality higher education and international learning opportunities for students across the East African Community.

The second MoU, signed with CTS Christian Television System (CTS), Republic of Korea, establishes a framework for cooperation in digital transformation, media and digital education, Korean language and cultural programmes, research collaboration, staff and student mobility, and the development of innovative learning infrastructure to strengthen higher education across the region.

These partnerships reaffirm IUCEA's commitment to advancing internationalisation, expanding global academic networks, and building a more connected, innovative, and globally competitive East African higher education system.