Students can now transfer between EA universities

University students from the East African Community can now transfer their credits to another institution in the region.

The university regulatory bodies under the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) in collaboration with German Academic Exchange Service is reviewing courses and programmes being offered among member states.

“This means a student taking a course at the University of Dar es Salaam can transfer while in second year, and continue the course at the University of Nairobi,” said Everett Standa, the secretary to Kenya’s Commission for Higher Education.

Under the Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (CATS) endorsed by Uganda’s National Council for Higher Education, the Commission for Higher Education in Kenya and the Tanzania Commission for Universities, teaching of science courses such medicine, agriculture, engineering and basic science will conform to uniform minimum standards.

“It will also create positive relationships among students and staff of these universities since they will have common knowledge,” said Cats regional co-ordinator Michel Lejeune.

The harmonisation process involves subject experts from different universities offering similar programmes coming together to evaluate the courses.

According to Prof Standa, 47 out of the 64 public and private universities in the five member states are taking part in the programme which is being conducted on voluntary basis.

The decisions were made during a three-day conference on quality assurance in universities in the region, held in Nairobi last week.

The Rockefeller Foundation funded the project, which was initiated in 2007.

It is expected to accelerate the growth of the East African Community, where student movements account for a significant portion of annual migration with Uganda being a favoured destination.

But disparities in education standards has led to instances where qualifications can be questioned.

By Peter Mwai and Esther Opade