EAC Universities Pledge to Boost Quality and Collaboration in Higher Education

09, Mar-2026 Mugisha R. John

Universities and higher education institutions across the East African Community (EAC) have committed to working together to improve the quality of education, foster research collaboration, and ease access to scholarships for students from member countries.

The pledge was made during a March 9, 2026, meeting that brought together university leaders, government officials, and students to discuss strategies for enhancing higher education in the region. The event was organized by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the EAC agency tasked with promoting knowledge and research among member universities.

IUCEA Secretary General Prof. Idris A. Rai said EAC universities share many common strengths that could be maximized through collaboration.

“We want the EAC to be a space where students, lecturers, and researchers freely share knowledge. Joint university initiatives can create sustainable systems that improve employment opportunities across member states,” Rai said.

Rwanda’s State Minister of Education, Irere Claudette, emphasized the need for universities to align curricula with rapid global changes and labor market demands.

Dr. Edward Kadozi, CEO of Rwanda’s Higher Education Council, highlighted the critical role of universities in national development. “We value knowledge and the programs universities offer, and our governance encourages collaboration, student exchanges, and joint research,” he said.

Rwanda has 38 universities, including four public institutions. The University of Rwanda alone graduates over 9,000 students annually. PhD graduates in the region have risen sharply, from 19 in 2018 to 90 in 2024, reflecting growing research output.