African universities urged to support quality standards in AI era
Tag: General news
Published On: June 22, 2026
The Director of the Global Quality Assurance Association (GQAA), Dr Violet Makuku, has urged African universities to develop and re-evaluate systems that will support their effective use of Artificial Intelligence.
She observed that as Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into teaching, learning and research, such systems should help institutions maintain standards and credibility while reaping the benefits of AI and innovation, rather than simply focusing on identifying shortcomings.
Dr. Makuku made the call at the 4th International Quality Assurance symposium in Accra.
The three-day ceremony, which was organised by the GQAA, was on the theme, “The practical, feasible and collegial implementation of quality assurance in the age of Artificial Intelligence: Walking the quality assurance talk and eliminating the ‘Policing’ tag.”
The three-day ceremony, which was organised by the GQAA, was on the theme, “The practical, feasible and collegial implementation of quality assurance in the age of Artificial Intelligence: Walking the quality assurance talk and eliminating the ‘Policing’ tag.”
Background
The GQAA is a non-profit professional association that promotes quality assurance, institutional effectiveness and continuous improvement through training, research and professional development initiatives.
Dr. Makuku, who is the Director of GQAA and a quality assurance expert, stressed that quality assurance, which focused on maintaining standards in areas such as teaching, examinations, research, and general administration, must evolve to keep pace with advances in technology.
She said the symposium was designed to provide a platform for practitioners, researchers and higher education leaders to share experiences, learn from one another and explore emerging trends affecting the sector.
She said the symposium was designed to provide a platform for practitioners, researchers and higher education leaders to share experiences, learn from one another and explore emerging trends affecting the sector.
“Previous editions of the symposium had provided valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing and professional development.
I am confident that this year's gathering would build on those successe,s", she added.
Platform
I am confident that this year's gathering would build on those successe,s", she added.
Platform
A Professor at the Institute of Distance Education and University-Wide Coordinator of the University of Eswatini, Prof. Karen Ferreira-Meyers, who was at the function, described the gathering as an important platform for professional engagement and collaboration among quality assurance practitioners from different countries.
“As a returning participant, I look forward to learning more from colleagues across the continent and implementing findings in my institution,” she said.