First Announcement “7th SOUTHERN AFRICAN QUALITY ASSURANCE NETWORK (SAQAN) CONFERENCE”
Hosted by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE)
📍 Venue: Rainbow Towers Hotel & Conference Centre
Harare, Zimbabwe
📅 23 – 25 September 2026
CONFERENCE THEME
FOSTERING EXCELLENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH EFFECTIVE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS: BEST PRACTICES, CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SADC REGION
In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, the quality of higher education is central to national development, economic competitiveness, and social justice within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. As higher education institutions (HEIs) respond to technological transformation, stakeholder expectations, and changing labour market demands, effective internal and external quality assurance (QA) systems have become indispensable.
The 7th SAQAN Conference provides a regional platform to strengthen QA systems, promote excellence, and foster collaboration across the SADC region. The conference will showcase best practices, identify critical success factors, address shared challenges, and explore emerging opportunities to advance quality assurance in higher education.
1. Main Objectives of the Conference
The conference aims to:
- Promote best practices and innovation in internal and external QA systems across SADC.
- Identify and analyze critical success factors, enablers, and challenges in implementing sustainable QA frameworks.
- Explore the role of digital transformation, emerging technologies, and data-driven approaches in enhancing QA effectiveness.
- Strengthen stakeholder engagement, regional collaboration, and policy alignment to foster inclusive and harmonized QA systems.
2. Rationale
A regional conference on fostering excellence through effective QA systems is essential to:
• Address Common Challenges
HEIs in the SADC region face shared challenges including limited resources, staff resistance, data quality issues, bureaucratic processes, limited expertise, and alignment with international standards. This conference provides a platform to develop context-specific, collaborative solutions.
• Share Best Practices
Participants will exchange successful models in institutional self-assessment, program review, student feedback systems, accreditation, audits, curriculum development, and faculty development.
• Promote Harmonization and Standardization
The conference will contribute to aligning QA standards across SADC, enhancing qualification comparability, student and staff mobility, and regional integration.
• Build Capacity
Workshops and thematic sessions will enhance knowledge and skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating QA systems.
• Foster Collaboration and Networking
The conference will bring together policymakers, QA agencies, HEI leaders, faculty, students, and industry representatives to strengthen partnerships.
• Respond to Global Trends
Discussions will address digital transformation, AI in QA, online and blended learning, competency-based education, and internationalization.
• Align with Regional Priorities
Improving higher education quality is central to SADC’s socio-economic development agenda.
3. Sub-Themes and Focus Areas
1. Strengthening Internal Quality Assurance Mechanisms
- Effective internal QA policies and practices
- Institutional self-assessment and program reviews
- Faculty development and leadership commitment
- Cultivating a culture of quality and continuous improvement
2. Enhancing External Quality Assurance
- Accreditation, audits, and evaluation best practices
- Harmonization of QA frameworks across SADC
- Promoting QA interoperability and mobility
- Addressing compliance challenges
3. Innovation and Technology in Quality Assurance
- Leveraging technology and data analytics
- QA in online and blended learning
- Digital tools for monitoring and reporting
- AI and emerging technologies in QA
4. Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
- Engaging students, faculty, employers, and communities
- Partnerships between HEIs, QA agencies, and industry
- Advocacy and awareness initiatives
- Regional networking strategies
5. Critical Success Factors and Enablers
- Leadership and policy alignment
- Addressing resource constraints and resistance to change
- Leveraging innovation and collaboration
- Adapting QA models to diverse disciplines and learning modes
4. 2026 Conference Paper Options
1. Long Papers
- Abstract: 100–150 words
- Full Paper: Up to 6000 words (excluding abstract, including references)
- Submission Deadline: 27 March 2026
- Final Reworked Submission: 08 May 2026
- Email: saqan.conference@zimche.ac.zw
Long papers undergo double peer review. Accepted papers may be considered for publication in the inaugural SAQAN Journal for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, to be launched at the conference.
2. Short Papers
- Abstract: 100–150 words
- Full Paper: 1700 words (excluding abstract, including references)
- Submission Deadline: 27 March 2026
- Final Reworked Submission: 08 May 2026
- Email: saqan.conference@zimche.ac.zw
Short papers undergo peer review and highlight preliminary findings and research significance.
3. Poster Papers
- Abstract: 100–150 words
- Full Poster Paper: 1500 words
- Submission Deadline: 27 March 2026
- Final Reworked Submission: 08 May 2026
- Email: saqan.conference@zimche.ac.zw
Poster sessions will be scheduled within the official conference programme.
5. Registration Fees
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SADC & International Participants | USD 300.00 |
| SAQAN Member / Associated Member Institutions | USD 275.00 |
| Local Participants | USD 275.00 |
6. Banking Details
Account Name: Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education
Bank: Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe
Samora Machel Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe
Account Number: 914 000 6070 166
Swift Code: SBICZWHX
Alternatively, request an invoice via: finance@zimche.ac.zw
7. Accommodation
Accommodation information will be available on the ZIMCHE website:
🌐 www.zimche.ac.zw (SAQAN Conference section)
Available from 1 March 2026.
8. Further Information
For enquiries, please contact:
Mrs Tsitsi Goredema
📞 +263 772 393 603
📧 tgoredema@zimche.ac.zw
Ms Florence Mutanhaurwa
📞 +263 773 445 986
📧 fmutanhaurwa@zimche.ac.zw
Join Us
Be part of the movement shaping the future of higher education in the SADC region. Engage with thought leaders, share transformative ideas, and contribute to sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive quality assurance systems.
We look forward to welcoming you to Harare in September 2026.
