SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT – 7th SOUTHERN AFRICAN QUALITY ASSURANCE NETWORK (SAQAN) CONFERENCE
(Second Announcement)
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
The 7th SAQAN Conference continues to provide a regional platform for advancing quality assurance (QA) in higher education across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). As institutions respond to evolving technological, economic, and social demands, strengthening internal and external QA systems remains critical to ensuring relevance, excellence, and global competitiveness.
This second announcement provides updated timelines and additional details for participation, including revised submission deadlines for conference papers.
1. Main Objectives
The conference aims to:
- Promote best practices and innovation in QA systems across SADC
- Identify critical success factors, enablers, and implementation challenges
- Explore digital transformation and data-driven QA approaches
- Strengthen stakeholder engagement and regional collaboration
2. Call for Papers – UPDATED IMPORTANT DATES
📌 Submission Deadlines (Revised)
- Abstract & Full Paper Submission Deadline: 5 June 2026
- Final Submission (Reworked Papers): 31 July 2026
- Submission Email: saqan.conference@zimche.ac.zw
These updated dates replace the earlier deadlines and provide extended time for researchers and practitioners to contribute.
3. Conference Paper Options
1. Long Papers
- Abstract: 100–150 words
- Full Paper: Up to 6000 words (excluding abstract, including references)
- Double peer-reviewed
- Eligible for publication in the SAQAN Journal for Quality Assurance in Higher Education
2. Short Papers
- Abstract: 100–150 words
- Full Paper: 1700 words (excluding abstract, including references)
- Focus on preliminary findings and research insights
3. Poster Papers
- Abstract: 100–150 words
- Full Poster Paper: 1500 words
- Presented during dedicated poster sessions
4. Sub-Themes
- Internal Quality Assurance Systems
- External QA: Accreditation and Harmonization
- Digital Transformation and Innovation in QA
- Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
- Critical Success Factors in QA Implementation
5. Registration
💳 Registration Fees
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SADC & International Participants | USD 300.00 |
| SAQAN Member Institutions | USD 275.00 |
| Local Participants | USD 275.00 |
📝 Register Online
6. Banking Details
Account Name: Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education
Bank: Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe
Account Number: 914 000 6070 166
Swift Code: SBICZWHX
📧 Alternatively request an invoice: finance@zimche.ac.zw
7. Accommodation
Accommodation packages are available via the ZIMCHE website:
🌐 https://zimche.ac.zw
(See SAQAN Conference section)
8. Contact Information
Mrs Tsitsi Goredema
📞 +263 772 393 603
📧 tgoredema@zimche.ac.zw
Ms Florence Mutanhaurwa
📞 +263 773 445 986
📧 fmutanhaurwa@zimche.ac.zw
Join Us in Harare
Be part of this important regional dialogue shaping the future of quality assurance in higher education. Engage with experts, share research, and contribute to building resilient, innovative, and harmonized QA systems across the SADC region.
