SAQAN is a non-profit voluntary member-based organisation of National Higher Education Quality Assurance Bodies and higher education institutions from Southern Africa. The main aims of SAQAN are to promote quality in higher education, foster harmonisation of quality assurance systems in the region and beyond; and facilitate international recognition of higher education qualifications from Southern Africa to enhance mobility of staff and students.

The key functions of SAQAN are to promote the creation of effective and efficient quality assurance and accreditation mechanisms in higher education within Southern Africa; support the development of quality assurance through capacity building, seminars, workshops and conferences; disseminate information through newsletters, journals, books and other documents, in print and electronic forms; participate and collaborate in continental and international training and research programmes within Southern Africa; mobilise resources to sustain the Network’s projects and programmes; and develop and maintain a database of quality assurance bodies and experts.